An Anemic Carol: The Telemarketing

We reported Monday how David Zucker’s rightwing “comedy” An American Carol was a total flop and yesterday Wonkette noted how the filmmakers, in a move that was funnier than anything in the film, were screaming “fraud!” (and then, apparently, withdrawing the claim by pulling down the accusatory web page). Well, events surrounding the film just got even funnier.  Look what turned up on Sacramento’s Craigslist last night:

Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Do you enjoy watching movies? Well this is the job for you! Our film marketing firm has been hired to promote the recently released film, An American Carol, and we need energetic, motivated callers to promote the movie in the 23 western United States. And we’re hiring immediately! This slapstick comedy is already in theaters and the buzz about it is already underway. Interviews will begin tomorrow. I’ll likely be giving you a call tonight. If you were born with the gift of gab and are interested, email me at caroler2008@live.com and leave both your name and phone number. If you want to check out the movie first, you can find the website at americancarolers.com.

That right there is some desperate shit. Can anyone who works in the film industry or public relations let me know if this common practice, especially several days after a film’s opening? I worked with a lot of indie film companies when I first moved to New York and they never employed telemarketing for promotion and I’m 100% certain I’ve never been prodded to see a movie via the phone. Weird. [hat tip to Jim B.]

Posted by Kevin K. on 10/08/08 at 04:16 PM • Permalink

What’s the pitch going to be ,"Yeah , this movie sucks , but it’s your duty as a faux patriotic half-wit to spend your Cheetos money for the enrichment of no talent douchebags like David Zucker”. ?

Personally , I’ve always found Zucker’s movies to be the epitome of suck.

I so feel like emailing to get the gig but then I’m an “exotic foreigner”.  What to do?

Who the hell advertises their movies on Craig’s List????  You’d at least think they’d go Ebay seeing as McCain likes Meg so much.