(Burbank, CA & Minneapolis--March 27, 2008) Met|Hodder, the premiere producers of promotional content for television, has just completed two ½-hour specials and a popular viral web clip promoting the launch of SCI FI CHANNEL's fourth original season of "Battlestar Galactica."
To check out the promo campaign, go to:
http://www.methodder.com/battlestar
The first ½-hour special, entitled "Battlestar Galactica: Revealed," catches up first-time viewers and leaves new and returning audiences ready for more. The second ½-hour special, "Battlestar Galactica: The Phenomenon," features celebrity fans talking about their passion for the critically acclaimed original series. Celebrity appearances include: Joss Whedon (creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Seth Green (actor & co-creator of "Robot Chicken"), country music star Brad Paisley, Jesse L. Martin and S. Epatha Merkerson ("Law & Order") and Joel McHale (host of E's "The Soup").
The two ½-hour specials premiere tonight on SCI FI, and will also be broadcast on Chiller, Bravo, USA Network, and Universal 3D over the coming weeks.
The third component to this successful promotional package from Met|Hodder is an 8-minute web clip entitled "What the Frak Is Going On With BSG?" launched online in early March, the piece recaps the entire 3 seasons of "Battlestar Galactica" with rapid-fire narration and snarky wit.
"We were astonished at the magnitude of information Met|Hodder was able to fit into an 8-minute clip," says Erik Storey, Vice President, Original Programming at SCI FI. "Not only is it an effective learning tool, bringing both new and returning viewers up to speed on the series, it also has great humor and is fun to watch."
"For the ½-hour specials," continues Storey, "we wanted to do something different, which was more about the appeal of the show and less about the plotline. Met|Hodder presented us with these great ideas: one special that is about the show's characters and their relationships; and the other which investigates the footprint the show leaves on pop culture according to these celebrity fans. The team at Met|Hodder not only offer great creative solutions, but they are incredibly tenacious in their execution, and they provide some of the best 1st cuts I have ever seen."
This project offered Met|Hodder the second chance to collaborate with SCI FI Channel, having created a recap special in 2006 called "Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far." The company also brought a wealth of experience to the project, having produced multiple recap specials for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" for ABC and "The 4400" on USA Network, as well as recap specials for ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty."
Creative Director Steve Mulholland notes that Met|Hodder has always wanted to tap celebrity fans for a series special. "Battlestar Galactica is the perfect series to celebrate in a special like "Phenomenon" because the show is admired by so many notable people in the entertainment industry."
For Producer Mary O'Brien, "Revealed" gave her the opportunity to interview show creators Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. "I felt like the luckiest Battlestar fan in the world! We covered all the bases so that new viewers can easily step into this complex show, but there are plenty of insider nuggets for seasoned fans."
With the web clip, O'Brien says it was important to tread carefully. "This show has such a passionate following. Our challenge was to create a piece that was faithful to the complex storyline, while injecting a brand of humor that would appeal to die-hard fans."
O'Brien, who also provided the voiceover for "What the Frak", is thrilled at the buzz the clip has generated. "We were amazed by how quickly it circulated. Viewers are really getting a kick out of it!"
Credits:
Client: SCI FI Channel
Produced by: Met|Hodder
Executive Producers Kent Hodder, Nancy Bordson
Creative Director: Steve Mulholland
Producer: Mary O'Brien
Executive in Charge of Production: Tim Herbstrith
Production Manager: Chad Alber
Editors: Malyssa Woodward, Dave Keffer
Postproduction Audio: Rich Cook
Graphics: Lee Burg
Music: Richard Gibbs, Bear McCreary
About Met|Hodder:
A creative branding, marketing and production company with offices in Burbank and Minneapolis, Met|Hodder can best be described as merchants of promotion.
The team, under the guidance of co-founders Kent Hodder and Nancy Bordson, partners with a variety of national television networks, including network broadcasters, cable net and satellite, and private video network owners, including consumer retail and corporate, to conceptualize and to create strategic and entertaining promotional content. Met|Hodder utilizes a well-honed, empathic approach that leverages powerful content through engaging media to produce meaningful results for clients.
http://www.methodder.tv
Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity's last remnants and their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica's intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered it numerous awards, including an Emmy and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running. The series is from Universal Media Studios and is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast is led by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.
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