These blocks are usually full of voters; Paramount Pictures is there, as is Raleigh Studios, where Netflix rents production space. With most of the people in Los Angeles still holed up at home, the thoroughfare was eerily quiet at 5:30 p.m. last Monday. Actual crickets chirped at Paramount’s closed Bronson Gate, which had a sign that read, “By government order, access to the studio is now restricted. “
Funny at best, absurd at worst?
“The public must be so confused,” said Ms. Stone.
None of the studios or streaming services looking for awards would comment on this article. Campaigns are commonplace but remain a taboo subject. No film company wants to look like it is trying to manipulate voters.
However, it’s easy to understand where they come from.
“Like a political campaign, you have to rise at the right moment,” said Paul Hardart, director of entertainment, media and technology programs at New York University’s Stern School of Business. “At this point, you need the maximum exposure. And that’s hard to do. How do you get up to date at the right time? “
So the prey must go on.
As part of its promotion for Nomadland about an impoverished van resident, Searchlight Pictures sent a bound copy of the script to voters. The Hollywood press corps received “Nomadland” wine glasses, a “Nomadland” license plate, “Nomadland” key rings, a “Nomadland” t-shirt and a 5 x 2 foot “Nomadland” sunscreen.
To celebrate the virtual premiere of the film on February 18, Searchlight, in collaboration with local small businesses, delivered a “curated concession box” to the homes of the invited people. This included artisanal beef dried meat, jam with wild berries, oranges, pears, dried apricots, dill cucumber slices, banana bread, salami (“humanly raised”) and a chocolate canister.
