Inception

'successful media products depend as much on marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they do upon good production practices'. To what extent would you agree with this statement. Within the media area (film) you have studied?

Inception is a successful film that made $825 million, which was a massive profit considering the budget for the film was only $175 million and the marketing budget $100m.

Some might question that $100 million is a lot to spend on a films marketing. However marketing is a crucial to determine the films success. The marketing team of Inception created 7 posters and they are each different to advertise each character in the film. This is a clever way of advertising because fans of the specific actor/actresses will want to see them in the new film "Inception'. Two teaser poster were also released before the other seven were. The teaser posters used a silhouette of a man in the street. From the dark colours and city location in the posters, the public can anticipate the films release. A 3D poster what also created and gave the illusion of a building being flooded. This imagine was purposely meant to stand out and be a striking sight in the city and acts to generate word of mouth. A teaser trailer, two official trailers and nine T.V spots (adverts) were also released. The nine different T.V spots were also a good idea  because each T.V spot/trailer has Christopher Nolan's name plastered across or 'The director of the dark knight' which provides the film with recognition and we know what to expect from Nolan's films. The standard is set.  People see a different side of the film for example, romance, action and drama are all shown in each T.Vspot. Press junkets also took place to help spread the word. This is where the director/production team and Hollywood stars meet and greet international press. The press junkets would also include a press conference. Which also contributes to advertising the film and leading towards it's successes. The 'Inception' website and spin off marketing material e.g. pop ups and comic books. Along with a fake website for the 'dream device' where the public can feel closer and more involved in the film.

The distribution of Christopher Nolan's 'Inception' was released by Warner bros Pictures on July 16th 2010. The UK Premier took place 8th July. Inception was distributed to over 2000 cinemas worldwide. The film Inception would be enjoyed by Christopher Nolan fans and fans of his film 'The Dark Knight'. People who enjoy action packed dramatic films brilliant special effects would also go and see this film. The influence of having major Hollywood stars taking part in the film draws in the audience who are fans of the actors/actresses. For example Leonardo DiCaprio is described as a 'Hollywood heart-throb. Inception pretty much covers all genre's of film. We see the romance between leonardo DiCaprio and Marolin Cotillard, real life family struggles of trying to get home to see children, the dramatic action scenes and puzzling story line. I do not believe that there is a specific audience for the film. However viewers would have to be some what intelligent to understand the complexity in the plot. Having a mass audience target means the film can make more money. But no specific audience worried Warner Bros for the reasons that it's a totally original idea from Nolan with high intellectual levels of the films and the fact that it is different from any other Hollywood blockbuster. This could explain why the marketing was so expensive and important.

Inception was filmed in a number of locations including England, California (America), Paris (France) and Japan. The shut down of famous cities such as New York and Paris mean't that production would be very expensive. The cast of the film: Leonardo DiCaprio, Marolin Cotillard, Joseph Gorden Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger and Christopher Nolan’s son Magnus make production practices important. After all if there was no big names a film will statistically not do as good because there isn't recognition. Charles Dumont and Michel Vaucarie created the soundtrack for Inception. The film has over 500 visual effects shots. In charge of the stunning visual effects is Paul Franklin. Who built a miniature fortress mountain set and then blew it up for the film.   CG- based effects were also used during the zero gravity scenes in the hotel. As well as CGI . The score by Edith Piaf 'Je Ne Regrette Rien' is played throughout the film at the height of drama or tension. This worldwide song is became inspirational during the film. 

Taking all these points into account i believe that a media product, whether it be a magazine, T.V show or film (like Inception) all depends on,  correct marketing, specific audience and good production practices in order for it to be successful.