MovieChat Forums > A Dog's Breakfast (2007) Discussion > Squirrel Phenomenon

Squirrel Phenomenon

posted 16 years ago by barcardicider-1
12 replies | jump to latest

Although A Dog's Breakfast may be seen as the movie with all the Stargate actors in it and yes it did rely on the vast Stargate audience to help boast sales. But due to David Hewlett's internet savvy he has produced a hardcore fan base, that have been quite rabid in their determination to get this film out there.

As with all movies, this didn't appeal to everyone and others will not have the open mindness to separate the Stargate characters from the film characters, but it does have a unique quirkness about it that translate well both sides of the Atlantic.

But the marketing of this film has produced an incredible phenomenon. Known as Squirrel Marketing, it has encourged and allowed fans of the film and of the stars to help promote this film, which has lead to a pride in the films success.

From simply turning up at screenings, to making trailers posted on YouTube. To creating T-shirt designs and posting all over the web, the squirrel marketing phenomenon marches forward.

Granted David Hewlett is a well known actor in a well know spin-off of an award winning ten-year running series - in North America.

He and Stargate are not so well known in other parts of the world. Generally as it it picked up by cable and satellite companies, which, particularly in the UK, have only a small percentage of the total viewing figure. Yet Squirrel Marketing encompass not just the Americans and the Canadaians, but the Brits, French and Germans and many other countries from around the world.

Is this the way all indie filmmakers should go? Use such internet sites like YouTube, film boards and blogs or will the vast majority of the public miss out on little indie gems unless they spot them on the shelf at the DVD Rental Store?

And yes, I freely admit to being one of Hewlett's "Squirrels"

[–] green_575 16 years ago

And yet that isn't the end of Squirrel Marketing. Squirrels have prided themselves for three years on being some of the most headstrong leaders in the volunteer promotion of great actors movies business. (It's a growing business, I assure you.)

Separate from promoting projects by David Hewlett they also boast a bounty of money collected for David's cause, Doctor's Without Borders. True, the Squirrels may be a little "acorns" but truly know what causes are worth their time and effort. And they make great party friends, as well.

A Dog's Breakfast will be appealing to many who watch it, even those not familiar with the Stargate phenomena. Don't expect severely deep and entrenching story lines. Don't expect in depth character interaction. In fact, I recommend not expecting anything as you watch this movie. And I guarantee your reaction will be "Okay...that was silly." and then, "Lemme see that one more time?"

And remember, always keep your eye on the duck.

Great movie buffs know
Cult classics are rarely good
But some are just great.

[–] Psycho_WarBaby 16 years ago

I wouldn't sell Stargate as short as you across the world. Actually I think Stargate is one of the more suscessful Sci-Fis world-wide! I think it's actually one of the most celebrated and/or known sci-fis picked up in more countries! The fans are fiercely loyal and even if people don't regularly love/watch it, they certainly KNOW about it! I have a few Stargate books and the DVDs sitting on my bookshelf and not one person has failed to asked me "are you a fan of stargate!" and I've lived in a college before where there are people from heaps of different countries too!

But Anyhoo.. go squirrels!

[–] tamsherrill 16 years ago

nothing can stop a squirrell

[–] loveistheonlyway 16 years ago

WOOHOO woot woot yeah GOOOOO SQUIRRELS!!!!

While I hopped on the Stargate wagon a little too late to be a part of A Dog's Breakfast's Squirrel Marketing team, I do very much hope to be a part of the promotion of the next big DH production!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway." Atticus

[–] NyssaSky 16 years ago

Hi loveistheonlyway! What a great name, & so true. It's definitely not too late to join the ADB Squirrel Market team. ADB just got released in several countries oversea (overseas from the US that is). Talented people are still working on ways to promote it. David's offical site is down at the moment for some upgrades but when it comes back up feel free to contact him if you have some ideas:)

[–] loveistheonlyway 16 years ago

Thanks NyssaSky =)
I shall indeed join the Squirrel Marketing team, then!!!
Yeah, I came over here because David's site was down... as per his suggestion in his blog =)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway." Atticus

[–] Kdvb1 16 years ago

I started watching Stargate Atlantis and I was hooked! In googling things Stargatey on the net I found David Hewlett's site: www.dGeek.com and the rest is history...for me at least! *wink*

I joined, became a squirrel and met the natives which was a wonderful experience. I have never met a more generous, helpful, fun-loving and genuinely nice group of people than the squirrels! So, we help David out with PR stuff, we raise money for his favorite charity Doctors without borders and generally run around acting like the chatty squirrels we are.

We'll be there for you David! (Like the Friends song!) And, for each other!

[–] wolfenm 16 years ago

Aye, and I love how we squirrels have banned together, finding other avenues to keep in touch, raise money for DWB, and help David, even while his official message board is down! GO SQUIRRELS!! :D

[–] amy-4259 16 years ago

Yes, I am proud (VERY) to be a "squirrel". Though I am more of a "silent sqirrel" doesn't mean I don't care as much as the next one. I just don't post the often.

David is just such a likely person and all his work is great! And all the other "squirrels" here are well AMAZING! (sorry David I just had to use THAT word).

Delka/Amy

[–] emerald01 16 years ago

Wouldn't you like to be a Squirrel, too?
Be a Squirrel.
Love David Hewlett...

:D

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] whovian99 16 years ago

Well said, barcardicider!

As one of Hewlett's squirrels, I must say, I'm very rabid! :D AND.... that reminds me YET AGAIN, that I need to go buy yet ANOTHER copy of A Dog's Breakfast to give to my sister.

SQUIRRELS RULE!

---whovian