Advertising thoughts
Went to see "Kick Ass" tonight (if you're a fan of dark comedy and action, do check it out) and found the first movie posters for "The Last Airbender" outside and inside the theater along with one of those cardboard displays.
While I was doing my own internal eye rolling, I noticed a lot of kids around who were looking at all the different posters for the current and upcoming movies. Out of mild curiosity about their reactions, I watched them and a bunch of other kids (every group from 7-10 year olds and older) just to see what they gravitated to.
To my surprise (and internal delight), they all but ignored the ones for "TLA," instead running over to look at the ones for "Shrek 3," "Clash of the Titans," "The Grownups," "The Joneses," "Toy Story," "Eclipse" and even the upcoming "Robin Hood." I saw one or two pause for a moment to look at "TLA," but it was just a glance and then ran off. I never heard any of them getting excited for it or mentioning it at all.
Now, we've all seen the posters for the film. Dark, shadowy ect and I then look at what you typically think of for children's/young adult films. Bright colours. Easily identifiable characters. A sense of wonder/whimsy. "TLA" has distinct colurs, but the posters themselves are dark and characters are hidden in shadows and I think that it's a sign of a marketing plan that doesn't know what it's trying to market or who it's trying to market to. Are the characters hidden because they know that if they're shown as in say, a "Harry Potter" poster (where characters are easily seen), people will think that a bunch of white actors in Asian-ish outfits will look silly? Are they dark because of an "edgy" vibe that is better suited for a more serious adult oriented film?
I know at times Nick had issues trying to wrap their head around who exactly was watching "Avatar." They didn't seem to know what to do with a show that not only attracted young boys, but also girls and adults. Given that fundamental misunderstanding about the appeal of the show, are we seeing the same ham handed thinking towards the film both in the imagining of the film and it's marketing?
While I was doing my own internal eye rolling, I noticed a lot of kids around who were looking at all the different posters for the current and upcoming movies. Out of mild curiosity about their reactions, I watched them and a bunch of other kids (every group from 7-10 year olds and older) just to see what they gravitated to.
To my surprise (and internal delight), they all but ignored the ones for "TLA," instead running over to look at the ones for "Shrek 3," "Clash of the Titans," "The Grownups," "The Joneses," "Toy Story," "Eclipse" and even the upcoming "Robin Hood." I saw one or two pause for a moment to look at "TLA," but it was just a glance and then ran off. I never heard any of them getting excited for it or mentioning it at all.
Now, we've all seen the posters for the film. Dark, shadowy ect and I then look at what you typically think of for children's/young adult films. Bright colours. Easily identifiable characters. A sense of wonder/whimsy. "TLA" has distinct colurs, but the posters themselves are dark and characters are hidden in shadows and I think that it's a sign of a marketing plan that doesn't know what it's trying to market or who it's trying to market to. Are the characters hidden because they know that if they're shown as in say, a "Harry Potter" poster (where characters are easily seen), people will think that a bunch of white actors in Asian-ish outfits will look silly? Are they dark because of an "edgy" vibe that is better suited for a more serious adult oriented film?
I know at times Nick had issues trying to wrap their head around who exactly was watching "Avatar." They didn't seem to know what to do with a show that not only attracted young boys, but also girls and adults. Given that fundamental misunderstanding about the appeal of the show, are we seeing the same ham handed thinking towards the film both in the imagining of the film and it's marketing?