Filmmakers! Raise money or defer costs with Product Placement

While there are a lot of good points in this thread, and I do agree that product placement is something that needs to be handled with caution, it's definitely not the huge evil that it's sometimes made out to be (in my opinion).

Like anything of the other decisions that are to be made during the making of a film it's one that needs to be considered and weighed carefully. People make all kinds of decisions and compromises to deal with the financial limitations of such an expensive art form - most of the time we're looking for ways to do things cheaper, and product placement is simply one of the many tools in the producer's arsenal that will stretch the budget dollars as far as they can possibly go. Sure, sometimes it's done poorly - but often times it's seamless and to the benefit of everyone involved.

As a counterpoint to the 'Mac and Me' example....


"I'll be takin' these huggies, and whatever cash you got"

:)
 
Batutta said:
I think my point is that injecting ideas like marketability into the creative process is wrong.
Click to expand...

Then you will never make it to theaters.

You have to be focused on marketability of a film from its very inception (script). What are you going to put in the trailer? What is going into the commercials? On the box art? On the poster? If you don't have a bankable actor you need something else, what is that something else going to be?

Storytelling is an art form, and marketability translates to little micro-elements that can serve as a calling card for the full product. No one will know how great your story is until you can convince the first 2 weeks of patrons to see your film, after that the great story will fuel the word of mouth campaign that will sustain your theatrical run.

This has little to do with product placement in most cases. I'm currently struggling to get funding for a film that has an industry I thought would support the effort, but I'm $45K short and running out of time. I'd kill for product placement $$$ at this point...

Bob
 
Despite everything I've said, I would like to point out that I still think you should make the movie you want to make.

If you don't think you should think about marketability or demographics, then don't. It's voodoo no matter what, and lots of "market research" has come up short.

In the end you have to be proud of what you did, and if those factors make you question your integrity then so be it. You have to do what is right for you.

But Hollywood doesn't work that way.
 
Let me weigh in on this, and I may get some heat, but it won't be the first time :grin:

I think that product placment can be a good thing because it helps budget the film and you are providing a more real aspect to the audience. That being said, I understand where it could go overboard, I don't want to start every scene zommed in on a Coke can or box of Frosted Flakes, but if it is just in the scene (and the film is not overly drenched in them to the point that it is painfully obvious *cough* transformers *cough*) then I have no problem with it.

Alright, brace yourself, Nick... :violent5:
 
Bob Gruen said:
Then you will never make it to theaters.
Click to expand...

Untrue...There is a difference between selling something after it's been made and finding the marketable elements that already exist in your project and exploiting those, than changing your idea for no reason other than that it makes it more marketable. If you can find a bankable actor to star in your film who is right for it, great. Bankable actors are usually bankable actors because they are BETTER actors (yes, there are exceptions to everything). Now...obviously there are certain kinds of films that make more money than others, so I have no problem with someone consciously pursuing those kinds of films. But once that decision has been made, filmmakers should just concentrate on the aesthetic decisions needed in order to make the film good. Whether or not an idea works for the film should be the ultimate arbiter, and anything that compromises the quality of the project should be viewed with a wary eye.
 
If you wanna sell out cause you think it will give you a better chance of being successful or making money then you will do it. Others will have a philosophy that makes them not want to go there.

I don't see what the big deal is. Everyone's character and motivation is different.

I think it is wise to just go with the philosophy that fits you and stop worrying about what others do. Your conscience will let you know what works for you.
 
Jim Klatt said:
If you wanna sell out
Click to expand...
It would appear that such a loaded statement shows exactly where you stand, despite your protestations to the contrary
I don't see what the big deal is. Everyone's character and motivation is different.

I think it is wise to just go with the philosophy that fits you and stop worrying about what others do. Your conscience will let you know what works for you.
Click to expand...
 
If you sell someone space in your movie for a product or a place in exchange for money or usage you are selling out something to them.

Some people attach negative connotations to it some do not.

I do, but that doesn't mean you do, and that doesn't mean that I am right or you are right. It's what I am comfortable with.

You can phrase it anyway you want to, but we all are talking about the same thing on different levels anyway.
 
I think you only sell out if you let them dictate some part of the film's content. Product placement is usually inconsequential to anything other than set dressing.
 
Not really my business if someone wants to make a product integral to the plot. It's not like that's anything particularly new. It cheapens the film, but I'm not sweating it any. Their right to do so.
 
What does that mean?

Look, some movies being made with product integration doesn't diminish the art of film any more than Muzak diminishes music. If it's something you don't want to do, don't do it. But if someone wants to make a buck with it, then that's their bag.

Audiences will vote with their wallets.
 
Jim Klatt said:
If you sell someone space in your movie for a product or a place in exchange for money or usage you are selling out something to them.

Some people attach negative connotations to it some do not.

I do, but that doesn't mean you do, and that doesn't mean that I am right or you are right. It's what I am comfortable with.

You can phrase it anyway you want to, but we all are talking about the same thing on different levels anyway.
Click to expand...

"Selling" and "Selling out" are NOT the same thing. One implies lack of character or integrity.
 
Back at ya.

But I'll tell you what -- I'd rather watch a shameless placement of a Domino's box than a gorenography film.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top