Publicity
Publicity –Publicity
Recently we have been inundated with publicists. But, I get it, I get it. Its not enough to make a good film if now one sees it! You have to learn how to best publicize and market your film and like all things this is a skill. Kerrie, now a freelance publicist outlined the most important elements of putting together your publicity material as follows:
1) Aim/Objective of piece.
2) Target Audience.
3) Strength and weakness of project (Kerrie advises outlining your weakness, and combating them before other people do, I think this is just good business management in any field)
4) Pitch
5) Multimedia platforms that might be used.
6) Evaluation, evaluate whether your efforts have been successful or not after the project is complete.
However, more than anything the one point that Kerrie kept coming back to was Photos, Photos, and Photos. She felt that photos where one of the greatest weapons used to publicize ones work. Photos are what get people interested and capture their attention to actually read an article. Furthermore, she felt that hero photos, which are staged photos, as opposed to still taken during performances where more powerful.
In article handed to us by an ABC publicist representative the first line reads “ the single most important element in ensuring your documentary receives maximum press coverage is the quality and strength of the stills you provide as part of the press kit”. So as one can see the point is stressed and re-stressed.
Our ABC representative Yasmin Kentera went on to highlight the consistency that should be used in one’s press kit. The style of the font should carry through as well as certain images which are being used to sell the idea. What I also liked that Yasmin said, and that as an event coordinator I have always used a lot of, is premiums. Premiums, associated objects to get peoples attention should when even possible be sent with the press kit.
Kentera then went on to discuss what she felt should be included and hightlighted in the press kit:
1) Awesome cover to get peoples attention.
2) Tag line.
3) Short and long synopsis.
4) Character breakdowns/character synopsis.
5) Possibly use some quates from the actors themselves.
6) Cast list
7) Information about the film maker.
8) Any other selling points from other cast or crew.
So as one can see, there really is no set formula except make sure you have great photos. More than anything a press kit is simply about identifying what you believe your main selling points in this particular project are and selling those!
Okay, so this brings me to my short film and what I believe my selling points are. Well I do believe I am on to a new genre or at least continuing to make layers on an already existent genre. I feel like I have really looked into Baz Luhrmans style but I have also looked into Bollywood style and how some people are trying to make this more accessible for everyone. My style tries to combine them both. And, lets not forget dance is currently the new craze! Every time you turn around there is a new dance show, so lets hope I am on to something. I do have high expectations.
