Chapter 164: Publicity Method
Although "Saving Private Ryan" is confirmed to participate in next year's Oscar competition, the film's primary goal is still to be released in the summer.
In order to promote the film, the film spent 20 million US dollars in publicity and distribution expenses.
With the expansion of the theater market and the increase in publicity channels, the cost of publicity and distribution of a commercial film has increased significantly.
The theory that the aroma of wine is not afraid of the depth of the alley is no longer applicable to the film industry.
An excellent movie should be known to more people, thus prompting more fans to be interested in the movie and go to the cinema.
And all of this can only be achieved if strong publicity is established.
Since the beginning of April, "Saving Private Ryan" has successively held preview screenings for theaters and media critics, and has received unanimous praise.
Even film critic Kenneth Turan, who has been critical of Gilbert Jr.'s films before, gave the film a pretty good review after watching the review screening.
“After trying it out in multiple genres and directions, I’m glad little Gilbert has finally made a change.
This well-known young director in the United States has finally taken a firm step in exploring the artistic direction of film.
Different from other previous works, "Saving Private Ryan" is a war movie worthy of leaving its name in film history. What it gives us is not only a reflection on the cruelty of war, but also an exploration of the inner humanity of ordinary soldiers.
The pain suffered by soldiers during the war will remain deep in the memories of those who have experienced this period of history, leaving an indelible shadow in their hearts.
Amidst the strong sound effects of the film, the audience still feels as if they are experiencing it themselves, leaving the audience with infinite food for thought. "
It's rare that Kenneth Turan actually gave a good review. It's really not easy, and it also proves that "Saving Private Ryan" is indeed very popular with film critics.
However, while praising it, Kenneth Turan still found some minor flaws, thinking that the film had too many war scenes.
If the war scenes could be shortened, the quality of the film would be better and more outstanding.
If this suggestion is followed, film critics will like it, but movie fans may not necessarily like it.
In fact, many film critics were quite surprised. After all, based on Gilbert Jr.'s previous experience in making films, everyone thought that this was at most a World War II version of "The Island".
As a popcorn movie, "The Island" can be said to be of high quality, but except for a few film critics who don't know what the purpose is, most film critics don't like this film.
But a popcorn commercial film director has actually produced a film with great ideological connotation. When the film critics were previewed by the media, the expressions on the faces of those film critics were quite wonderful.
Sofia also said to little Gilbert: "I really want to take a photo and record the expressions of those film critics. It's so interesting."
Sophia was criticized so much by critics that she never forgot it.
An A-level production with an investment of 80 million US dollars, it is destined that this movie is mainly based on the feelings of movie fans, and everything else is secondary.
In other respects, little Gilbert needs no further reminder. The publicity and distribution department also specially arranged a preview screening for World War II veterans, especially those with experience in the Normandy landings.
When they saw the twenty-five-minute beach landing at the beginning of the film, many veterans couldn't help but moisten their eyes, as if they were seeing the turbulent years of the past.
A veteran said in an interview at the end of the preview: "Yes, the reality of the film is completely beyond my imagination.
When we first landed in Normandy, the situation was so tragic, even more tragic than in the movie.
Thanks to Little Gilbert, he restored a history that is extremely real and that people should remember. "
Several rounds of preview screenings on the eve of the release have achieved a very good reputation. Theater representatives gave the film an A+ rating, and 98 media and film critics gave the film an average score of 92.
All this seems to indicate how popular "Saving Private Ryan" is.
On the eve of the release, the crew and creators were not idle either. Little Gilbert specially rescued DiCaprio from the misery of the big ship and let him participate in the film's promotional activities.
Of course, after the publicity mission is over, Xiao Lizi still has to return to the Big Ship crew and continue to suffer.
As soon as DiCaprio met, he complained to Little Gilbert: "Thank God, I am finally out of the tyrant's control."
Little Gilbert smiled half-heartedly: "What? It's not pleasant to be on the set filming?"
"It's more than just unpleasant," DiCaprio spat, "I almost died on the set, it was so tortured. I have never felt so tired from filming before. This is the first time."
Little Gilbert was also helpless and could only comfort him: "Leo, if you keep persisting, I believe that together with this movie, you will leave a glorious mark in the history of film."
"I'm afraid it will be difficult," Xiao Lizi shook his head.
"What? What happened?"
DiCaprio explained: "I heard that the crew did not have enough investment, so Director Cameron asked 20th Century Fox for another 50 million US dollars in production funds.
He also said that if he was not given production funds, the crew would shut down. "
"Uh!" Little Gilbert was speechless. This was indeed something a truck driver could do.
Now 20th Century Fox is riding a tiger and it's hard to get off. If they don't give money, all the early investment will be in vain. If they give money, it's like there's an invisible bottomless pit, and you don't know when it will end.
DiCaprio said mysteriously: "I heard that 20th Century Fox is interested in changing directors, and the first choice is you."
"Me?" Little Gilbert shook his head and said, "Director Cameron has been preparing for this project for so long. He has already planned how to shoot it and how well the crew will work together.
If you change directors at this time, the risk of failure will greatly increase. "
"Now from Fox Pictures' point of view, the possibility of failure will increase if the director is not changed. Everyone is a little afraid that the box office tragedy of "Waterworld" will happen again." DiCaprio said.
The film "Waterworld" is produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The cost of the film is US$150 million. Including publicity and distribution expenses, it is probably close to US$200 million.
However, when the film was released last year, it only received US$264 million at the global box office, which was extremely dismal.
Although most of the funds Universal Pictures invested in this film were solved through financing, it still caused a lot of losses to Universal Pictures.
Looking at James Cameron's attitude, Big Ship may surpass "Waterworld" at any time and become the most expensive film in film history.
If this fails, James Cameron can basically announce his retirement from Hollywood.
So 20th Century Fox is also afraid and has already begun to consider its options.
Regardless of whether Big Ship can be successfully produced and released, little Gilbert feels that he still has to be prepared. It's not that he is planning to take over as director. After all, he is also very busy and doesn't want to take on a project that he is not familiar with. If 20th Century Fox were interested in seeking investment, he could invest some money.
This is a talk show with good ratings in the United States. Gilbert Jr. brought Tom Hanks and DiCaprio on the show to promote "Saving Private Ryan".
The host of the show is a fat, cute woman. In the last episode of the show, the fat girl forcibly kissed Tom Cruise.
According to her, she has no resistance to handsome men.
Therefore, Xiao Li Zi was forcefully kissed by the fat girl host on the show. Little Gilbert hid behind Tom Hanks and prevented the fat girl host from succeeding.
If this were a Chinese variety show in the previous life, the host's behavior would definitely be considered outrageous, and it would be a hot search topic. Maybe the fans of the guests would even criticize the host.
But in North America, these are program effects and increase program ratings.
It is said that viewers watch this talk show just to see how the fat girl host forcibly kisses the handsome guys in Hollywood, so DiCaprio is not the only handsome guy who has been forcibly kissed.
On the show, Tom Hanks also talked about his original intention of collaborating with Little Gilbert: "When I first received the invitation, I was quite surprised. This is Little Gilbert. Who doesn't want to collaborate with him? I am no exception. ”
When talking about this movie, Tom Hanks said again: "I guarantee that the movie is very exciting, with many big scenes. In order to shoot the opening scene, we rehearsed for two or three months to achieve the effect that little Gilbert wanted.
Movie fans will know that you will like it if you go to the cinema. "
DiCaprio also talked about his feelings about working with Little Gilbert: "Gilbert and I are good friends, and he talked to me about this project when we were fishing together.
I was so interested that I begged to be a part of the project and ended up playing a role.
It’s the movie that everyone knows as “Saving Private Ryan,” and the character I play is Ryan. "
The host of Fat Girl also asked little Gilbert the same question, and little Gilbert responded calmly: "When I was in the initial stage of script creation, the first thing that came to my mind was Tom Hanks.
Fortunately, Tom also liked the script and finally agreed to work with me. "
Similar interviews and program recordings all follow a fixed promotional formula.
This kind of half-truth is mainly to tell the fans how well the crew worked together, how happy everyone was to cooperate with each other, how exciting the film is, and you should hurry up and watch it.
It's impossible to go up and hype things like Tom Hanks quarreling with Gilbert Jr. during filming, or DiCaprio getting into a fight with other crew members, right?
Although this kind of publicity may have some effect, it is too unconventional. Generally speaking, as long as there is nothing wrong with the brain, it will not be promoted like this.
Preview screenings, program promotions, trailers, posters, offline advertising, etc. are all in full swing.
The overwhelming publicity tells movie fans that the annual summer movie is coming. Fans are asked to prepare their money and prepare to enter the cinema.
Days passed like this, and at the end of April the crew and creators rushed to France to prepare for the premiere at the Caen Peace Memorial in Normandy, France.
This is the first time that a Little Gilbert film has left North America and held an overseas premiere. Considering the subject matter of the film, it can be said to be of great significance.
The Caen Peace Memorial Museum in Normandy is located in the northwest suburbs of the city. It is the first memorial related to the Normandy landing battle.
The memorial hall has a simple shape, and on one side outside the hall are the national flags of the countries that participated in the war.
The glass wall on one side stores stone carvings sent by various countries. The first one comes from Norway: "Son, defend the freedom your father won."
The message from the Netherlands is: "War means death, peace means life, and freedom means hope."
What the Americans sent was a sentence from Eisenhower's expedition order: "The eyes of the world are watching you..."
The Belgians wrote: "In the past we were united for freedom, now let us continue to be united for peace."
The large number of precious historical photos in the museum make people feel like they are back in the era of heavy artillery fire. Real objects such as replicas of aircraft and tanks, and farewell letters to soldiers who participated in the war attract visitors to stay for a long time.
Each visitor can also enjoy three documentary films. Using multimedia search equipment, visitors can easily find every detail of the Battle of Normandy.
"Saving Private Ryan" chose to hold its premiere here because the movie itself has a strong connection with Normandy and the Allied liberation of France.
Of course, the biggest reason is actually for the European market.
Although it is uncommon for Hollywood movies to hold premieres overseas, it does not mean that no film has ever done so, so "Saving Private Ryan" is not considered unconventional.
On May 2nd, the Caen Peace Memorial Hall was crowded with people, and there were many celebrities coming and going. It was obvious that the premiere held here was of high enough standards.
Little Gilbert's red carpet companion today is Sophie Marceau. This French rose was prepared early and set off to the scene with little Gilbert.
French movie fans are quite fond of this young director from Hollywood. Of course, it may be because of Sophie Marceau. In short, the cheers and applause were loud.
"It seems that you are still very popular in France," Sophie Marceau whispered in his ear while walking with little Gilbert on the red carpet.
"I don't think it's me, I think it might be you." Little Gilbert waved to the French fans and said, "You are the French Rose, I can't even imagine how many loyal fans you have. "
"Hey, I think the fans may be disappointed. The rose of France in their eyes has been plucked by an American." Sophie Marceau said, holding Little Gilbert's hand tighter, as if to make him Rub it into yourself.
During the interaction on the red carpet, little Gilbert cordially expressed his greetings to French fans.
"When I learned that my film had achieved good results in France, I was very touched." Little Gilbert said with a hint of sincerity: "Our two countries have different cultural genes and different languages, but the film is the best language.
Through the movie, I feel that my heart is with all the fans. "
After hearing these words, the fans on both sides of the red carpet were moved, and naturally they applauded and screamed.
Little Gilbert went on to talk about history: "Decades ago, we started here and liberated France together. Decades later, we watched movies together here to reminisce about those glorious past years.
May the world be peaceful and the friendship between the two countries last forever. "
Little Gilbert ended his speech, which was quite politically correct. There is nothing that can be done about it. The publicity department and public relations experts asked him to say this.
While movies are movies, politics has always been a background element in Hollywood.
You don’t have to be involved in politics, but you can’t ignore politics. This is the politics of Hollywood movies.
(End of chapter)