The genius level marketing behind Cloverfield
... but don't go to 1-18-08(dot)com!
“People need to see this, you know? It's gonna be important. People are going to watch this.”
Hi
Cloverfield had many names during production, including Cheese, Slusho! and Chocolate Outrage, but the one that intrigued people the most was 1-18-08. The release date of the movie, as well as the name of the official Cloverfield website.
This website would lead fans down a rabbit hole of clues, direct them to other websites, discuss it in online forums, and it would build an alternate reality game (ARG) based around the backstory of the Cloverfield monster’s true origins. It’s to do with a drilling corporation, an environmental group and a beverage company…
And Clover himself? He’s just a big, clumsy baby…
“My name is Robert Hawkins. It's 6:42 AM on Saturday, May 23rd. Approximately seven hours ago, some... thing attacked the city. I don't know what it is. If you found this tape, I mean if you're watching this right now, then you probably know more about it than I do. Whatever it is, it killed my brother Jason Hawkins, it killed my best friend Hudson Platt and Marlena Diamond, and many many others. We've crashed into Central Park and we've taken shelter underneath this bridge. The military has begun bombing the creature and we're caught in the middle. Okay, ready?”
Don’t go to 1-18-08(dot)com though! It’s apparently got a virus on it now, and I don’t mean little Clover parasites. Although, you definitely don’t want to run into one of those things either!
And finally…
“What is this? A centre for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read... if they can't even fit inside the building?”
Em x
"I discovered your podcast a couple of months ago, Rich and Dave of Unequal Sequel turned me on to your pod (as they have done a few podcasts, actually) and...I bloody love it!There's never a moment your love of films doesn't come through on a show, particularly your deep love of special FX (practical all the way!). Your bonkers Keanu Reeves obsession and tie-ins are great fun”
Kyle
Verbal Diorama is now an award-winning podcast! I won the Best Movie Podcast in the inaugural Ear Worthy Independent Podcast Awards recently. I am beyond thrilled, and hugely grateful to the Ear Worthy team. It means so much to me to be recognised by a fellow indie outlet, and congratulations to all the other winners!
