For those who are months behind the marketing campaign and want to get in on it, this is for you guys. Call this a how-to guide to becoming a die-hard fanboy of the long-anticipated movie, The Dark Knight.
Websites to bookmark
The Dark Knight ARG Wiki – A wiki that is always updated on the latest happenings with the viral. Check this first. The news board on the right gives you info on the latest events that have occurred.
The Superherohype Forums – Sign up for an account here. For news on the movie, go to The Dark Knight (Spoilers). For news on the viral, go to Viral Marketing.
- Popular Threads – Official Thread for Dark Knight Fanart/Manips, The Dark Knight Merchandise, Official Trailer #3 Discussion, The Dark Knight Anime Tie-In DVD (Gotham Knight), Batman’s Competition in 2008
- Battousi Lounges – threads where you can talk about anything you choose.
Batman: The Dark Knight – Movie Chronicles – This site is not as frequently updated, but if you want the latest pictures on the movie or the viral, it’s a great resource.
Batman On Film – This site is mainly for general Batman-related news and updates on the The Dark Knight. Although it roughly follows the campaign, it’s still highly popular amongst the fan community. You’ll eventually get to know Jett, the primary owner of the site.
Terms you need to know
ARG = Alternate Reality Game
TEOL = Tee-Hee + LOL
Perma-White = the ongoing debate on whether the Joker’s skin will be permanently bleached white or simply covered in make-up
INWT = In Nolan We Trust (as in Chris Nolan, director of Batman Begins)
TDK = The Dark Knight ; BB = Batman Begins ; B89 = Batman, 1989 ; Returns = Batman Returns ; Forever = Batman Forever ; B&R = Batman & Robin
The Nolan Brothers = Christopher Nolan (director, BB and TDK) and Jonah Nolan (writer, TDK)
TLH – The Long Halloween, one of the greatest Batman comic book series ever written and which Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are loosely based on.
Rickroll = When someone posts a link to a movie trailer, which turns out to be the Rick Astley music video for “Never Gonna Give You Up”. Ex. “Haha, you’ve been rickrolled!”
Viral Marketing Summary
Joker Events
- San Diego Comic-Con, Summer, 2007 – www.whysoserious.com campaign, puzzle games leading to release of teaser trailer
- October, 2007-December, 2007 – melting pumpkin animation leading to Scavenger Hunt #1
- Scavenger Hunt #1: photographs of alphabetical letters taken across US, letters spelling out “The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules” leading to new Joker pic, next step to take photographs in Joker makeup next to monuments, submitted to www.rorysdeathkiss.com, participants receive Volume 1 of The Gotham Times, Volume 1 of The HAHAHA Times released
- Scavenger Hunt #2: viral sites w/ map sections released, driving routes spell out “step right up” leading to new site, cakes w/ cell phones planted across US, teaser poster released, tickets available for IMAX screening of 6-minute prologue, Full Trailer #1 released
- March-April, 2008 – cell phones giving alphabetical letters out, spelling “clown travel agency“, new site found for Scavenger Hunt #3
- Scavenger Hunt #3: bowling balls w/ Joker cards and cellphones planted across US and other countries, new site given: www.acmesecuritysystems.com/delos, input phone #, receive call from someone claiming to be “Lieutenant Gordon”, turns out to be ambush by Gotham Police Department
Harvey Dent Events
- February, 2008 – Present, 2008 – www.ibelieveinharveydent.com site launched
- Political Campaign – Harvey “Dentmobiles” travel across US, posters and stickers distributed, pictures of Harvey Dent supporters taken, participants receive more campaign materials, Volume 2 of The Gotham Times, and voter registration Cards, Volume 2 of The HAHAHA Times released, participants then receive half-burned Harvey Dent button
- “Rachel Dawes Supports Harvey Dent” video released
- Harvey Dent Press Conference, Live Satellite Feed – Dent saves female hostage from corrupt cop, Frank Notaro
Gotham Police Events
- Log into www.gothampolice.com/secureinternaldocuments
- Username: BarhyteGlenn ; Password: tevredenheid
- Search for these documents: LC6551, IA8214299, IA6142137, IA176495U, IA8234971, IA8376121, IA8388555 (If you’re curious how they were found – http://batman.wikibruce.com/Gothampolice.com/secureinternaldocuments)
- Phone numbers to know:
- Joseph Candoloro, family lawyer: 1 866 626 8049 ; Enter PIN #: 1149
- Rossi, owner of Rossi’s Delicatessen: 1 866 580 3840 ; Enter PIN #: 9482
- Frank Notaro, Gotham police officer: 1 866 608 3515 ; Enter PIN #: 32976
- Voicemails are updated frequently.
If you read all of that, you’re mostly caught up. There are currently a total of 33 viral marketing websites and counting, but I have already gone over the more important ones. Good luck and have fun with it:)
