Quick Takes: 8/22/05

• I’d be more excited about the L.A. Times move toward podcasting, but the fact is the podcast is the only part of the website there’s an RSS feed for. As my grandma used to say, come in or stay out but shut the damn door already.
• Even more rational for Microsoft’s proposed shift away from the “RSS” moniker even as it finally embraces the technology. I never thought the term “internet” was all that explanatory but it surely didn’t make me afraid of it or hesitant to use it. Make no mistake that this is all about Gates & Co. trying to brand the technology as their own and not out of any philanthropic goal of pleasing the consumer.
• Oh, and Google doesn’t really like the name RSS either.
• I could not agree with Mike Manuel’s call for a mash-up of PR, Marketing and Advertising sensibilites if I tried. Without a fully rounded perspective of how to create and disseminate a message you’re lost.
• Sometimes I too suffer from Irritable Male Syndrome.
• Jeremy Pepper revisits his “Can Blogs Be Sued For Libel?” musings.
• What is the future of podcasting?
• Speaking of which, the Oxford English Dictionary has added “podcast“
• Always an important rule of thumb: Engage brain before hitting “Send”, especially if you’re trying to pitch something to an e-mail weary blogger.

Movie Marketing Madness: The Baxter

The story of what happens to the nice guy who never gets the girl, The Baxter is an unconventional romantic comedy. Perenially unlucky in love, accountant Elliot Sherman (Michael Showalter) meets his dream girl (Elizabeth Banks) only to find out she’s settling for him because she doesn’t think she can be with the love of her life. It’s only through the help of Cecil (Michelle Williams), a temp in Elliot’s office, that Elliot learns to embrace who he is.

The Poster

Am I the only one who looked at this poster and initially thought this was a British film? Is it just because of the hat Elliot wears? And why couldn’t there be more Elizabeth Banks? In fact I think all posters should feature Banks, regardless of whether she’s in the movie or not.

The Trailer

If it’s possible to oversell a movie then this trailer does just that. It’s about 2:30 long and that’s about a minute too long. The movie has an original enough concept but the trailer hammers it home so deadeningly that not only to do you wind up feeling like you’ve seen the movie but that it’s no longer interesting. The leads seem charming enough but I just don’t think it sells the movie very well.

The Website

There’s very little of note on the movies’ website. The usual suspects are there in the form of About, Cast/Filmmakers and the Trailer. The section labeled Journal is still tagged as “Coming Soon” despite the fact that we’re four days out from the movies’ premiere in New York and Los Angeles. Goodies has some fun “Postcards” and ten production stills but that’s it. If you’re a journalist there is a section at the bottom for Press Assets, including a high-res poster and a PDF of “Press Notes”. In the true independent spirit there is a link for Tickets and Showtimes showing where and when the movie will be opening around the country.

Overall

It’s an alright campaign but just a bit blah. That’s supposed to be the impression people come away with of the main character, not have of the movie before it opens. It looks funny enough but, as I said, the trailer hits the concept behind the story a bit too heavily for my taste. I know this is an independent film that doesn’t have a huge budget but they could have done a bit more to help The Baxter break out from the crowd.