Once upon a time, there was an indie horror flick called Walking Distance, about a small town where weird government experiments happen. It starred Friday the 13th’s (and Friday the 13th Part 2′s!) Adrienne King, plus a bunch of other people you probably don’t know. Or didn’t until one of said people, Katie Featherston, became an overnight sensation thanks to Paranormal Activity. So how might Walking Distance’s distribution company celebrate this unexpected windfall? Change the movie’s name to…Experimental Activity. Get it?
Of course you do.
“Walking Distance could be any genre and that is confusing for people who want to see it. So we wanted a name that felt more ‘genre’,” Cara Shapiro, Vice President of Acquisitions for Showcase Entertainment, explained via email. And if the new title happens to shamelessly capitalize on evoke what is shaping up to be the biggest box office phenomenon of the year, so be it, right?
Hey, far be it for me to judge. It’s always been survival of the fittest in the movie industry, so why wouldn’t the good folks at Showcase seize a golden opportunity like this? I think it’s pretty damn hilarious, actually. Even more amusing is that Featherston has what sounds like, at best, a minor role in Experimental Activity. Here’s what she told me last month (prior to the rechristening, of course): “My good friend James LaMarr produced Walking Distance and I flew down literally for a day and did two scenes for that.” Two scenes. At least Featherston’s mug isn’t splashed all over the poster (left). Well…not yet, anyway. (Showcase is still figuring out if the movie will get a theatrical or DVD release.)
What do you think of the title switcheroo? Funny, savvy bit of marketing genius? Or pathetic, sure-to-backfire marketing ploy?
Comments (1-15) of 20 Add your comment
The cutesy-sarcastic strikeouts of “what you REALLY mean” are annoying. Stop it.
agreed.
wow…getting a bit testy…i like them Missy!
a lot of people do them. it’s not just her thing
I laughed when I read the title to this article. Which should also imply I wouldn’t see the movie that so obviously tries to capitalize on what is a very well made movie. This one looks like crap. People will think it’s a joke movie. ‘Nuff said.
I thought this was a spoof!!!
Hey times are hard…if it creates more buzz for the film i don’t blame them one bit
The second one.
This is both pathetic and pretty funny. That’s a hard combo to pull off. Kudos.
Of course any movie that has to resort to doing something like this can’t possibly be any good, so I’ll pass.
I’ve seen the trailer for this, back when it dawned the original name, it still looked terrible.
his reasoning does make sense, although he’s still totally ripping off PA
I think the trailers look cool.
The producers clarify the INTERNATIONAL name change here: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34386/walking-distance-experimental-activity-title-switch-update
This sort of thing happens all of the time. Don’t blame the filmmakers.
This is extremely pathetic. I honestly know some people who would fall for this though, so the movie might make a lot of money if it gets a theatrical release. Isn’t there a way the PA director can sue them? Does the name have any kind of copyright on it or is it fair game? This movie looks extremely cheesy and that is pathetic that they’re playing off Katie Featherston’s surprise success. I hope this doesn’t ruin her career by being a part of such a terrible film, but luckily she’s only in 2 scenes. I can’t wait to see the trailers for this: “EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITY STARRING: Katie Featherston from the hit movie PARANORMAL ACTIVITY” Give me a break.
I think the movie looks great and I think it was BRILLIANT marketing on Showcase’s part to rename the movie. I think the poster is HOT!! I can’t wait to see the movie. And Katie Featherston who? Who cares about her … the movie will stand on its own no matter how many scenes she is in. Very savvy marketing in my opinion!
I love that poster! What a cool looking movie. I like the name change. The original title was lame. And if one can capitalize on the success of another film in this economy, I’m all for it! Good name! I’m going to see this movie for sure. All you other haters on here need to get a life.
I agree. I like the title and the poster. I want to see this movie with or without Katie Featherston. It looks rad!
hmmmmm…why does it sound like Yvonne,Barry and Darren were either paid to kiss some royal butt or might even work for Showcase. Seriously the poster looks great even hot? And the film looks great? Umm,okay…