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[The Smiler] Marketing discussion

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I really really like it. Very bright and Alton Towers, it has a wide appeal, and unlike some of the other adverts we've seen for Merlin products you instantly know what it is: It's a big 14 looping rollercoaster with a zany theme.
 
T said:
GAGrathea said:
there's only 1 Kelman actor...
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During my two run throughs of The Sanctuary, on the same day, within an hour of each other, Dr Kelman changed actor to a different man. I am aware that when people on here refer to 'Dr K' they mean the one we have grown accustomed to, however it doesn't and shouldn't mean that if (and it's a big if) Dr Kelman indeed does have a role in The Smiler, that it can't be played by this second actor, and/or a new actor. Look at Sir Edward England - That's firmly and obviously one character, played by a plethora of actors, yet it remains perfectly clear that the character hasn't changed, and is the same persona as ever.
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There is only one Dr Kelman. There other actor you would have had was just playing a doctor, not Dr Kelman.



As for the advert, I really like it! It fits a lot in, and I think it is very visually impressive. It's not really dark and I think that's probably a good thing. Instead of being really dark it's a bit quirky and fun and to me that is very Alton Towers. It's also clear to see that some inspiration was taken from the Oblivion advert.

Also, I'm actually pleased that they used a more normal version of ITHOTMK in it. I don't think the themed "ha ha ha" version would have worked all that well in a TV ad.

I personally don't think there will be another version of the advert (apart from a shorted 10 second version). They were determined to make Thirteen seem as scary as possible which I think is why they did a post-watershed version as well. I can't see it happening here even though it would be more well suited than it was for Thirteen.

:)
 
WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE NEVER HAPPY.

The advert wasn't made for enthusiasts. It's for the GP. You only need to look on the comments on the ad on Alton Tower's Facebook page to see it has gone down brilliantly.

And surely we should be happy that people are saying OMG GET ME ON THIS rather than "looks rubbish".

Christ. I like it. No. I love it.
 
Having just watched all the older ride adverts, this is up there with the best.

We have had 4 Viral Internet Ad, and 1 TV Ad. I think it is great, its gets a message across, and does it all in 30 seconds.

It also confirms the ride will be open on the 23rd, which should put a lot of peoples worries to rest.

Ian
 
Regardless of whether something is successful or not doesn't affect whether I like something or not.

I don't really like it. That doesn't mean I'm miserable, It means I have my own tastes. I'd say liking something based on its success with other people, is probably more miserable, then judging it to your own tastes.

I dislike will.I.ams music, but they know a damn site more about making money then me, so I won't criticise what they are doing, only I will criticise their products because it is entirely an objective opinion.

I dislike the advert because it seemed rushed, their seemed to be no pacing. I will wait till I get home though for a final decision, I've only scene it on a phone using a crappy mobile network.


Edit: I still wouldn't call the online videos viral.
 
Hopefully an honest and fair analysis of the advert... (and remember it's only my opinion :twirly:)

Opening

So we see the 'caricature' Alton Towers with a BLUE SKY, everything looking very pleasant. Then a crow holding a swirly lollypop enters and drops down which reveals the smiler. This feels like a nice transition to 'happy place' to 'sinister place'. The crow or raven are recognised as evil omens and predict the sinister happenings of the next part...

Join us...

So we then see a crazed dude sat in The Smiler with normal visitors getting on. This communicates a difference between the two people, those who are marmalised and those who are not. The 'normal' visitor looks at him cautiously after the marmalised guy says 'join us'. This further asserts an evil or sinister theme. The ride proceeds to 'launch' down a spirally tunnel, a close up on the riders eye communicates that a hypnotic effect is occurring. This part of the advert gives me hope that there may be more lights/effects added to the tunnel.


The Track

This for me is the biggest problem of the whole advert. We see the train propelling around the track and inversions, switching between POV and other cameras. But what about the surroundings? Beautiful blue sky and green... certainly not sinister or evil. It could be said that it's beautiful because the riders are marmalised, but see there is no difference to the surroundings here than in the beginning of the advert. Maybe a dark/grey surrounding (much like x-sector is) turning insanely colourful and trippy when the rider is marmalised could have worked better. The advert continues showing the insanity of the track well and proceeds to show two encounters with the marmaliser.


The Marmaliser

The first encounter is with the 'Giggler' leg of the marmaliser. The advert depicts the rider inhaling the gas which makes his eyes spiral. He then passes the marmaliser screen, watching himself as he goes by in a weird, transe-like manner. The 'big brother' and 'Orwellian' feel is communicated well here.

One of us...

The final sequence depicts the once separate riders grinning as one. The normal visitor has made the transition and is now 'one of us' or marmalised. The original sinister guy says 'you belong to The Smiler'. The camera then makes a close up on the swirling eyes which then morph into The Smiler logo.


On the whole I think the advert is good and would communicate well to the general public. However my geekdom is upset by the lack of detail and the excessive embellishment of the rides features. I'm all for embellishment, but this does push the limits. In my opinion I believe a lay audience would also think it was launched, or in their words 'like Rita'.

Certainly not a classic like Nemesis, Oblivion or Air, but nowhere near as dire at Rita's. I'd say it falls in-between these two points.

auntiiimartiii said:
WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE NEVER HAPPY.

The advert wasn't made for enthusiasts. It's for the GP. You only need to look on the comments on the ad on Alton Tower's Facebook page to see it has gone down brilliantly.
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All we can do is give our opinions, we are not the general public, we are AT geeks. We will never be happy, never satisfied... And we will always think we could do it better. :twirly:
 
I'll be glad when it's open and people have been on.

More of these required =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D.
 
I am glad the adverts have come out now rather then before testing. Imagine the 20 pages of speculation about a vertical launch... I mean 20 more pages about a vertical launch....
 
Now I have seen it in HD its much better then I initially thought. I think it is a good advert, really bright... But also had that sinister glaze.
 
HERE SOMES MR CRITICAL.....

It's fine, what's the problem?

Made me laugh. Very colourful and enticing.
 
Its a great advert. Uses the normal Alton Towers Resort imagery we have seen for the N:ST and Ice age. It shows the ride off and has lots of ride shots. It gets the message across well and for an advert that last only 30secs, it does a good job of telling you what the ride will be like as well as obviously trying to get you to buy tickets.
 
I hope all of the little CGI'd details like the pipes in the station (congruous with the exterior) make it into the finished product:

backgroundpipes.jpg
 
TheMan said:
HERE SOMES MR CRITICAL.....

It's fine, what's the problem?

Made me laugh. Very colourful and enticing.
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You posted about the advert and *didn't* mention Dr K?! I'm amazed! ;)
 
Loads of detail in the first few seconds of the advert. Swirling clouds, swirl paint on the buildings, swirly street lamp, swirly roundabout and of course the swirly lolly. As Sam as already stated, the crow is symbolic and all this happens within the first 2seconds of the advert. Not bad considering half the target audience wont even notice it.
 
It's ok, not amazing but it does the job; makes me want to visit AT and ride The Smiler.

(From a member of the 'GP')
 
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