Gizmodo confirms a rumor we actually first read in the comments here at PreCentral.net: Palm is creating a viral video in Seattle. We'll let LA Actor tell the story:
I know this will fall into the unsubstantiated rumor category, but here's what I learned today: I was at a casting studio auditioning and noticed next door they were holding a casting session for the "Palm Pre Viral" campaign. It was a non-union gig, so I hadn't been asked to audition, but I talked to one of the actors after he left the room.
The "viral campaign" begins, contractually, tomorrow. They are going to put the actor up in an apartment in Seattle. The actor is going to pretend he is a man who is upset because the Pre has not been released. He will have a camera on him in his "living room" and will be posting to Facebook and MySpace all day. The idea is that he won't leave his apartment until Palm releases the Pre. The ad agency was calling it a "protest." Eventually, the actor learns Palm knows about his protest and then they make contact - finally giving in to his demands. The actors have been told they will be done with the shoot on June 5th.
So, June 6th, a Saturday is looking like a good bet from what I've just heard.
Actors often know of things ahead of time because of ad campaigns.
Let's see: a "man upset because the Pre has not been released." That's a pretty good descriptor of a lot of us here (although we have to hedge on the 'man' part, there are a lot of ladies in the Pre House). Seems pretty well designed to either make a lot of us waiting for the Pre either laugh or tear our hair out -- or both. Sounds viral to us.
The date span is interesting: the shoot lasts from 4/29 through 6/5, but this being one of these low-cost for-the-internet type of things, it's likely we'll see it air before June. If the ending date is any indication of anything pertaining to the release date is an open question, but one we can see a few different ways.
Now -- since we're already reporting on the making of a video designed to get us to report on it (i.e. the definition of 'viral'), does that make this purported PR video über-viral?
Thanks to Derek and William for the heads-up and to LA Actor for the original tip!
Comments
Wow your fast dieter. I just read that thread, when i refreshed and saw it on main page.
I guess we have our release date. June 5th. If this guy is not going to leave his apartment until the Pre is released, and it says that Palm is going to contact him and "give in to his demands," and this whole thing ends June 5th, that looks to be the day. Am I missing something here?
It is still possible that the Pre will be released ahead of June 5 as the guy could spend time with the Pre on camera for days after the release...slim chance at best but still possible...
That's insulting to everyone who has been waiting, just fix a date and freaking tell us already, what a bunch of stupid bs. I hope they do not try this.
Sounds like it's be ages until release then - since this advert won't be the one they use in the weeks prior to release.
I am beginning to become skeptical, for several reasons. Why would a "non-union" actor get SAG wages for something that will not be shown on T.V? Viral marketing is word of mouth social networking. Secondly, an actor is not told anything beyond what they are auditioning for, how would the alleged actor know the specifics of the entire campaign? Thirdly, why is the project name, labeled "Palm Pre Viral"? It does not become viral until it makes it to social mediums, Myspace, Facebook, etc. Forth, if it is a "viral campaign", why would they need to video record the actor posting to Myspace, Facebook? As I mentioned, the viral campaign is the person spreading the word around the internet. Lastly, look at the web address on that so-called casting notice: http://www.brandonhardesty.com/
Why would the casting agency put that web address on their casting notice!
#1, that is WAYYYY below SAG wages. Asking an actor to stay in an apartment for over a month is going to be costly. That's why we have these things called "agents."
#2 - Actors are told a lot more than you believe. Your assumption is just incorrect. When auditioning for something like this they have to run you through different scenarios, which is how I found out from another actor what was going on.
#3 - It is named "Palm Pre Viral" because they want it to become viral, not because it already is. I have auditioned for many "viral" campaigns. It's very, very common.
#4 - the casting agent put his name on the breakdown because he actually wants people to contact him via email. Imagine that in this day and age. Someone actually wanting to be contacted by email.
#5 - I get these breakdowns every day from my agent. This is exactly how they look and it appears to be real, especially considering I described this well before another website dug it up.
But you keep on trying to strangely disprove something that seems obviously real.
#1. It is not "WAYYYY below SAG wages", a principal "UNION" actor is paid around $550 for an 8 hour day. Only the well established actors make thousands, there are very few of them. In fact, most union actors make $5000 a year or less. Isn't it supposedly for "non-union" work?... It shouldn't be "costly", RIGHT?
#2. I know a lot more than you believe, I live in the LA area I know many folks in the business. My company has business associations with several of the large studios. I do know casting notices are vague. Having "Palm Pre Viral" on it leads me to think it's bogus. E.g, "Wireless commercial", is typically what would be on a casting notice.
#3. see #2, Also, so now you've auditioned for "viral campaigns". How convenient!
#4. That link on the so-called casting notice is NOT to an agent.
#5. The notice obviously appears to be for the agent, hint, "only send talent that can live in Seattle."
I do not know what you're trying to prove, for all we know, you could be the one who sent that alleged casting notice to the blogs. I stand by what I said, I believe it is bogus.
#1) A contract from 4/48/09 to 6/5/09 is around 280 a day, which is WAYYYYY below. That's just above have. So, you're wrong. Also, you didn't include overtime, which one would expect when one is living in an apartment as a gig.
No, most union actors don't make 5,000 a month. Most aren't working, the rest of us make decent money, hence the average you picked out to make your point, which actually undermines it. Had you had any knowledge of the business, you would know this.
#2) Congrats on living in LA. You know nothing about commercial casting. But, by all means, keep arguing with a guy who makes six figures a year doing commercials.
#3) Some viral campaigns are union. Some, like this one, aren't. That wasn't hard to figure out, was it?
#4) That means nothing.
#5) Good for you for realizing agents are sent casting breakdowns. You're making baby steps.
Good for you. I didn't send the notice because I wasn't sent the breakdown because I didn't audition for it because I'm a union actor.
Also, you are seriously strange.
Who are you trying to fool?... You're not fooling me, now you all of a sudden make six figures doing commercials, RIIIGHT! What commercial have you been in? Give it up, you're full of it. As I posted below, you don't shoot a viral commercial, you shoot a video, the internet decides if it's viral.
Many of us make six figures doing commercials. Again, you know so little it is ridiculous. I know you don't shoot viral commericials, but that's what the ad agencies call them. Sorry, but, again, you know nothing.
Good luck with your life and send me an apology on June 7th.
You still haven't provided what "commercial" you've been in. Out of 100,000 union actors, only 50 make more than $50,000 a year, you are not one of those 50, LOL! PLEASE!!! So now it's a commercial?... Just give it up already!
Nice evaluation Informed! I hope you are right!
I am sure there are at least 15... 20,000 out-of-work Union actors who would work for half of that $10,000. The union actor would have to get a release from their union in order to work non-union. The other Red Flag is, the so-called casting notice states: Flat fee $10,000, which includes Agency fee (the agency fee is negotiated between actor and their agent, not casting) Per-diem, which cannot be part of the flat fee. Etc? What is etc??
I learned that viral actors usually volunteer their service or they are paid minimum wage.
Seriously, you don't know what you are talking about. In a buy out, the casting director always tells the agent how much it will be and this information is forwarded to the actor.
And yes, there are probably 20,000 non-union actors who would work for that half that amount. Which director and ad agency do you think wants to watch 20,000 auditions? I actually can't think of one. Most non-union actors have agents who try to get them gigs and into the union. Casting directors want actors with agents because those who don't have agents are considered to be very, very bad. It's a weeding out process that you clearly don't understand.
Why can't per-diem be part of the flat fee? It's a non-union gig, which means there are no rules.
I'm glad you learned viral actors volunteer or get paid minimum wage. I've worked as an actor for ten year and have never heard of that.
Where does it say "buy out" on that notice? The actor does not know the specifics of the contract until they get the job. I did not say they should audition 20,000 actors, don't try and spin it. If the so-called shoot is a day under or a day over, is the actor going to be paid for work they did not do, or will they work a day extra without being compensated? If you have been in the business for 10 years, you should know that most union actors are paid Extra (background) wages, a lot of non-union actors are paid minimum wage or sometimes do not get paid at all, they get credit, meals and a video. This is not even for a T.V. commercial, it's internet word of mouth.
Offering a set fee for a job is a "buy out."
You know nothing about this business.
Stop.
A "set fee" does not mean it's a buy out, stop trying to BS here. The more you post that garbage, the more you look like a a fraud.
It is exactly a buy out. If there are no residuals involved and you are getting one fee for a job, then it is considered a buy out.
You are obtuse.
Uh... Remember it is supposedly "Non-union", non-union actors do not get residuals!
How about those of us upset that Palm and Vzw can't be friends?
If this is accurate, Palm/Sprint runs a HUGE risk of ticking off those people anxiously waiting for the Pre. They could, in fact, make these people feel as though Palm was laughing at them and turn them against Palm. Not everyone will embrace this type of "marketing". However, this may be the perfect way to reach a certain demographic.
Neither Palm, nor Sprint, is in a position to chase away potential customers. Let's face it, this is their last chance to stay in business.
Protest? I'd say its a pretest! :)
You're welcome. Glad to be of help. I am going crazy waiting for the Pre myself.
I’d say it’s meta-viral.
I don't understand why Sprint and Palm don't want this thing out before the buzz wanes off and the buzz around the 3rd gen iPhone hits the streets. Apple and AT&T is talking about a 3rd gen iPhone coming in June/July. They need to get the Pre out before the buzz is all iPhone and kills any potential Pre sales.
A poster from Gizmodo commented, "You don't make a viral video. You make a video. The internet decides if it's viral."
That is 100% accurate!
That's really not 100% accurate. First, something is viral if "the Internet" makes it so, yes, but marketing and advertising agencies make videos specifically for the purposes/hopes of becoming "viral" all the time, and those projects are usually referred to as "viral campaigns" internally well before it's actually being passed around the Internet - before it's even produced. You refer to a house as a "house" before it's finished being built, right? You're creating a house. Then it IS a house, but until then you have to call it something. It's just what they call it - "Viral video". It's very common in marketing/advertising.
Second, it IS viral now. We’re already talking about it here and several other places throughout the ‘net, and we don’t even know if it’s true.
The bigger problem that I have though is with the conclusion that if this campaign is real, that the end date of the campaign = the release date. It was suggested above that the actors might not be privy to the entire story. So, why do we assume the story ends with this character getting their Pre and going home, and it’s all over? Why wouldn’t Palm continue to use that character and storyline to market the phone for a few weeks AFTER it’s released?
Furthermore, releasing the Pre 2 days BEFORE Apple’s Dev conference - where they will likely announce their new “iPhone Lite” and/or tablet or whatever it is they’re working on – would be PR suicide.
Therefore, I’m inclined to expect it to drop in mid-May instead.
On the other hand, it could be that this actor will also be shot for videos to be released later - you know the way things typically work in film. And thus, this “viral campaign’s” shooting schedule has nothing to do with anything, and maybe Palm will be trying to steal Apple’s PR thunder instead by releasing in late June.
Did we forget the Palm Centro Christmas marketing blitz that went by the name of "Claus?" It featured Santa Clause remixed through the power of the Palm Centro. He has a Facebook page(www.facebook.com/claus) with over 90,000 followers. He was an actor that had a Facebook page that he posted and responded to almost everyday, made viral videos, and marketed the product.
People that was almost 6 months prior to this new Pre protest viral campaigns launch date, and it started almost exactly a month before Palm swept CES! Sounds like they geared up for the Christmas sales to make capital to release the Pre, mind you their stock was at like $2 a share. Sounds like this new viral campaign is factual, just not confirmed.
But how about this, at the bottom of this article http://tinyurl.com/qv93ed we see that it says the marketing agency that did the Claus campaign was Seattle based. And how bout it, the marketing company's website http://www.creatureseattle.com is down for construction...coincidence? But we can confirm that the Palm Centro Claus campaign is their work (http://www.creatureseattle.com/USB/reel.html). You be the judge but to me, Palm has been (and should have been) planning this rejuvenation of life back into the company for a while, starting with the Centro.
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