I'm always interested to see marketing campaigns go viral (or viral content turned into marketing), and so when I saw a sneak preview of "The Fourth Kind" last night I went straight home and started looking at what info the movie folk had put out there.
Now, the movie does a pretty good job of convincing the audience that it is based on "real" events, providing haunting audio and video clips supposedly taken by a doctor studying sleep disorders, even going so far as to pass out a sheet of info at the screening about the "backstory" of the movie, and creating fake online medical publications that "prove" that Dr. Abigail Tyler is a real person. Even the director of the movie and the main actress Milla Jovovich break the fourth wall before the movie and warn the audience that the movie is extra disturbing.
But is this just a good old fashioned attempt to create confusion and buzz about the movie that will lead to a marketing campaign gone viral, or is it misleading advertising? Is there something ethically wrong with trying to trick the audience into believing that this is more documentary than fiction?
Director Olatunde Osunsanmi leaves it up to the audience to decide if the mysterious dissappearences in Nome, Alaska are the work of alien abductions, but he does everything he can to make it seem that the movie "archive" footage and the story the movie is supposed based on are the real deal. I heard a number of people discussing the movie as a documentary as we were leaving.
After the movie, my movie-going friend and I began to dissect the style of the film and the marketing surrounding it, and here are some of the weak spots (and potentially questionable tactics) that appear in both.
Is Dr. Abigail Tyler real?
In addition to the portrayal of Dr. Abigail Tyler by Jovovich, the movie runs some "archive" footage side by side of the "reenactments" that are supposedly the "real" Dr. Abigail Tyler. Now the actress who plays the "real" Dr. Tyler is probably one of the best-cast parts I've seen in a while, her face is seriously haunting, but as for her background story, it doesn't add up. Tyler's only presence on the Web seems to be on a site called (incredibly vaguely) "Medical Journal Archive" and Dr. Abigail Tyler's bio leaves a lot to be desired (like where exactly the "Dr." got her degree). The supposed paper that she wrote about sleep disorders that is republished on the site is ridiculously short for a medical paper. I also find it odd that a site claiming to be a medical journal archive contains only a few "studies" and a couple bios, as well as no "about us" page. The url doesn't match the site name (Alaskapsychiatryjournal.org versus Medical Journal Archive), and the homepage leaves a lot to be desired.
I'm going to continue my search to find the real name of the actress who portrays Dr. Tyler, but I have no doubt she is an actress and not a real doctor.
The Interview at Chapman University
Another piece of "archive" footage is the "real" interview with the director of the movie and Dr. Tyler that supposedly takes place at Chapman University. I was surprised that the director decided to use the Chapman University name and logo in the movie along with that "archive" footage (my fellow movie goer and I thought that it was a weird choice, seeing as how he could have chosen any random university name). Later research brought out that Osunsanmi is actually an alum of Chapman, and a post on the Chapman blog points the movie out as a work of complete fiction, responses to the post chastise the university for allowing the misleading use of its good name, the blog's author responds by saying, "I wouldn't take it too seriously - I think everyone will realize that this is a "Hollywood-ized" fictional film based on supposed "actual events."
Dr. William Tyler's Death
So, even though at this point further disproving the story seems unnecessary, Dr. William Tyler of Nome does not seem to have existed either. The mysterious death of Abigail's husband is a key element in the movie. However, the only bit you can find on Will Tyler online is on a site called the Alaska News Archive, it is a short and oddly vague obituary. The site Alaska News Archive (oddly similar to the Medical Journal Archive), is not a real news site. Again, no "about us" page. And, if you, like me, are an internet nerd, you might have looked up the registration information for the site and found that it was only registered in August of 2009 which seems odd for a site claiming to be from 1998 on.
Anyhow, I'm wondering what people think about marketing tactics such as fabricating medical research papers and inventing "real" doctors. Also, for a movie to say "based on true events" how far from the "true" events should the story line be before it can't claim that? Do you think many people will believe that the movie is actually real? If so, is there harm in that?
I'd also be curious to know what the people of Nome think of the movie.
Friday, October 23, 2009
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49 comments:
I think the "unknown actress on the 4th kind is the same lady that played the healer in grey anatomy. I could be wrong but their voice is the same and they look the same. hmmm
Ok so maybe its not her i looked her up and her name showed and glenne headley (i think). she didn't look as similair as i thought. ok the hunt is still on but i do recognize the face.
Hi, the actress who plays the ''REAL'' Dr Tyler is Aurélie Bancilhon. There is not much on her, but you can Google her images.
I saw this movie yesterday in the UK. I am interested in these kinds of 'things', especially after reading Communion by Whitley Strieber. I don't side either way, neither skeptical or believing, but perhaps like you want to know a bit more about the truth of things...especially such incredible stories of this nature.
I love movies, especially sci-fi...but am intrigued by people who begin to 'bring reality' to the discussion.
For me I had real doubts with Communion when I did a bio on Streiber...he was a relatively unknown author of 'science fiction'! Then bam...communion makes him a star, and a millionaire I would imagine. But he seems so adamant...so positive with his story. Maybe the sci-fi writing is a coincidence and the actual abductions left him subconsciously interested in sci-fi. But I digress from 'The fourth kind'. The production company are definitely hiding something, but I suspect from researching the elements of the film that it is the 'authenticity' of the story...and not the identities of people.
So it begs the question, how can they legally say this is a true story, or even based on a true story...when the people in the film, the audio...film...events etc alien or otherwise do not even exist...and don't seem to exist even in a 'changed identity' way.
You could not hide the facts of who the person was who killed his family! Or the death of her husband and missing child?!? Something like that would be out there...no matter how small, the interent would have that info. But the only info is as you say...linked to 'now non existent' websites, which for sure are viral marketing.
My question is how can they legally do this? To say this is true...and then never say anywhere there after it is made up! Surely that is misleading...so why does some watch dog allow it? Money? It is totally unethical, and I would even say a little bit stinky in a legal sense!
I'm not to sure that Bancilhon looks like the woman in the film. A little bit...but far too pretty.
How do you know it's her?
The problem I had with the whole movie, is that even halfway through the movie, when I had still decided to take the "real" lead at face value, I couldn't help but think that this was just the case of a wacky lady who had some wacky friends who were willing to conspire. I was more concerned that people would be buying the veil this lady was trying to pull over people.
I mean, who lays in bed like that guy?
Further, her acting seemed overdone at best, so if not an actor, she was just a crazy liar.
I went home, and like Haley went to the computer in search of answers, I couldn't find anything on Snopes, so I relied on Google, and was quickly able to decide it was viral marketing.
I feel like they could have done a better job of making it convincing, although, I need to admit I jumped when that spaceship flew over the house.
Firstly, Thanks for doing this research. I new that I would be able to find some debasing facts. Nice that it is all done here.
To reply to the final question?
I think that there are more harmful stories proposed as true. I could name a couple of religions and war rallies, but I will leave that as inference. The only real harm...people might loose faith in Hollywood :).
To be honest, the main give away for myself and a friend that the "real life footage" was infact very much fake was the ridiculously bad make up job on Dr. Tyler, you could see the foundation and the black powder around the eyes, trying to make her look disturbing.
Good research! I'm surprised at how apathetic the Chapman blog is to the tarnishing of the school's reputation in luring people to a movie that is marketing itself as being true and which is using the Chapman name to perpetuate that scam.
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false information on the "real" actress of Dr Abigail Tyler! Aurélie Bancilhon is Lauren off the video game heavy rain! I'm a gamer and would know that, after all I played the game. It's all a matter of believing the paranormal and the extraterrestrial. In my case I do. Perhaps if you were big on researching all the information, like I did even before the movie was ever thought of being made you would know facts from fiction. I have done research on this kind of activities because besides Nome, Alaska; Burlington, Wisconsin is also known for the many sightings and has the most documented sightings of UFO's and extraterrestrial. So please before you go bashing on a movie make sure you get all information and research!
Thanks
Actually anonymous just so you can get your facts right the actress pretending to be Dr. Abigail Tyler is actually an actress named Charlotte Milchard. Thanks
Yet another blooper:
If you look at the extras on the DVD, the deleted scenes include extra footage taken from the suicide in the show, supposedly filmed from the police car camera.
Listen carefully at the beginning, and you'll hear someone call out 'action' before the good doctor runs onto the scene.
Hey guys,
While this is a fairly entertaining movie...it is fake.
The degenerated scenes masked as "real footage" have been doctored in After Effects.
The way the mouth stretches in-humanly wide during the supposed alien possessions is a widely known technique in the world of motion graphics and post production.
The other thing to consider is this...
If aliens do exist and if they are in visitation to our planet, do you believe that a highly intelligent species with superior technology capable of lightspeed space travel...like to disect farm animals for fun and abduct random humans from isolated areas.
These acts are based on false flag operations, in the hope that the public will support the eventual weaponisation of space, through fear and paranoia.
I am in no doubt that the universe is coloured with life...and I am also sure that if aliens are in visitation here on earth currently, there is no evidence to support that they are hostile. Its just films like this that demonize them.
Check out this link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y18Cyb5vYCY
Peace.
The person who plays the "real" Dr. Abigail Tyler is not Charlotte Milchard nor Aurélie Bancilhon, so keep searching.
HI guys.
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BPO projects
I just reviewed Charlote Milchard of London and saw her long list of obscure parts in plays and short films..but in 2008 she is credited with a lead role in the film..the Fourth Kind...so it is indeed fake and she is using it on her resume. The photos of her are identical to the character. I think its insane how people get into this "mob mentality" and believe whatever they are told..its how the Nazis took over Europe. Pathetic!!
Doesnt mean life doesnt exist in space or whatever...just means, This particular account is FAKE!!
and until i have seen proof otherwise of any other accounts..they are all FAKE!!!
take care!
I know that this may seem way off the mark here, but I have actually been to Nome and have family there, and there are no trees such as appear in the "real footage". the only trees in town are two small (13-15 foot fig-like trees) All else is scrub brush and willow clumps. That alone was enough for me, and that my family had never heard of Dr. William.
I think they are liars and frauds and should be held liable in some way. Search the name Charlotte Milchard. She's the actress who played Dr. Abigail "Abbey" Tyler the psychiatrtist. False advertising - bait and swithc. That's illegal in some states. Sadly, I liked Milla Jovovich as an actress, but after this stunt... changes things.
I think they are liars and frauds and should be held liable in some way. Search the name Charlotte Milchard. She's the actress who played Dr. Abigail "Abbey" Tyler the psychiatrtist. False advertising - bait and swithc. That's illegal in some states. Sadly, I liked Milla Jovovich as an actress, but after this stunt... changes things.
but i am still curious that abbey face on video footage and in that interview was a little different.. even when we ignore the face on interview was 'maybe' cause by severe tension and medical issue
I watched this on blu-ray last night and thought that it was a very good film, however was not at all convinced that the 'real'footage was real.However my friend was and hence my google search on this. Thank you for your research and conclusive proof that this was a spoof. I would echo Paul V's comments in that I feel there are a lot more seriously dangerous stories out there that lead people to act in most henious ways,in the name of false gods. The fact that the bogus websites were so badly constructed demonstrates that this is not a serious attempt to mislead people but purely a marketing ploy.
The actress is Charlotte Milchard. On her website charlottemilchard.com it even lits The Fourth Kind as a feature film. Obviously if she's an actress then the "real/actual footage" is fiction. Maybe the "true evvents" part is that Nome Alaska exists...lol
I just watched it and I thought as soon as I saw it that the footage was fake, just the fact that it conveniently cut out whenever the good parts happened screamed FAKE.
Googled Charlotte Milchard... yeah that is the actress who plays Dr. Abigail 'Abbey' Emily Tyler.
I'm also not a believer so I found it even harder to believe.
Charlotte Milchard plays the "Real" doctor in the movie...not Aurélie Bancilhon, whoever suggested that is a pure idiot. google the name
i looked her up, she's an actress. charlotte milchard. its her, just great make-up to make her look weak.
http://api.ning.com/files/XYzRwPMx4es*V11h9yWe3LBYJ1M6UIdWk7inpBuXevmo94mIb4GsqYQQTxnez3EgxCmA1*S-nG93wGEkjzp*x6-k7jOMxZdK/CharlotteMilchard.jpg
I am in the process of writing a paper on the marketing techniques used for this film. There is much to say, but just for fun, there are less than three minutes of "actual audio" used in this film and 13 seconds of "actual video." 13 seconds. And the "actual video" is of a police car dash cam showing the car driving through the woods and then pulling up to a house. This simply could not have been filmed in Nome because, as one commenter stated earlier (and Google Maps will agree) there are no trees in Nome.
This movie is provoking lot's of discussion about the existence of Alien abduction or existing life of Aliens on Earth. Which then provokes religion...and saying that..i believe that it is possible that we are not alone in this universe...if we can reach another planet why couldnt another life form from another planet reach ours? Fruit for thought.
Maybe you're right. Maybe this is some made up BS. All the research was very interesting and could be true. But have you thought of the possibility of the government trying to cover this story up? The government has tried several times to cover up stuff like UFOs and Bigfoot and maybe even aliens as well. You guys could rule this conclusion out entirely. But I wont. There's something out there that we don't know.....and it our job to find out the answers.
Thanks(:
Boner.
To think that our planet is the only to sustain Life is just..unbelievable. I should say
The "real" doctor is played by charlotte milchard
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You dumbass they said they would change the names even "will tylers"
This particular story may be fiction - and excuse me for such a delay in response however I agree with an earlier comment. Abductions have been condistent throughout the years! UFO sightings and encounters of the fourth kind. Something that I would like to point out - be it the directors instructions and special effects - didnt some of the scenes resemble being possessed by a demon? Such as speaking in tongues and rising from the bed - broken bones the works. And a process of drinking iowaska mixed with DMT has shown some suprising results in the research , mainly that 70 different people from different ethnic and cultural and religious backgrounds in different states/countries all claimed to have been welcomed by a being and were told by this being that said being is happy that our race has finally found a way to communicate with them. That is surely a spiritual/religious connection that we share with sentient beings and can be abused by a malignant being and reflected as exorcism? Either way I cannot rule the theory behind this movie as false.. but back to the topic the marketing behind the movie sas rather brilliant - we all have theories about E.Ts and this movie was going to "prove us right" . At the end of the day we all want answers dont we?
My REVIEW: Hollywood and Science will say, and do anything to take the people's money to experiment on who? YOU. LOL What a HOAX!!!
The real abigail is played by Charlotte Milchard
I think it is wrong. look at religion, it claims to be real. no harm done there right? guys at work persistently claimed it was a true story. it definitely affected them.
Easiest way to prove the 'real' parts are all just part of the movie is to check imdb where if you look at the cast you'll see a list of the actors who played all the supposed 'real' characters along with their real life names. I don't think it's a con, I think it's clever that they managed to fool many of us, it's just a clever part of the script.
The real Abigail is played by the daughter of Paul Dano and Michael Shannon.
Wrong. It is Charlotte Milchard. I think by this point, years later, you've realized that.
This is no different than The Blair Witch Project and 'lost footage' tapes and is not, by any means, illegal. At the Sundance Film Festival the year the BWP was released, MISSING posters were posted everywhere of the 3 main actors of the film. It's not bait and switch or false advertising, it's called genius marketing and PR. If you're feeling duped and mislead, that's your own cross to bear. Don't watch movies if you're going to take things so personally.
No its not. It's Charlotte Milchard...
Blair Witch never said actual footage.
Blair Witch never said actual footage.
Maybe it was the purpose of the government and others covered it up so that the true nature of its scary nature is hidden to protect us from world wide panic. The part where a UFO shadow was seen by a police officer outside at night of the kidnap and the supposed voice of Akhenaten the Egyptian pharoah in Sumerian language is a clue to maybe we should investigate more to king Tut's tomb (son of Akhenaten) the clues are there and possibly the whereabouts of the kidnapees are as well....maybe.
Whatever happened to people watching movies simply for entertainment?
I guess I’m a bit late to this party being it’s 2018 and all but I have to vent!!!! I just finished watching this movie for the 3rd time and had sung its praises to my fiancé for the past 2 yrs, who is as big a skeptic as they get! How mortified do I now feel, as I again went to Google like I did years ago after first watching the film only now I see the search for “Dr Abigail Tyler” produces actual pics and interviews of the REAL ACTRESS who played her, Charlotte something or other from the UK!!!!!
I FEEL LIKE CRYING!!! I am a college degree holding intelligent person who was totally duped by this film and it’s story! Years back when I researched the details post view, I apparently was convinced by the vague at best online planted sites that were all just viral marketing and apparently not even at its best! I am a believer that in the least, other intelligent forms are out there, it’s too idiotic to believe otherwise but I feel very duped and extremely upset that these things go to the level they do (creating a hoax, making it so believable) when this is a concept that has enough truth to it to ever go to this extreme! I’m not sure if I’m wording this correctly so suffice it to say I AM VERY LET DOWN AND THINK THIS WAS VERY NOT COOL OF MILLA JOVOVICH!!
Again I’m rather late to the table but hopefully this blog is still visited as I too feel outraged and Milla Jovovich is the receipient of a lot of my outrage! I’ve always considered her to be one of the very select part of Hollyweird who hasn’t sold her soul for a career and now I’m looking at her through completely different perspective! To look into the camera and serious as a heart attack warn viewers about the disturbing parts etc SHAME ON HER
She is not the same she has only played one other part recently in 2018
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