Internet and Film Distribution

The internet has totally changed the way films are marketed

Pre internet Films were marketed in a very different way. In the golden age of hollywood the 40's and 50's film was marketed in print media as tv's were not widely available, when tv became a house hold commodity and advertisment on tv became available films were advertised on tv allowing them to reach a very widespread audience.

When the internet was developed and became available in households, it allowed films to advertising to target a huge global audience. Films started to use it in innovative ways, the first hugely succesful internet advertising campaign was 'The Blair Witch Project' this low budget film used a viral ad campaign including an elaborate mystery website which drew people in and involved them with the story. This made the film a huge amount of hype causing it to make a very large profit. Films can also be advertised due to the fact trailers are readily available on video sites such as YouTube this giant global network can distribute film to a global audience. A more recent example of a viral advertising campaign would be 'The Dark Knight' this film also had an elaborate website but it also developed into a huge global treasure hunt. people could figure out codes then find locations in the real world. They even used mobile phones hidden in cakes that when you rang a certain number found on the site would play a message from the joker. Even simple trailers now have a web address at the end for consumers to go to and find out more about the film. This level of intricate advertising shows how the internet has totally changed the view on advertising no longer is it a simple barrage of information it is some thing we as consumers are part of we have become prosumers of advertising