10. Free Choice - The Corpse Bride Website

http://corpsebridemovie.warnerbros.com/index2.html

http://imdb.com/title/tt0121164/

Technology used
The technology present on the website includes mp3 tracks and video clips.

Websites such as these are replacing traditional advertising methods through bill-boards and television trailers. By having these websites and placing the trailers online people can watch it, find out a bit about the story and the characters and who is in it. As a result it generates excitement and people can get a reasonable amount of answers as to what the film is about, who is in it, when it comes out. It offers the audience information that they can keep going back to. They also serve a purpose after the film has come out, because if it is a success and people like it they can then go and watch the ‘behind the scenes’ clip and find out when the DVD is coming out, as well as downloading free things or in this case listening to the soundtrack online.

The Media being used
This website includes a variety of types of media including related websites, video clips, downloadable backgrounds for your desktop, pictures from the film, mobile phone updates and mp3 soundtrack live streaming.

Related websites
Related websites include film rating websites such as http://www.filmratings.com/ and a link to the Warner Brothers Records website so that people can buy the soundtrack to the Corpse Bride. These websites provide the audience with information on where to buy their product and on where they can gain extra information such as film ratings that they may want.

Video clips
On the website are a few video clips, firstly a trailer for the film, this is so that prior to release people can watch the clip and get a feeling for the film as well as find out information on release date etc. The next clip present is ‘behind the scenes footage’ from making the film to provide the audience with information. It is to explain how they made the film, because it was a mixture of graphics and stop-motion production, so for those interested in how Tim Burton and his team managed to create the film there is a bit of extra information, which before the DVD was released with extra features would have been exclusive.

Downloadable desktop backgrounds
With the facility to download desktop backgrounds it provides the fans with something which they will enjoy, but which in turn will work as advertising to their friends who see it and are interested in what it is from.

Pictures from the film
These have the effect of showing the audience the sort of quality they can expect, but also installing intrigue within the audience as to what situation in the plot is being depicted by the picture. In turn this makes them watch the film to have their questions answered.

Mobile phone updates
These mobile phone updates not only give the audience pictures for their phone, again encouraging word of mouth advertising, but it gives them listing times at their local cinemas for the film. Providing the audience with immediate information as to where and when the film is on, meaning they are more likely to be reminded to go and don't have to find out when it is on. By taking away the work for the audience they are more likely to indulge and go to the film.

Mp3 soundtrack, live streaming
The soundtrack is streamed live on the website for the audience to listen to after they have watched the film. On the same page as the soundtrack is a link to purchasing the soundtrack CD, this is a chance for fans of the film to re-listen to the film and decide whether or not to purchase the soundtrack.

Audience
I think the main target audience is young children but other fans of the film will be equally interested in the website. People who are also curious about the film will use it to find out information on the film. The children will use it to find out about the film, the soundtrack and the cast.

The benefits of using the website are behind the scenes footage, the trailer, information on release dates and on where to purchase the DVD and CD. You can also access information on how the film was made, the cast, the crew and their other work so that you can watch their other work on the basis that if you enjoyed this one you will enjoy their other work.

Institutions
The only institution involved is Warner Brothers, the producer of the film. This allows them to not only promote this film, but the soundtrack and other films that they have produced in collaboration with the Director of this film.

Warner Brothers uses the video clips and mp3 live streaming of the soundtrack as well as downloadable backgrounds, the mobile updates etc all make the audience feel as though they are receiving something unique and exclusive. They gain extra information over people who have just gone to see the film and this puts them above their peers in terms of knowledge of the film, the way it is made etc. This gratification encourages audience loyalty to the film and the Director and to some extent to the production company, meaning that when the film and soundtrack come out they are more likely to purchase them as they feel they are buying something worth the money.

Key concepts
The key concepts which work on this website are interactivity, time-shift and portability.

Portability
Portability is present because the technology of sending cinema times and dates, as well as wallpapers, to a mobile phone allows the consumer to find out information whilst on the go.

Interactivity
Interactivity is present with the video clips, the mp3 files, the wallpapers and the mobile phone updates. These all allow the consumer to find out more about the film and interact with the website.

Time-shift
Time-shift occurs because the audience can listen to the soundtrack when they want and they can also what the trailer whenever they want. They don’t have to watch the film for the soundtrack or wait for the trailer to be aired on the TV to watch it. It provides them with more flexibility in enjoying the soundtrack or in finding out about the film.