Publicity Meeting @ 2012-10-23 17:30:11
Meeting began at 5:35pm
In Attendance: Kat Sroga, Liam McNamara, George Marshall, Andy Smart, Robin James Kerrison, Hugh Nurse, Olivia Lynch, Timothy Green, Saqib Nasir, Raghav Bali, Alina Haddad, Sally Payne, Michael Perry, Katie Hudson (arrived late with apologies), Priscilla Mudiaki (arrived late with apologies), Muhammad Bhatti (arrived late with apologies), James McLachlan (arrived late with apologies), Chloe Haynes (arrived late with apologies), Sam Kidman (arrived late with apologies), Jacqueline Gill (arrived late with apologies)
Apologies: Fergus Cooper, Georgie Rawson, Laura Davenport, Rob Gardner, James Elmore
1. Welcome and Introduction (and handing out of cakes!)
- New Publicity Officer was introduced, and everybody around the table introduced themselves.
- People ate cake.
2. Announcement of new Titles Co-ordinator and Reviews Editor
- It was announced that the position of Reviews Editor has been given to Laura Davenport, and the position of Titles Co-ordinator has been given to Hugh Nurse. Georgie Rawson will continue as Chief Editor, as will Emily Hopkins as Graphics Co-ordinator.
3. Spring Term Publicity - booklet reviews, titles, graphics and editing deadlines
- A brief outline was given of the different types of publicity we produce, and about the four main roles which feed into the booklet: reviews, titles, graphics and editing.
- Deadlines were discussed, using the timeline printed on the Agendas.
- The Publicity Officer pointed out that editing should ideally be completed by Week 10 ready for proofing.
- She suggested that reviews, titles and graphics should be done by the end of Week 7, to which George replied that Monday Week 8 might be a better deadline (due to the Allnighter.)
- These deadlines will be discussed with the Reviews Editor, Titles Co-ordinator, Graphics Co-ordinator and Chief Editor, and decisions will be made clear in the sign-up emails.
- Sign Up was discussed.
- It was explained that the Reviews Editor, Titles Co-ordinator, Graphics Co-ordinator and Chief Editor will send out an email when sign up opens.
- It was explained that reviews can be signed up for via email, but for other areas of publicity, online sign-ups mean that members must register on the website. It was apparent that most people had done so, but those who hadn’t were encouraged to do so and email the Publicity Officer once they had.
- The floor was opened for questions:
- It was asked about whether people had to be able to use Photoshop in order to sign up. It was explained that training would be offered for team members, and that they should contact the Publicity Officer to arrange this.
- It was asked whether a reviewer needed to have seen the film in order to review it. It was pointed out that due to printing times, we often have to write the reviews for films before they are actually released.
4. Weekly Publicity - discussion of template and procedure for signing up
- A brief outline was given of the usual format for Weekly Publicity, and who usually makes it. The Publicity Officer explained that this process would change, and that members should feel encouraged to sign up to create Weekly Publicity.
- Attendees were told that Weekly Publicity up to Week 5 was made, but that Weeks 6,7,8,9 and 10 were available for those who wanted to try.
- It was asked what program was used to make publicity, to which the Publicity Officer replied that usually Photoshop was used, but that it could be made in other programs. The offer of training was made again.
- Deadlines were explained, and it was decided that Weekly Publicity would be due on Monday of the preceding Week, ready to be given out from Thursday.
- Five people offered to make a week’s worth. These were:
- Raghav for Week 6
- Robin for Week 7
- Katie and Sally for Weeks 8 and 9
- Alina for Week 10
- It was agreed that the Publicity Officer would email these members to arrange a training session.
- The Publicity Officer mentioned that there was a template for Weekly Publicity, and showed an example.
- An indicative vote was taken, and people were largely in favour of using this template.
- It was mentioned that as well as Weekly Publicity, themed publicity is often given out before films.
- It was explained that this was sorted for this term, with the themes being Foreign Films, Batman Season, Superhero Season and Rom Coms.
- Attendees were asked to look at the provisional schedule for next term, and suggest themes.
- James pointed out the themes that already existed in the schedule:
- Best Picture Tuesdays
- French Film Season
- Classic Directors: 3 films by Hitchcock (near to release of the film, ‘Hitchcock’), 2 films by Woody Allen and 2 by Oliver Stone.
- ‘Life is Beautiful’ being shown as part of a student organised Holocaust season.
- Tim suggested an Action/Slasher theme, with Taken, Dredd etc.
- Robin pointed out that there were a few ‘Gangster’ films on the schedule for next term, and suggested this as a theme.
- George mentioned that the Oscars will take place on Monday Week 8, and that it would be a good idea to theme publicity around this, as Beasts of the Southern Wild (Mon Wk8), Rust and Bone (Thurs Wk8), Argo (Fri Wk8), The Master (Sun Wk9), Amour (Mon Wk 9), Silver Linings Playbook (Thurs Wk9) etc. were contenders for this year’s Oscars.
- It was decided that these would be considered and allocated nearer the time, and that members should email publicityofficer@filmsoc.warwick.ac.uk with any further suggestions.
5. Benefits - outline of the new benefits for Publicity Team members
- It was explained that the benefits for Publicity Team members would be changing slightly.
- Attendees were told that the following rewards system would be followed.
- One review = 2 complimentary films.
- One week of graphics = 2 complimentary films.
- One week of titles = 4 complimentary films.
- One week of editing = Crew Status for the next term.
- 8 complimentary films gained from any combination of the above = Crew Status for the next term.
- There were no objections to these.
- It was asked whether complimentary films gained from Marketing could play a part in the 8 films leading to crew status. The Marketing and Publicity Officers said that yes, this was the case.
- Benefits for those who made Weekly Publicity were discussed.
- The Publicity Officer suggested 2 complimentary films, saying that in her opinion, it was about the same amount of work as a review or a week of graphics.
- Robin suggested 1 film, as he thought it was significantly less work. George disagreed, and said Weekly Publicity could be time consuming, especially when made well. James advocated staying with multiples of 2.
- It was decided that one Weekly Publicity sheet = 2 complimentary films.
6. Socials
- The Publicity Officer mentioned the Sponsored Event on Tuesday 23rd, encouraging the team to attend.
- Attendees were told about the following upcoming socials, and told how to sign up:
- Poker on Wednesday 24th
- Bowling on Saturday 27th
- Attendees seemed keen on a Publicity social, the Marketing Officer suggested a joint Publicity/Marketing social, which was met with approval.
7. Possibility of joint Publicity and Marketing meeting
- It was mentioned that a joint Publicity and Marketing meeting may be held soon, to discuss titles.
- Sam said that it would be before the end of term. George said that this should take place soon to discuss specifications for titles.
- Attendees were told that they would find out more on the mailing list, and were welcome to attend if interested.
8. TaDoNM
- A time and date for the next meeting was not agreed.
9. AOBs
- Sam: explained that he was Marketing Officer and that those interested in being part of the Marketing Team should contact him at marketingofficer@filmsoc.warwick.ac.uk.
- The allocation system for reviews was raised. It was explained that they were on a first-come-first-served basis, up to a maximum number of films. Members will be able to sign up for reviews within the next few weeks.
Meeting Ended at 6:10