Tag: last resort

Post Apocalyptic 1950’s – The Fitzroy – A SQM Special Report

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments
For those of you new to my word, SQM stands for Sydney Quotes the Movies.  Every long running feature deserves its own catchy acronym.

I am fascinated by submarines.  The idea of living in a metal canister with artificial air for months at a time underwater is scary and cool all at the same time.  I love submarine shows(Last Resort) and movies (Crimson Tide), too.

I have even had the opportunity to tour the USS Dolphin in San Diego.

So, when I heard about this new film, I wanted to help spread the word.

Welcome to The Fitzroy:

Meet our Hero – Bernard The Bellboy

Meet the rest of the Characters

The Story

The Fitzroy is a live action black comedy set in an alternative, post-apocalyptic, 1950’s.  The Fitzroy hotel, a derelict submarine beached just off Margate, is the last place for a traditional summer holiday.

Bernard, the hotel’s overworked and under-appreciated bellboy, faces a constant battle to keep the rusting hotel afloat and ship shape.  But when he falls in love with one of the guest, the murderous femme fatale Sonya, he is thrown into a world of lies, chaos and literal backstabbing.

Read the Quotes

“Well you’ve got the beach, bit cold this time of year but still nice. Just stay way from the sewage outlet.”  – Bernard
 
“WAKE UP YOU GOOD-FOR-NOTHINGS! I SAID WAKE UP AND GET OUT. GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN.” – Mr. Thompson
 
“A business partner, a co-owner, a lover. Whatever you want to call me.” – Sonya
 
“MURDER. “Murder” – you say it just like that, like it’s nothing, just murder that’s all. Murder.” – Bernard (I think I am going to like Bernard)

Meet the Film Makers

James Heath, Andrew Harmer & Liam Garvo

Get Involved

The shooting production budget for The Fitzroy is £50,000. They are looking to raise £60,000 through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter, which, once Kickstater’s fee and the reward costs are removed, should leave them with £50,000. Opportunely, Kickstarter UK launched on the 31st October just in time for The Fitzroy campaign.

Kickstarter is the best-recognised and most respected crowdfunding website. It’s full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. Since their launch in 2009, over $350 million has been pledged by more than 2.5 million people, funding more than 30,000 creative projects.

Kickstarter link: www.thefitzroy.com/ks
Twitter: @the_fitzroy
Email: hello@thefitzroy.com
URL: www.thefitzroy.com
Blog: http://thefitzroy.wordpress.com/ 
 
For more information, download The Fitzroy Press Kit. 

Character Profiles as a Marketing Tool

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I was watching one of my 4 English channels.  Yes, my much anticipated move to Shanghai reduced my tv watching options.  Recently, they have been heavily advertising a new show called Last Resort.  It stars Andre Braugher and Scott Speedman(the hot guy from Felicity).

One marketing tool they use in Asia is marketing the show as airing the same week as the US telecast.  I don’t really get that one, I mean really, who cares.  It’s not like I am calling up my friends in the US to see if they caught the latest episode of The Amazing Race season 400.  It’s kind of an expensive call, we stick to important topics.

But, a more effective marketing tool they are using is 15 second character profiles.

Still hot.
The first profile they show is of Scott Speedman’s character, Sam Kendal.  
In 15 seconds you learn:
Sam is the XO on the USS Colorado.  
He is the morally conscious character.  
He spells charm without a c. (not sure what that means)
Committed and Determined
He’s as loyal to his country as he is to his wife.
*Imagine these lines delivered by the movie trailer guy voice.  

In an action packed promo, they tell who he is, his motivation and his role in the series.  They use images and quotes from him that make you instantly like him, relate to him and want to root for him.

In a clearly action packed type series; regular promos show submarines, bombs, and drama, drama, drama,  ABC understands in order to have a successful series long term, the audience has to get to know and care about what happens to the characters.

This is a great tool to use in book promotion as well.  A book and a television series are similar in they takes some commitment from the reader and view in order to be successful.  If you don’t like a movie, well, you only committed a couple of hours.  No big deal. But, most series want you to stick around for at least 20 episodes. In books, you want people to read until the last page.

So, how do you keep people turning the page until the end.  They have to either like, hate or at the least, relate to the character. So, why not tell them about your characters early on in the promotion of your book.

My MC Character Profile: 
Sierra is smart, funny and reliable to a fault.
But, when it comes to her own happiness, she has a history of putting others needs above her own.
When she meets John, she realize she could easily fall into her old patterns, but she is determined to not let that be her legacy. 
*In the movie trailer guys voice.  

Use your characters in your marketing to get a head start on letting your audience know why they need to read your book.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to have an awesome  quote like the one used below in every Last Resort Promo.
“I am not going to annihilate  3.4 million Pakistanis without hearing directly
Greatness of Andre Braugher
from someone whose authority that I recognize.” Marcus Chaplin played by Andre Braugher.
 

Share three statements about your MC that will make readers want to read your book.