Today I stumbled across a neat example of an upcoming movie, Tontine Massacre, using social media to drive hype. (Think Paranormal Activity.)
Well, I actually found it via an old school method: an ad. But it was via an ad on my Haunt Jaunts blog. One that cost them, literally, all of three cents to post.
So they combined the old with the new there, but they’ve also been making the Twitter and Facebook rounds.
It’s their Facebook method I’m most excited and impressed about though.
The ad on Haunt Jaunts led me to their “Watch Trailer” Tontine Massacre Facebook page tab. Because I like both Reality TV shows and horror movies, it automatically appealed to me.
The trailer evoked flashbacks to Paranormal Activity’s trailer a là showing audience reactions during a screening. They might be copycating that technique a smidge there, but hey. If it’s effective, why not? (And I do believe that was a very effective component of Paranormal Activity’s hype machine. It was provocative. You wanted to know what they were watching that made them jump out of their seats.)
However, something fresh that’s entirely their own spin (or at least this is the first time I’m seeing it; I have to admit I don’t follow all that many movies on Facebook): they’re offering a free sneak peek on July 1.
To be granted “exclusive access” all a person has to do is “like” their page. The viewing will be online. If there’s enough demand from that, guess what happens next? Yep, it’ll hit theaters nationwide.
I love an underdog, but ultimately the proof is always in the pudding. Let’s hope they whipped up a tantalizing batch that has people demanding more.
