San Diego Comic-Con has struggled with the “Hall H” problem for years. Everyone wants to see the biggest reveals for the upcoming superhero films, but not everyone can get inside. Or is willing to sleep on the unforgiving concrete for a chance to see their favorite stars up close. Or can even get SDCC tickets from the Comic-Con lottery gods. For a long time, being in Hall H was a badge of honor and a gritty war story about the tribulations gone through to survive until your panel of choice was on stage.
This year, Comic-Con is trying to change that. Some panels will be shown online shortly after their live presentations. It”s a baby step forward, but after the MASSIVE SUCCESS of Star Wars Celebration live-streaming the Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel and trailer in 2015, it feels like SDCC is lagging behind. But not as far behind as 20th Century Fox.
As reported by The Wrap, 20th Century Fox is completely pulling out of their Hall H presentations this year. Their reasoning?
The studio feels it cannot prevent the piracy of custom trailers and exclusive footage routinely screened for fans in attendance, an individual familiar with the decision told TheWrap.
There”s that word, “exclusive.” The fear that more eyeballs on a piece of marketing somehow devalues it. If Star Wars Celebration proves anything, it”s that more people watching footage, trailers, and interviews from the comfort of their computer chair doesn”t tarnish their value. People will still line-up around the block to be there in person. But not everyone can be. The easiest way to prevent piracy of “custom trailers” is to join the 21st century and do simultaneous releases online. Hire a social media savvy person to coordinate on the ground with Hall H handlers, and put the footage up on YouTube. Boom! Problem solved.
The main reason bootleg copies show up is because fans are ravenous to see any tidbit of their favorite properties. People wanting more of your product is the best problem to have. Not a reason to take your ball and go home.