Media AS Coursework Blog: My Real Thing

Dear Readers,

Disney - Star Wars - Dec 16th 2015

"Countless fans around the world are in a state of vigilance waiting for the release of new poster art, new trailers and other titbits and information" said Paul DERGARABEDIAN. "it's hard to imagine any other franchise that could evoke a level of passion, enthusiasm and excitement."

How are they promoting their release??

1. Spin-Off releases:
The already announced spin-off – or “anthology film”, as they are known to Star Wars aficionados – Rogue One, which will arrive in cinemas in 2016.

That movie, directed by Gareth Edwards and staring The Theory of Everything’s Felicity Jones, will outline a rebel mission to steal the plans of the Death Star, a key plot element of the first film in 1977. Levels of interest in the rumour this week that Rogue One will also feature the reappearance of Darth Vader, the black-clad villain of the original series, only confirmed the power of Star Wars nostalgia.
Which so happened to be the same director of MONSTERS - Vertigo - this shows how he started off in a small production company and moved on to larger things!

2. Promotional characters everywhere:
We went to Birmingham Fashion Show on the 5th of December and surprisingly a storm trooper came out - we guess this is for advertisement but it was quite funny! Clever advertising!

Also on X FACTOR final - 13th December - Simon Cowell arrived on stage with STORM TROOPERS. This is promotion was a last minute excitement storm to get everyone excited for the release date 16th December.

3. Hundreds of trailers:

These might not even be the trailers for the movie but by naming them that they get publicity... Furthermore the official trailer got over a million views in the first 24 hours! And at the moment it reaches around a staggering 68,000,000 views!

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' TV Spend at $66 Million and Rising

Here is my trailer for it:

4. Toy merchandise

McDonalds is a favourite place of film companies to promote their characters - like the HAPPY MEAL always contains a toy whether it be for a movie or not, so star wars have previously used McDonalds:

Also Inside the Toy Marketing of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Here is video that explains the toy merchandise for this coming movie:

5. Food influences:

DARTH VADER BURGER
Unfortunately, you can't get this promotion in the US, but for Star Wars fans in France the European-based fast-food chain BURGER KING has a limited edition DARTH VADER BURGER with a midnight black bu.

Also the use of star wars on packaging of other products to promote there movie, even after the release date as these were aired after the release on 18th December: