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Marketing of 'Narnia' Presents Challenge
NYT ^ | oct 12, 05 | JEFF LEEDS

Posted on 10/14/2005 6:40:47 AM PDT by paudio

The spiritual character of "Narnia" is being reinforced with the debut on the charts last week of a Christian pop album of music inspired by the film. But prospects for a previously announced secular soundtrack now seem cloudy, executives involved in the process say. Disney executives say that at the very least the CD will be delayed beyond its planned Oct. 25 release.

Mitchell Leib, president of music for Disney's Buena Vista film unit, said he still expected to assemble and release a secular soundtrack before the film's Dec. 9 opening. But he cited production snags. He said he was still awaiting a recording by the rock band Evanescence that is intended as the film's closing song. He added that planning had also been complicated by last-minute decisions about how music will be used in the complex, special-effects-laden film.

The Christian-oriented album's status as the only "Narnia" musical project in the marketplace, for now at least, could upset the studio's plan to balance two audiences. "If they go ahead and release only the one soundtrack, I think they're risking being identified as turning toward a blatantly religious company, which does turn some people away," said Chris Ahrens, founding editor of Risen, a San Diego-based lifestyle magazine that explores the spiritual beliefs of entertainment figures. On the other hand, Mr. Ahrens said, if the music strikes a chord in the Christian market, "I think that's huge for Disney in terms of the movie audience." He added, "It seems like a huge gamble."

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christianmedia; christophobia; cslewis; disney; music; narnia; soundtrack
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To: Dumb_Ox
I don't see rock music complementing the fantastical spirit of Narnia. It'd be like playing bagpipes in the credits of a Zorro movie. That Enya track at the end of the LOTR movies didn't seem to work for me, either.

Ditto.

41 posted on 10/14/2005 8:45:10 AM PDT by Maeve
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To: Maeve
I liked "May It Be"; however, if the performance style didn't work for you, check out the remix on the "Celtic Woman" CD, from an independent record label in the actual country of Ireland.

Also, I'm sure the producers -- remember, this is Walden Media in charge, not Disney -- will tell this "Evanescence," whoever the devil they are, to keep it quiet. If there's one single drumbeat, true friends of Narnia will revolt, wail and gnash their teeth, myself included.

Dr. Ransom
FaithFusion.net
Independent-sighted, yet Right-minded

42 posted on 10/14/2005 8:54:38 AM PDT by DoctorRansom ("Alert and in first-class fighting trim")
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To: All
If anyone wants onto my colleague DaveLoneRanger's Narnia: AWAKE ping list, just FReep-mail me.

Dr. Ransom
FaithFusion.net
Independent-sighted, yet Right-minded

43 posted on 10/14/2005 8:55:59 AM PDT by DoctorRansom ("Alert and in first-class fighting trim")
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To: paudio; All
Music inspired by Narnia has been around for a long time. Check out the group "Second Chapter of Acts" website. I have an old cassette tape of the album and love it.
44 posted on 10/14/2005 9:02:01 AM PDT by Godzilla (Peace through superior firepower.)
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To: dead

"That’s like creating a magazine that explores the great orchestral masterpieces composed by butterscotch pudding."

Maybe that is what those spots on the Beethoven manuscript were...butterscotch pudding.


45 posted on 10/14/2005 9:09:13 AM PDT by Sensei Ern (Now, IB4Z! I would rather visit Rwanda on a bad day than France on a good day.)
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To: kayak

Thanks, kay.


46 posted on 10/14/2005 9:30:57 AM PDT by lysie
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To: goldstategop

And no doubt, he had a red neck, wore sheets, burned crosses, and beat his wife! / sarcasm


47 posted on 10/14/2005 10:18:42 AM PDT by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Take Back The GOP!)
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To: paudio

Nobody can top Second Chapter of Acts' Narnia concept album from the early '80s. Beautiful music and wonderful vocals by the trio.


48 posted on 10/14/2005 10:25:40 AM PDT by rabidralph
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To: paudio

OOOOORRRRRRRRRRR they could just do ONE cohesive marketing of a quality product that will demonstrates this is an entertainment product for all.

Seems the only reason to bifurcate this is if it is a bad movie.

Either that or the suits have no idea what they potentially have in their hands. (see passion of the christ)


49 posted on 10/14/2005 2:57:03 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: paudio

Yeah - Mel Gibson's marketing to religious folks sure backfired on him - He only grosse over $600 MILLION....


50 posted on 10/14/2005 6:03:22 PM PDT by TheBattman (Islam (and liberalism)- the cult of Satan)
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To: Grig

The CD is only called a "soundtrack" by this article and some retailers. The actual CD doesn't make a claim that it is a soundtrack - just that it is songs inspired by the movie.


51 posted on 10/14/2005 6:04:54 PM PDT by TheBattman (Islam (and liberalism)- the cult of Satan)
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To: TheBattman

I've often seen CD's marketed as a soundtrack for a movie. Case in point:
This cd is listed as a soundtrack
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005K9KF/ref=pd_bbs_null_3/104-8262482-2240755?v=glance&s=music
even thought the only song on it from the movie is song that plays durring the credits.

The soundtrack is really this cd
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005LNIY/ref=pd_sim_music_1/104-8262482-2240755?v=glance&s=music

Your local music store probably only had the first one in stock.


52 posted on 10/15/2005 7:23:14 PM PDT by Grig
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To: Grig

Another such case is the first Michael Keeton "Batman". There was the actual soundtrack (with music by Danny Elfman), then there was the Prince "Soundtrack". Many people got taken by that one - I mail-ordered that one when it came out - oops.

At least the Narnia disc in question actually labels itself as "songs inspired by".


53 posted on 10/16/2005 5:35:41 AM PDT by TheBattman (Islam (and liberalism)- the cult of Satan)
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