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 café.

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.

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