Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Barbie Policy Trailers

This is topic Barbie Policy Trailers in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-17-2004, 04:06 PM:

I was talking with a coworker about movie policy trailers. She's from Boston and used to go to the Kendall Square Cinema. She tells me about a series of trailers that featured Barbie & Ken.

There was one for the Concession Stand, one for "No Smoking", "No Talking", etc., etc. Each one ended up with the partial destruction of the doll(s).

We're considering updating our policy trailer collection.
The ones we have are from Filmack. Though they are still in decent shape, people are getting pretty darned tired of them.

It's time for a change.

Anybody have any information on these, please.

Posted by Mike Pennell (Member # 1692) on 11-17-2004, 04:20 PM:

Randy, The Barbie policy trailers are available through Pepsi.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-17-2004, 05:01 PM:

The Pepsi dolls trailers are _horrible_! Landmark used to run them, but stopped when they switched from Pepsi to Coke. If you _really_ must have one, I could probably dig something up.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-17-2004, 05:42 PM:

I haven't seen them, myself. I'm only going by what others have said. I'll reserve judgement.

Mercyhurst IS one of those schools that signed a deal with Pepsico.
Y'Know... Pepsi will fund your athletic teams if they get exclusive advertising and pouring rights.

You can't buy a Coke on this campus to save your mother's life!

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 11-17-2004, 05:50 PM:

Bring back "Don't flick your Bic in the thick of the flick!" Actually just cut the talking cigarette lighters and save the graphics.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-17-2004, 11:25 PM:

Y'Know, I'm sure they are every bit as bad as people are telling me they are. But, what the hell!

We were having one of those brainstorming sessions and were kicking out ideas. It started out with an idea on how to get people to turn off their cell phones in the theater.

We run a M$ PowerPoint-based slide show on the screen before the movie. We use it to advertise upcoming shows and on-campus events. We throw in a few videos and trivia slides to make it interesting. Because of the videos which need sound, the computer that plays back the Pwr. Pt. show is connected through the theater's sound system.

I found a nice looking JPEG picture of a cellular phone and Photoshopped in the words, "Don't forget to turn off your cell phone!", in big letters across frame. I put that as a background pic for the Pwr. Pt. slide, tossed in the sound of a cell phone ringing and made it "auto-play" when the slide came on.

So... The slide comes up. The sound, "Ring! Ring!", comes through the speakers and the screen says "Dont' forget to turn off your cell phone!" Can you believe the slide actually got applause?!

I think the key is twofold.

1) The attention getting device of the "Ring!" sound.
2) The words "Don't forget".

Everybody knows they should turn off their phones. Yes, some people DO actually, honestly forget. However, those who DON'T forget but STILL don't turn them off now know that 100 other customers will be staring directly at THEM should their phone ring in the middle of the show.

We'll see whether it has a continued effect of reminding people to turn off their phones.

So, if the Barbie trailer is THAT bad, I can plunk it on the table at our next brainstorming session and say, "Here's your trailer. You have been warned..." [Wink]

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 11-18-2004, 02:41 AM:

as far as i know there's only one barbie trailer, and it covers all the bases. and it's excellent! really. it's the only policy trailer that i don't hate. there something wonderfully "wrong" about it. what's not to love?

carl

Posted by Dan Lyons (Member # 1454) on 11-18-2004, 03:23 AM:

quote: Steve Kraus
Bring back "Don't flick your Bic in the thick of the flick!" Actually just cut the talking cigarette lighters and save the graphics.

Are you encouraging the destruction of rare and possibly valuable old trailers? [Mad]

Posted by Mark Hajducki (Member # 1732) on 11-18-2004, 10:07 AM:

quote: Randy Stankey
The sound, "Ring! Ring!", comes through the speakers

Odeon in the UK have a version of this where ringtones come from the surround speekers. (at first it is a single ringtone, increacing to multiple tones from round the cinema) Most people (even regular customers) tend to look round to find who's phone it is

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-18-2004, 11:37 AM:

quote: Mark Hajducki

Odeon in the UK have a version of this where ringtones come from the surround speekers.

Hmm... Evil thoughts come to mind!
Methinks, there be some sound editing to do!

[evil]

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 11-20-2004, 09:59 AM:

Could Coke possibly have stolen this idea for the "fantanas" trailer? [uhoh]