“This Man” Dream Viral to Become Feature Film Dan Koelsch, May 6, 2010 If you are an avid fan of ARGs and other viral marketing, you may have already heard of ThisMan.org, a website that claims hundreds of people have seen the same unknown man in their dreams. The website is designed as sort of a case study, with descriptions of dreams, theories, subjects’ drawings, and more. It’s created quite a stir with many on the Internet, and it has gotten the attention of Hollywood. See how one horror director is looking to turn a hoax into a hit. The website feels very authentic, and many believed for a time that this phenomenon was real. The man depicted is generic enough that those who come to the site might make a connection, and the international postings of the “Ever Dream This Man?” flyers seemed to imply those behind the site were really looking for an answer. However, it turned out to be a viral marketing attempt by Andrea Natella, an Italian sociologist and marketing guru, discovered on Unfiction via a WHOis search. On the site’s guestbook, someone even linked to a website where you can make a facial sketch that pretty much matches This Man. Still, it’s a great idea, and eventually someone was bound to notice. Ever Dream This Man? As Slashfilm reports, the movie This Man will be written and directed by Bryan Bertino, who last directed The Strangers for Rogue Pictures. The film is being made by Sam Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures, and the plot is a nice twist on the viral premise, as the company’s press release describes below.Based on real life accounts, THIS MAN follows an ordinary guy who discovers that people he has never met are seeing him in their dreams. Now he must find out why he is the source of nightmares for strangers all over the world.The “based on real life accounts” part seems a bit iffy, since the only evidence of people dreaming about This Man is from those who have seen the website. Either way, this looks to go beyond your standard horror fare, so I’ll be interested to see how it does. Have you ever dreamed of THIS MAN? Viral Marketing ARGBryan BertinoGhost House PicturesSam RaimiThis Man
Elaborate Bansky Oscar Campaign or Mr. Brainwash Street Art? February 1, 2011February 27, 2011Exit Through the Gift Shop was not only a hit at last year’s Sundance, it has already achieved a cult status within the film community. Not only that, but the film that documented street artists like Bansky and Mr. Brainwash has earned itself an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary. In… Read More
Tourism New Zealand Hosts “The Hobbit” Contest at Comic-Con June 30, 2012If you’re a big fan of the Lord of the Rings series and are looking forward to this December’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, then you might want to get down to San Diego Comic-Con this year. Tourism New Zealand is hosting a contest where you get a 6 day… Read More
Comic Book Review: “Man of Steel Prequel #1” May 21, 2013May 21, 2013Warner Bros.’ Superman reboot Man of Steel is less than a month away, and much of the plot is still a mystery. Fortunately, DC has made available to Walmart advance ticket holders a prequel comic that gives a bit of insight to the film. For those who didn’t buy their… Read More