Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Blogger’s Background


Bloggers can give their opinions about any given subject, regardless of expertise, experience, or popularity.
Focus Features has a provided a space for visitors to learn about the bloggers that work for the company, entitled Behind the Blog. Various questions are answered by each blogger twice a month revealing information readers might not have known otherwise.
James Hansen writes the blog: Out 1 Film Journal. Hansen’s blogs are reviews about films, and the occasional bookish article that he admits appeals to a smaller demographic. However, readers may not know that Hansen started the blog while working on his master's degree in film studies at Columbia University, or that he prefers to write in an office setting, rather than a cafĂ©.
Kim Morgan is also revealed through Behind the Blog (even though she hates the word and prefers the term site). Morgan’s site: Sunset Gun, describes mostly classic or eclectic cinema and directors. But the Behind the Blog is able to tell readers that Morgan wrote for a daily newspaper in Oregon before moving to Los Angeles.
“I dropped everything and essentially, left in the middle of the night, and in the snow. With a U-Haul and a car hitch," Morgan said.
Focus Features clearly takes pride in their employees by dedicating a section of the site specifically to understand and learn about the bloggers. This will make an impact on readers, by using the human interest tactic. Focus Features maintains a positive image by displaying the importance of each person involved with the company.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Employees of Focus Pick Their Favoritve Clips


Focus Features dedicates a section of their site in the Media Room for “Staff Pick,” where employees submit their favorite clips from the company’s productions.
            Each selection receives a short explanation from the employee of why the clip is their favorite.
Anyone that admires film or the film making process can appreciate the consideration employees give to these films.
It is an interesting strategy used by Focus Features for several reasons. First, visitors of the site are already curious about films, but by adding the element of a favorite clip it is a more personal approach. These employees work on the films directly and can provide personal insights on what each scene means to them, as well as memories of the production.
David Brooks the president of Worldwide Marketing for Focus Features recommends Lost in Translation.
“Throughout the course of working on any given film we as marketers have to see the movie multiple times. You can always tell the best ones-those that get better and touch you deeper with each viewing. Lost in Translation was one of those films. I found it profoundly, tender and moving, and ultimately universal.” 

Here is Brooks’ favorite clip from the film
Lost in Translation
viewing it in full screen is much better enjoy!

Release for 'The Kids Are All Right'


Focus uses their current film release to keep fans and readers up to date on all of their latest films.
Nick Dawson explains that Focus Features’ “The Kids Are All Right” is playing on the opening night in this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival.
“The film will be released by Focus Features on July 7, kicks off the fest on June 17,” Dawson said. Coincidently the film takes place in Los Angeles.
Dawson uses strong quotes from film experts to promote the release. This strategy lets readers decide for themselves instead of Focus Features employees urging everyone to see the new film.
The article mentions the LA Film Festival’s artistic director David Ansen’s description of the film. “Kids, of course was one of the big success stories at this year’s Sundance Film Festival [where Focus Features brought the film],” Ansen said.  He continued to explain the movie as “the best of American indie filmmaking.”
The release included additional links about the film festival, and the official site for the film, “The Kids Are All Alright.” A simple yet concise explanation of the newest film release is a fresh approach by bringing the readers what they really want.
Focus Features uses a different outlook on the release. Instead of bogging down readers with opinions or unrealistic views of a film, Dawson uses facts as well as experts in the field to prove to readers the film is worthy of their attention.
The Kids Are All Right Trailer Below 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Updates are Crucial for Focus Features Site


Focus Features uses several elements on their Website to promote the company’s films or actors. However, consistency for the site needs to be addressed. Focus Features needs to update information on the site, specifically in the “People in Film” section.
This section on the site features interviews and reviews of actors, which reveal information on each individual. The section lets readers take a more personal look at famous and up and coming actors. This is a smart approach for Focus Features to add to the site. But after introducing this section to fans and visitors it should not be forgotten.  
This is a pivotal part of how users find information about the company. Not only does this affect users, but it also affects the company’s reputation. The company’s last story in this section was dated February 13, 2009. A year and a little over two months later Focus Features fans are still waiting.
Improvements need to be done for this section. If posting in the “People in Film” is not updated, the company should consider removing it completely. Although this is only in one section of the site, sporadic visitors could stumble upon this section and judge the entire site based on the inconsistency.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Focus Promotes Gay and Lesbian Film Festival



Focus Features promotes the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2010 a 10 day event presented by Home Box Office.
                The event started on April 23 and will last until May 2 this year. A variety of films will be shown including the French language Xavier Dolan’s “I Killed My Mother.” This is a brilliantly captivating dark-comedy about a young Montreal high school student Hubert, who fights and argues with his mother, Chantal. After Hubert is romantically and sexually involved with another boy in his class Antonin, Hubert and Chantal relationship becomes toxic.
The preview for the movie is artistically sinister claiming everyone at some point in their life has hated their mother. “I Killed My Mother” is just one of the many creatively crafted films featured in the festival.
Focus Features promotes the festival in order to appeal to a diverse demographic. They can maintain their current fans who appreciate creative films, while reaching out to fans of the Gay and Lesbian film festival. The public relations team at Focus Features comes up with innovative ways to promote film while promoting the company. By branching out to a different genre of film, it lets fans of Focus Features know the company incorporates all types of cinematography.
 Check out the preview for the movie here.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Focus on Green


Just in time for Earth Day the team at Focus Features worked hard to reduce their carbon footprint.
The site features a large icon the reads “Green lives here. Green is universal. Make a difference click here.” The link brings the visitor to the Green is Universal site. Visitors can take a quiz to find out their shade of green (I’m forest green by the way). Another icon asks visitors “How will you help the Earth?” and provides a link to tell everyone on Facebook.  
Several different links provides information for visitors to test their knowledge on everything green. Even the application “iBloom” lets users plant a virtual seed and tend to its needs, in order to promote the green theme.
A “Green Auction: A Bid to Save the Earth” is an organization raising awareness and funds to protect the Earth. The Green is Universal has teamed up with this organization and all proceeds will benefit the four leading non-profits Conservation International, The Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, and The Central Park Conservancy.
Focus Features also provides a link to Gordon Ampel’s Green Blog. He is the Vice President of Global Operations, and according to the site “he works to spread environmental consciousness throughout the company’s offices globally and individually.”
But Focus Features doesn’t stop there. The 2009 movie “Away We Go” is also featured on the site. Although it isn’t exactly new, it’s still relevant to the going green theme, because the entire movie production went green.
A video is featured on the site explaining why and how the movie production went green. The video does run a tad long (6 minutes and 35 seconds to be exact), but Focus Features tries to go over several different topics on the green theme. In addition, more links on related green articles can also be found on the site.
Focus Features uses the impact strategy to grab the attention of visitors to the site. By providing links, games, quizzes and more makes the visitors feel like they are a part of the green movement, this would also qualify under human interest. These are two strategies Focus Features uses quite frequently. Timeliness is another tactic being used to promote Earth Day. Furthermore, personal appearances would also qualify for this public relations tactic, by showing the actors and movie set going green. Gordon Ampel would be considered personal appearance as well because he is an expert in the field.
These public relations tactics were executed perfectly. Focus Features had every detail planned out in order to show fans that they care about the environment. This could potentially help Focus Features receive new fans and earn respect from the many others who contribute to help the environment by going green. 

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Flashback Series Uses Public Relation Tactics


            Ever wonder what happened on this day 20 or more years ago? Well Focus Features has it covered. The team at Focus Features has a “Flashback” series that explores what happened in movie history.
            Recent attention for “Flashback” series is given to the "Annie Hall" release on April 20, 1977. The article by Scott Macaulay described the film to familiarize readers and possibly introduce it to a younger audience.
“[The movie’s plot is about] an awkward guy, a kooky and unpredictable girl, a structure that playfully jumps backward and forward in time,” according to the article.
            The “Flashback” then compares the film to the Marc Webb’s 2009 release “500 Days of Summer.” The two films are put side by side because the concept is similar in plot and features moments of the relationship occurring out of order. The innovative comedies also share the familiar theme of “boy gets girl and then boy loses girl.” 
            Several quotes from "Annie Hall" are mentioned and inside jokes from the movie appear throughout the article. This public relations tactic is one of human interest, and timeliness. It bringing nostalgia for the generation it became popular in, as well as enticing others to watch. The “Flashback” series offers these qualities to Focus Features readers and film fans alike. The public relations team at Focus Features uses these strategies in order to bring more readers, from every age group. The “Flashback” series is on the right track to accomplish Focus Features’ goals.