Back in March we talked about how a "flip book effect" became "the world's first Instagram film experience." Given the advancements in video recording and sharing, not only by Instagram, but similar platforms, like Vine, my excitement seems cute now -- like when I played Star Fox on Super Nintendo for the first time ("How are these graphics possible?") And as always, new ways are being found to use Instagram, like in the case of Jobs, the Steve Jobs film starring Ashton Kutcher, being the first to use the app to upload a trailer. Are we about to see apps like Instagram and Vine become marketing and advertising platforms?
The days of casually and almost anonymously uploading your photos to Instagram are pretty much over. I remember getting my first follower on Instagram, and I was surprised, because I didn't even know that was a part of the app.
Since then, Instagram and Vine are being used more frequently by users as a marketing tool, whether for a large business or individual looking to get their name out there, because now people are following them. The marketing team behind Jobs must've known that they could reach more people, especially those glued to their phones, if they put the trailer up on one of the most popular apps ever downloaded.
Since Instagram has a 15-second limit on video capturing, the trailer doesn't pull any punches (it can't afford to.) It tugs at your heartstrings and inspires you with that line, "The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." Check it out below:
Instagram isn't the first to put ads in their members' feeds. Sneak-peeks for Wolverine showed up on Vine in March, titillating its fans with short clips of the film.
It may be only a matter of time until studios, as well as independents, start putting their marketing pedals to the metal on platforms like Instagram and Vine, and take full advantage of the potential reach of these apps, much like they did with social media giants Facebook and Twitter.
And really, this could be a good thing for independent filmmakers, because essentially you have the opportunity to cast a wide net for free. Free marketing is always good.
What do you think about photo/video apps like Instagram being used for marketing? Do you currently use them to market your films? Let us know in the comments.
Link: Instagram Enters Movie Trailer Biz With 'Jobs' (Video) -- Variety
