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Promoting Zack and Miri With Stick Figures Instead of Seth Rogen?

Posted on Monday, October 6th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

I spotter some bus advertising for Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno which makes use of the stick figures from the theatrical poster. The reason why I bring this up is because I believe it is a mistake. Case in point, while I snapped a photo of a bus with the advertisement, a friend of mine, also a casual fan of Kevin Smith’s films looked briefly at the bus advertising before questioning why I was taking photos of stick figures. It wasn’t until I explained that it was an advertisement for Smith’s new film that he understood.

But then came a look of confusion. He didn’t have to say anything but I knew what he was thinking, probably because it was the same thing I was thinking. Smith landed a A-list comedy star (Seth Rogen) to headline his film and The Weinstein Co has decided to instead use stick figures to promote the film. Don’t get me wrong, the poster is/was hilarious. I think it works because people make a point of looking at the posters when they go to the movie theater. But outdoor advertising should grab your attention. You should have some idea of what it is about without even reading the words. Am I wrong? What do you guys think?

Comments

M

Yeah, I saw the stick figures on a muni bus (the same one?) today and immediately knew that it was for Zack and Miri. I love the poster, but it seems a little wordy for something you stick on a moving vehicle.

Jonathan

We get some original advertising where they don't plaster the stars face right there and you complain! Bah!

I think it is fantastic! And regardless of advertising, Smith has a very loyal, precise following, which gives them a little more leeway with their advertising. His movies lately always open up in the $8-11 million range, regardless of what they are or how they are advertised.

NINJARTIST

I'd be more inclined to look at something you typically wouldn't see on a bus than celebrities... Stick figures aren't common marketing fare. Plus, for the general public, a head shot of Seth Rogen might just make people think it's for Knocked Up 2 or something.

gaius

I saw those buses today too. I think it's a really bad idea as well.

MrCavanagh

Is it original marketing? Sure. But as Peter puts it, Smith landed an A-list comedy star and they instead use stick figures to promote the film. Very counter productive. If anything, the whole stick figure campaign should have stayed strictly online, where the target audience is already aware of the film and who will be in it.

Blake Brown

i kind of like it. it's a way of showing that it's not just another seth rogan movie.

Alex Everingham

I think it's genius, in reality yes its a little wordy but it is also intriguing and people who don't understand it will hopefully look it up, plus there should be trailers and such. it's great.

Chee_Kno

well the original poster that kevin smith had wasnt like the ones u guys saw. he originally had one half looking like Banks was giving Rogen head, and the other half had Rogen eating out Banks, and they said that it was too revealing even though it only implied it, so Smith decided to use stick figures instead

MrCavanagh

The only similar example to this would be Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but even that movie had other ad material to supplement the "You Suck Sarah Marshall" posters. I also had a very clear web address visible for those curious to look up the film.

MrCavanagh

It also had a very clear web address visible for those curious to look up the film.**

buzz_clik

I agree. That ad requires you to take the time to read it, and if a bus is moving (as a bus is wont to do) you might not get all the information. Something speeding by that fast should give you all the information you need in a split-second snapshot, even if it's as much as "hey, there's a new Seth Rogen movie out". Uh, with apologies to Elizabeth Banks, who is also totally ace and deserves to be famouser.

Justin

Bus/outdoor advertising isn't even that big of a deal in most markets. The TV spots and trailers have plenty of human beings in them, and the Kevin Smith/Seth Rogen audiences are plenty in tune to this movie, regardless of the artwork.

GregoryV

Ughh.. I can't stand san serif fonts.

Chappa

The issue was that the original posters for the movie all got banned for being too graphic. This was there way of fighting back.

http://www.newsaskew.com/2008/09/12/official-za...

q

The poster used to have both actors on it but it was rejected by the mpaa so they had to change it

JP Dyno

to be honest, if i saw that ad at a glance, Id think it was for a childrens charity or something and just move on. I think making the title larger, and emphasising PORNO, along with still having stick figures, would work better. Would make people double take.

buzz_clik

@ GregoryV

Well that's lucky for you then, because that one's seriffy as all hell!

Joseph Fritzl

this ad is so stupid it makes me want not want to see the movie.
it is also clearly hyping a movie that will not deliver.

Ryan

Yeah I like Smith but I dont think this new movie is going to make any money.
I dont even see any adds for this movie, its like grindhouse all over again.

Sari

Using stick figures is a huge mistake, if you ask me, because Seth Rogen is super attractive.

Markus

I really dont think Smith gives a flying fuck about Seth being as famous as he is right now. As Jonathan said, Smith has a very loyal fan base and that's why he makes movies. Quality before quantity, right?
Anywho, i'm really looking forward too this one!

Arturo

haha i saw that at the BART station in Fremont.

Sam

I think the poster is hilarious, the movie looks good, but I think the reason they chose stick figures was because they kept getting censored with everything about the movie, they just said screw here are 2 stick figures ones seth the other elizabeth, and a camera, and said "yeah this is whats acceptable" heres the freakin movie poster, enjoy bitches. But yeah movie looks good.

Chee_Kno

"Yeah I like Smith but I dont think this new movie is going to make any money.

I dont even see any adds for this movie, its like grindhouse all over again."

Kevin Smith has never cared about making money, he rather make a great/funny movie and if he makes money its a bonus. As for Grindhouse it was an AMAZING flim that didnt make money because it wasnt mainstream enough for people but it got rave reviews and i for one loved it.

John S.

Well, this IS the Weinstein Company we're talking about, so...

Justin

I find it a bit strange this is coming up just now. I've seen posters like that at bus stops, on construction walls, and in movie theaters for what must be at least a month now.

Rob

It's a good ad, and not in any way confusing. Reading the tagline makes it entirely clear why they've gone for stick figures. Unless of course, you need an even larger degree of hand-holding with your advertising (in which case, most modern advertising must work a treat)...

Dolt

It's a smith movie so it's not like it's going to make any money anyway. And of course Smith cares about making money--that's why he's merched the hell out of the various characters over the years, why he went back to Clerks after the J. Lo/Affleck movie tanked (all the poster had to say was "J. Lo dies in the first 10 minutes" and it would've been a blockbuster), and why he left Miramax to follow the Weinsteins--because who else would give him money to make movies?

But what's important here is, I wanna know if those are Matt Feazell stickfigures--it sure looks like 'em.

helicopters

I don't think it'll make much of a difference. If the movie's as fucking outrageous as the marketing (and the MPAA) claims it is then word of mouth is going to be the #1 draw.

.sean

Since when have the Weinsteins been marketing pros? I think this is more of the same crappy marketing they always do. Therefore, they kick their movies in the nuts and cripple every single release.

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