Promoting the Unknown
As reported by The Christian Post, yet another grassroots effort is throwing its weight behind promotion of the upcoming film version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This time, the effort appears tied into the music publishing industry. "A website called The Movement," reports the Post "is issuing an invitation for all C.S. Lewis fans to get involved in 'Team Narnia,' a special task force designed to help spread awareness for the upcoming film."
Team Narnia, like the 'Narniacs' being recruited by the Ground Force Network, will be made up of volunteer recruits. Naturally, these volunteers are expected to be huge Narnia fans; equally naturally, they are also being lured with promotional giveaways tied to the December, 2005, Disney / Walden Media release.
The objective of these efforts, apparently, is to help guarantee the box-office success of the film. Is this such a good idea?
Now, I understand that the Narnia films will be another salvo in the ongoing 'Hollywood vs. America' cultural pseudo-war. And I truly understand that many families would love to send a message, loud and clear, to movie producers that family-friendly fare actually sells.
But shouldn't we actually wait to see if the movie is worth supporting before we support it? Or are we convinced that it's worth supporting on principle alone?
I'm beginning to suspect that movie studios are figuring out that they can market films to the flock simply by making their products look like fields of clover. And I fear that, in our over-eagerness to support what promises to be good, wholesome cinema (and may yet turn out to be just another dog) , we're allowing ourselves to merely become extended promotional and merchandizing arms for big business.
How about this for a change: Why don't we let the artists do what artists do best, publicists do what publicists do best, and the church do what the church does best? And that's not film promotions.
Really got a hankering to volunteer for something meaningful, something that will actually change lives? Check with your local church nursery, local Habitat for Humanity chapter, soup kitchen, nursing home, hospital or food bank.
Team Narnia, like the 'Narniacs' being recruited by the Ground Force Network, will be made up of volunteer recruits. Naturally, these volunteers are expected to be huge Narnia fans; equally naturally, they are also being lured with promotional giveaways tied to the December, 2005, Disney / Walden Media release.
The objective of these efforts, apparently, is to help guarantee the box-office success of the film. Is this such a good idea?
Now, I understand that the Narnia films will be another salvo in the ongoing 'Hollywood vs. America' cultural pseudo-war. And I truly understand that many families would love to send a message, loud and clear, to movie producers that family-friendly fare actually sells.
But shouldn't we actually wait to see if the movie is worth supporting before we support it? Or are we convinced that it's worth supporting on principle alone?
I'm beginning to suspect that movie studios are figuring out that they can market films to the flock simply by making their products look like fields of clover. And I fear that, in our over-eagerness to support what promises to be good, wholesome cinema (and may yet turn out to be just another dog) , we're allowing ourselves to merely become extended promotional and merchandizing arms for big business.
How about this for a change: Why don't we let the artists do what artists do best, publicists do what publicists do best, and the church do what the church does best? And that's not film promotions.
Really got a hankering to volunteer for something meaningful, something that will actually change lives? Check with your local church nursery, local Habitat for Humanity chapter, soup kitchen, nursing home, hospital or food bank.
posted by Greg Wright at 15.6.05
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