I've been reading all the press on "The Dark Knight" and am drooling in anticipation of actually seeing the film. One thing that strikes me is how often it is reported that a large portion of the movie was shot on 65mm IMAX, which I found out is Kodak film stock. It seems to me that in general, but particularly this movie, Kodak is missing out on a tremendous base of advertising tie-ins that could bring film back to the public conciousness. I sent them off this e-mail:
For all those other armchair advertising execs, or real ones for that matter, what are your thoughts on this potential source of publicity?
I'm a big fan of Kodak's products for my photography, both snapshot and 'artistic' and am saddened by the dwindling market for film and the impact that has on the pool of products I have to choose from. In light of the immense attention on the film "The Dark Knight" particularly regarding the scenes shot on 65mm film, I'm wondering why Kodak did not make an attempt to do a marketing tie-in? In my work at a 1-hour lab many customers are surprised to find out that film is even being made any more! While the motion picture industry has always dwarfed consumer still photography in its use of film, the drop in sales has surely been a significant part of Kodak's decline. With this film being THE motion picture event of 2008, highly anticipated even since the release of its predecessor, it seems to me that Kodak missed out on a HUGE opportunity to bring your products back in to the spotlight. Imagine a television ad with the grandiosity of "The Dark Knight" and then proclaiming to the world that it was shot on Kodak film... For the health of your company, and the health of my hobby and livelihood, please tell me why Kodak does not take advantage of opportunities like this!
Kind regards,
Justin Silber
(user of Kodachrome 64 and 400TX in 35mm and 320TXP in 4x5)
For all those other armchair advertising execs, or real ones for that matter, what are your thoughts on this potential source of publicity?
