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This Week in Viral: Week of 6/15/09

June 21, 2009 By

This week has been a great one for us here at MovieViral.com. Here’s a little sum up of what happened, for  your viewing pleasure. First off, and most importantly, MovieViral.com was featured in the LA Times. If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look. But now on to the real news.

Transformers saw a few viral updates with new videos uploaded on various websites. Here’s a look at the newest ones:


As for District 9, once again a stellar week. We’ve seen new webpages, more specifically the community watch page. It has about 30 phone calls from people around North America reporting Non-Humans. You can listen to those here. Also there has been a new video added to D-9.com, which you can view by going to the homepage of that website.

In addition to that, memos have been added to D-9.com which state MNU is looking for Christopher, which you may know from the MNUSpreadsLies.com website. Ironically, Christopher reported on his twitter that it was a memo about Wikus, a rouge MNU agent, but that tweet was later deleted. Also, the trailer with subtitles and without the blur debuted in theatres in front of ‘Year One’. And MNUSpreadsLies has a new post, it reads:
Maybe you readers won’t know what my life is truly like until you’ve seen for yourselves where I live. The slum in D9 is administered by MNU, not the government. As such, the people living in this area do not receive any sort of public services – no electricity, water or trash services. MNU would prefer us to rot in filth.

They do not care for our welfare – they only exploit us for our labor. If they had any sympathy towards their fellow living beings, how could they let anyone live like this? Here are a few photos to drive the point home.

In other, random, news “The Conduit” which is a Wii game is having a bit of a viral campaign. Check out the nice article Matt wrote. Also, 2012 debuted a new trailer which has me pretty excited for the movie. This is the second biggest viral campaign I would say we’re following, right behind District 9. Sony is really utilizing this technique of marketing.

That’s it for This Week in Viral, as always we remind you we can rarely ever cover every story that happens within one week of movie viral marketing. We strongly suggest you sign up at our forum which is a great place to get the latest updates as they happen. Also, if you have any news  email us at News@MovieViral.com, we will read every email and it would help us tremendously.

Posted by Nick Butler, follow him on Twitter. New to the site? Check out the About Us page. Register at the MovieViral.com forum, which is located at www.MovieViral.com/forum.

Filed Under: Viral Marketing

Update: District 9 Community Watch

June 20, 2009 By

The page reads “Non Human Sightings in North America” and it consists of over 8 regions within which people are placing their calls claiming to have spotted Non-Humans. The website, like every other website developed for this viral, is very well designed. Check it out here.

reportnh

Personally, I love all the things they’ve been doing with the ARG side of the viral since June. But, with all the links to the other websites and just lack of updates for however many months, it’s hard to get back into. If you haven’t yet, check out the articles we posted a few days ago- Why can’t Sony do anything right and Why Sony has done everything right for two different takes on Sony’s use of viral marketing.

Thanks to andyboy35 from the forum for spotting this!

Follow Nick Butler on Twitter!

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Check it out: MovieViral in the LA Times

June 19, 2009 By

LA TIMES

Nick Butler, the Editor-in-Chief of MovieViral.com, was interviewed by Chris Lee of the LA Times. The article was concerning the unique viral marketing of District 9 and these ingenious advertisements have created a lot buzz for the film, set to release August 14th. While I think ARG aspect of the viral has been filled with holes, the marketing outside of that is marvelous.

Here are some excerpts from the article (which you can read here) with Nick Butler. He goes in depth about his personal “likes” and “dislikes” of District 9.

“The billboards, benches and websites are a great way to advertise movies, because it gets people talking,” explained Nick Butler, editor in chief of MovieViral.com, which has been following the film’s promotions for nearly a year. “What we see with ‘District 9′ is a combination of real-life experiences mixed in with game experiences that involve websites and Twitter. It is a very successful viral campaign.”

Still, for whatever buzz the campaign has generated, some film fetishists point out the marketing hasn’t been without certain hiccups. Chief beef: Over the course of its 10-month existence, “D9′s” viral has gone dormant for long periods, disheartening self-professed fanboys keeping tabs on the movie’s roll-out. “This viral started in August ’08, then came an almost nine-month period of no updates,” said movieviral.com’s Butler. “People who follow viral campaigns like I do like to be constantly trying to find something. There always has to be a challenge.”

Filed Under: Site News

Transfomers Viral Updates

June 19, 2009 By

If you haven’t heard by know, Transformers is doing a viral campaign, or as they call it an ‘extended film experience’ campaign. Recently, there has been a plethora of videos with machines turning into Transformers. Take a look at the newest one.

Pretty cool if you ask me, and well done. This being released just a week before Transformers hits the theatres.

Check out some past ‘sightings’.

Some less obvious sightings are below:

The most recent sightings have been in France and the UK. In France, a model airplane turned into a Transformer:  http://www.dailymotion.com/Vinnylemans/video/16143347 And the newest, the scooter turning into a Transformer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo0cwRY59X4.

And if you haven’t seen them by now, check out the viral website: http://www.therealeffingdeal.com/ andhttp://www.gianteffingrobots.com.

The official website is http://www.TransformersMovie.com and the movie releases nation wide June 24th.

Follow Nick Butler on Twitter!

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Check it out: Viral Site For ‘The Conduit’ (Wii)

June 18, 2009 By

Alright, I was sufing the web earlier, and I noticed this viral site for the upcoming game ‘The Conduit’. You can check the site here.

Once the anonymous chat is over, you get a 2-d Google map-like scene of Washington D.C. On most of the buildings are codes most of which I cant decipher at the moment, but I will update you all if I can translate the code. Codes can be found by clicking the sidebar.

Graffiti can be seen on the sidebar, on the building to the far right (I can’t tell if it’s the White House or The Jefferson Memorial). The graffiti says “I Have Seen The Fnords!”, which means that he has seen the false information the led the huge government conspiracy that this game is based on. For more information on the subject, visit here:

Now, click close on the chatbox, it opens up a bar where you can type stuff in.  Some of the codes offer voice messages. Most of them are mysterious, posing answers to questions we having heard of. Im sure most, if not all of these questions will be explored further in the game, which is exclusive to Nintendo Wii.

CODES THAT WORK:

  • I Have Seen The Fnords!
  • You are not paranoid
  • Truth
  • Lies
  • they are here
  • operation saucer
  • reflecting pool
  • wales forever
  • all is not what is seems
  • conduit to the truth
  • bug virus
  • obelisk
  • know nothing
  • mdccclxxxv(or 1885) < Pretty much spells out the deciphering process.)
  • robert mills
  • Trust no one,
  • the truth is in the water

Here is some of the cypher of the code at the bottom:

IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WASHINGTON, D.C. IS SHAKEN BY SEVERAL STRANGE EVENTS RESULTING IN HEIGHTENED LOCAL AND NATIONAL TENSIONS. JOHN ADAMS, THE LEADER OF A SHADOW ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE TRUST, REALIZES THAT THE NATION’S CAPITAL HAS COME UNDER ATTACK. SECRET SERVICE AGENT MICHAEL FORD, HERO-OF-THE-HOUR FOR HAVING SAVED THE LIFE OF THE PRESIDENT, IS RECRUITED TO LEARN WHO IS BEHIND THIS ASSAULT ON WASHINGTON, D.C.

9 EVENTS LEADING TO MR. FORD’S ASSIGNMENT

MARCH 19 – AN UNUSUAL WEATHER SYSTEM HOVERS OVER THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THIS RESULTS IN EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH WATER LEVELS OF VARIOUS RIVERS, SUCH AS THE POTOMAC IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

APRIL 19 – A STRANGE FLU-LIKE ILLNESS SWEEPS THROUGH WASHINGTON, D.C.COMING TO BE KNOWN AS “THE BUG.” STAFFING AT GOVERNMENT OFFICES DROPS TO A MINIMUM AS MANY STAY CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES IN HOPE OF NOT CONTRACTING IT. THIS PATTERN OF AVOIDANCE IS THE PRESUMED CAUSE OF INCREASED NUMBERS OF “MISSING PERSON” REPORTS IN THE D.C. AREA DURING THIS TIME.

JULY 27 – CLASSIFICATION OF “THE BUG” IS INITIALLY THOUGHT TO BE IMMUNOSSUPPRESSANT CHEMICALS IN THE WATER SUPPLY. CITIZENS ARE URGED TO DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER AND TO LIMIT WATER USE IN THE HOME TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. BUSINESSES BEGIN TO SEE A HUGE DROP IN REVENUES AND WORKER ATTENDANCE.

AUGUST 9 – A TERRORIST ATTACK ON THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT DESTROYS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ITS UPPER SURFACE. IT IS CONFIRMED THAT IDENTITY CARDS USED IN THE ATTACK WERE STOLEN FROM THE OFFICE A PENTAGON STAFFER DURING THEIR RECOVERY FROM “THE BUG.” TENSION LEVELS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA RISE SIGNIFICANTLY.

SEPTEMBER 11 – SENATOR HARRIET REIMER IS ASSASSINATED BY A TERRORIST CELL POSING AS MEMBERS OF HER STAFF; AUTOPSIES OF ALL BODIES ARE DECLARED CLASSIFIED. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DATE IS NOT LOST ON THE PUBLIC; TENSIONS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. REACH NEW HEIGHTS.

OCTOBER 1 – PRESIDENT CHARLES THOMPSON ALMOST KILLED BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN SECRET SERVICE. FORTUNATELY, THIS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IS THWARTED BY AN AGENT WHO WAS NOT A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE PRESIDENT’S PROTECTION. THIS EVENT RESULTS IN A PHASED

I LOVE this viral game. Fun, interactive, and important to the story, which makes it one of the best viral sites this year. The devlopers deserve a hell of an applause for setting this site up. So I salute you, High Voltage software.

The conduit drops in Wii’s everywhere June 23rd 2009.

Some data collected from the Unfiction Forum.

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All New 2012 Trailer

June 18, 2009 By

Just a few minutes ago, the all new trailer for 2012 dropped on yahoo movies. Let me tell you one thing. This movie looks AWESOME. Boy, do I love me some CGI-Fest films. This one looks to top everything else in the ‘Cool stuff ILM Made’ category. Well, I know you guys are tired of reading my reaction to it, so you can check out the trailer below:

Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm, which brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. The film is inspired by several hypotheses that state the ancient Mayans predicted a doomsday event will occur sometime around the 2012 solstice. The original basis for this comes from the end of the current cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calender  on December 21, 2012.

Check out our 2012 page for more information on the film and its viral campaign.

2012 hit theaters nationwide on November 13th.

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Intro to “9″ Viral Campaign

June 17, 2009 By

The trailer for Tim Burton’s latest freak show film 9 has been attached to pretty much every major film this summer. But don’t think Focus Features, the studio behind the computer-animated film about rag dolls in a dystopian future, is settling for just regular ads.


The film now has both a Facebook page for the scientist who created the dolls, as well as an interactive viral website, dubbed 9experiment.com, that shows the scientist’s laboratory. Both sites give you tons of background into both the scientist (Facebook) and the setting/story in general (9experiment). The laboratory site is relatively new (June 12th), but I was shocked to find that the Facebook page was created in mid-April. I hadn’t heard anything about it. The scientist updates it regularly with his thoughts, relevant videos, and his progess on the B.R.A.I.N. project.

BRAIN

What’s this B.R.A.I.N. project? Glad you asked. It stands for Binary Reactive Artificially Intelligent Neurocircuit. From my quick perusing of the facebook page, along with listening to some of the story on 9experiment.com, B.R.A.I.N. is society’s attempt at creating peaceful, helpful artificial intelligence. Based on the premise of the film, it appears that attempt went horribly wrong. This project is funded by the government, but no nation or recognizable entity is identified, just the title of Chancellor and the term “Nation” are used. This seems to be done on purpose, most likely to avoid having to base anything on reality to give the film more freedom.

Photobucket

The lab site has an intro from Elijah Wood (who voices the title character), along with some videos, images, journal entries, audio describing the events leading up to the film, and other tidbits. Most of these sections are not complete, so you should check back periodically to see/hear more.


What do you think? I wasn’t very interested in the film, but this definitely got me to notice it. Seems like a rich story, though I’m usually on the fence with Tim Burton animated flicks. Thanks to Scott from the forums for the heads up.


9 releases on September 9th (9/9/09, get it?). Check out the trailer below.

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Editorial: Why Sony has done everything right

June 17, 2009 By

If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you check out Matt’s article entitled “Why can’t Sony do anything right?“. Now, as I do respect Matt’s opinion, I would just like to take a few minutes and explain why he’s wrong. Now even though I think Matt is wrong about his overall view, he does have a few facts in his article, and I’ll start there.

The ugly truth is Sony has handled the ARG (Alternate Reality Game) side of District 9 pretty badly. They began it back in August 2008 by launching MNUSpreadsLies.com, D-9.com and MultiNationalUnited.com. At first I was crazy about it. I read everything I could on all the websites and then I waited. Waiting days turned into weeks, which turned into months. I would actually play off the lack of updates by saying “Well, it comes out in August ’09, so don’t be worried . . .  soon enough we’ll be searching away”. Soon enough came 6 months later.

Now, that’s the bad side of District 9. What you need to know, and what Matt neglects to make his point, is that a viral campaign consists of many aspects- videos, websites, signs, etc. An ARG is only one part of the viral. District 9′s ARG is weak and there’s no denying that, but their viral campaign is tremendously good.

Sony has billboards up in major cities and other advertisements likewise, and that is what I consider to be the essential aspect of a viral campaign. Sony also does break the fourth wall (meaning they reference reality – that it’s a game – within their game) on every website. Although I don’t agree with it, I understand why Sony did it. When they released the first trailer they put the website “D-9.com” on it. Had they not broken the fourth wall, everyone going to D-9.com would’ve been confused out of their mind.

Matt continues on by bashing the Angels and Demons viral campaign, which in my opinion wasn’t much of a viral campaign so I wouldn’t have bashed it as such. Then he moves on to 2012, a movie which is releasing in November. Matt complains about the lack of updates with District 9, but then he bashes 2012′s campaign . . . which was updated almost weekly (although ironically its in a lull). He also neglects to mention the very well designed websites both the District 9 and 2012 ARG’s include, they’re beautifully done.  And Matt, wait until the movie comes out before you start complaining about the plot. Who knows how they’ll keep people alive, why don’t you wait to find out.

In the end, Matt says he’s bashing Sony’s viral campaigns, but he’s not, he’s bashing their ARGs. He neglects the positive points to show you the negatives.

Dear Matt,
Go take a walk in a garden and look at the more beautiful things in life.
With love,
Nicholas S. Butler

Nicks final thoughts… While it is true Sony has some problems operating ARG-style websites, their viral campaigns are working. I mean, why else would the L.A. Times be writing a story on it. Billboards and other signs gets people talking, hence, viral campaign. Oh yeah, follow me on twitter!

Filed Under: Viral Marketing

The Soapbox: Why Can’t Sony Do Anything Right?

June 17, 2009 By

Sony, what is it with you and shoddy viral campaigns? You let a viral sit for half a year, send me free shit that I don’t want, made National Treasure for old people (Angles & Demons), and worst of all, you keep letting Roland Emmirich make movies. Seriously Sony, why can’t you guys do anything right?

I have been following the District-9 Campaign since Comic-Con 08. After an initial surge, it went dry for 6 months. Take a look at good virals (The Dark Knight, Cloverfield, Star Trek, Year Zero), they never went dry for more than one month. Once the campaign starts up again, I have no interest in it.

Now that they are breaking the fourth wall on EVERY site, it just takes the fun out. That’s what made other viral campaigns fun, the hunt for a site; now all you have to do is go to d-9.com and you will see each new site to the side. When Cloverfield’s campaign was running, we actually had to work to find new sites and we analyzed everything. But with D-9, Sony is handing everything to us on a shiny silver platter of shit. Don’t even get me started on The Dark Knight campaign, which did everything right, involved the real world, gave me free shit that I actually want, and most importantly, it was fun. You could really learn something from 42 Entertainment and Bad Robot, Sony.

Lets take a look at a few other Sony films with “virals”. Angels & Demons, now I don’t know why we even covered this, but this viral sucked ass. They made ONE site for it, ONE, and it added nothing to the film . . . which is what virals are for. Now, onto the shit-fest that is known as 2012, sure the movie isn’t out yet, but I can still rip on it! Yeah, a couple videos on YouTube, that’s about as interesting as Quarantine’s viral. OK, and the IHC, what the fuck can they do? Taking pre-cautions for the end of the world? How the fuck do you survive THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD. That’s equivalent to Bear Grylls teaching viewers how to jump into a lava pit and live.

So, thank God that last paragraph is over. Now Sony, I hope you can learn from your mistakes and create some intricate and entertaining virals.

NOTE: Sorry guys, had a party last Saturday, next time The Soapbox will arrive on Saturday.

Filed Under: Viral Marketing

Breaking News: D-9 memo and new video found!

June 17, 2009 By

There is a new pdf memo available at D-9.com including two versions of this document. A non human version and a human version.

Which ever side you choose, you get a blue icon that pops up with a warning sign. It says “Urgent Message. Click Here To View”
Urgent Message

You get these windows. It’s interesting that they added a small video of Wikus as a preview from the trailer.
Non-Human version:
Alien version

Human version:
Human version

Here are the pdf memo documents:

Non-Human version:
Non human

Human version:
Human version

Here are the links to the actual PDF memo documents:
Non-Human version
Human version

There is also a new video on the website, just click on the bright orange blip on the D-9 website (human section)! As of now, the video is not available for embedding, so you’ll have to check the site yourself.

Hopefully this means we will get more updates soon about this film because it needs to pick up the pace. Quickly.

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