How Can Social Media Shape The Fate Of Movies?

From the golden age to the current digital cinema revolution, movies were promoted and underwent an extraordinary transformation. Today it is driven by the unstoppable force of social media. It opened new roads for filmmakers and audiences alike but has challenges.
Let’s explore the world of movie promotion and reviews in the social media. Every tweet, post and video can make or break a film.

Film Promotions on Social Media

Promoting movies is an art. Before social media, flashy posters, newspaper ads, and TV commercials ruled the game. Today, social media has taken centre stage, offering filmmakers ample tools to create a buzz around their creations. The reach is outstanding, creating an undeniable impact.

Before social media, promoting movies was a beautiful affair. Artists would carefully design and hand-draw posters printed and pasted on walls, fences, and billboards for people who walk past them. In smaller towns, rickshaws were used to announce the releases, and poster pamphlets were thrown. All old means required effort, creativity, and time for people to pay attention.

Today, with numerous platforms, a single picture, fan-made edits, or a short videos can instantly reach millions. Movie promotions and reviews are faster, broader and more engaging, but the old-school charm of those hand-drawn posters still holds memories for many.

Social media removes geographical boundaries, allowing promotions to reach global audiences. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube create space for fans and filmmakers to engage in real-time. They can create a shared sense of excitement. The viral nature of social media means that a single tweet, quirky meme, or the right hashtags can place a movie in global conversations.

The Advantage

What makes social media so powerful for film promotions?
Let me break it down for you:

• Social media knows no borders, making it a perfect stage for international promotions towards global reach.
• Filmmakers can connect with audiences directly, creating anticipation and buzz when dealing with real-time interaction.
• Online campaigns are cost-effective compared to traditional advertising, offering far more reach.
• Platforms collect user data, helping filmmakers promote movies to the right audience.
• From attractive posters to interviews and behind-the-scenes, the possibilities are infinite with plenty of room for creative freedom.
• Fans contribute with their own creations like posters or memes, giving movies free promotions.

The advantages do not stop here. Social media also provides filmmakers with instant feedback and valuable analysis. Usually, they learn what works and how to improve their strategies, giving them a deeper understanding of their audiences.

But…Social Media is also a Spoiler Fest.

While social media is a filmmaker’s dream, it can also become their worst nightmare. Once a movie hits theatres, the open information shared on socials is a treasure for spoilers. A tweet or a post revealing every twist can ruin the audience’s experience. This disrespect for the hard work of filmmakers, actors, and technicians. This will also sabotage a movie’s box office performance, and there are live examples across all the primary film industries in India.

Pirated footage, personal biases, and fake and overly critical influencers can unfairly steer public opinion. Everyone has their likes and dislikes and such personal bias sometimes paints reviews, leading to unnecessary negativity. Even well-made movies suffered from numerous critics’ personal preferences or prejudices, taking the spotlight.

For lakhs of people, hundreds of influencers are porters of public opinion. Their reviews, opinions and recommendations shape audience expectations. A single review can make or break a movie, creating massive hype or will throw at the foot of criticism.

At the same time, very limited influencers offer honest, real-time feedback. Professional critics and general audiences often share instant reactions, turning socials into a library of opinions. This helps filmmakers better understand what viewers want and doesn’t.

Social Media: A Blade’s Potential to Cut from Both Sides.

Social media promotes, discusses, and consumes movies. While it provides unmatched opportunities for filmmakers to reach and engage with audiences, it also poses challenges like spoilers, personal biases, and the pressure of viral trends.

For the modern filmmaker, mastering the art of social media promotions is no longer optional. It’s a critical piece of the success puzzle.

We all hold the power to influence with a single post. The magic of cinema is decided not just by what’s on the big screens but also by what’s on our phone screens.

Will social media continue to uplift cinema, or will its darker side overshadow the magic of the movies?

Also Read: Indian Art Creators Transforming The Ordinary Into Extraordinary Visuals On Instagram