Publicity and Marketing of Movies

CHAPTER

PUBLICITY AND MARKETING

or every big budget blockbuster that has viewers lining up outside

theaters, there are hundreds of otherwise excellent productions that

potential audiences never hear about. Sometimes all that separates the

blockbuster from the sleeper is the money to advertise. Some of those

responsible for getting the word out include:

· Personal Publicist: generate press coverage for a specific client or

clients.

· Studio Publicist: generate press coverage for the studio's finished

productions.

· Unit Publicist: generate press coverage during the filming of a

production.

· Unit or Still Photographer: photograph the production process for

publicity use.

Job Overview

The unit publicist is the marketing coordinator for a film that is in pro-

duction. "The unit publicist's job is to be with the movie as it is being

made," says unit publicist Cid Swank. During that time, they create mate-

rials that will help sell the movie to distributors and to the public. This

includes building a press kit with talent-approved stills shot during the

filming of the movie, artist biographies, press releases, and other market-

ing materials. "Basically, you're the one providing information to the

JOB TITLE: UNIT PUBLICIST

Publicity and Marketing of Movies - Page 1