Designer QR Codes used to promote Indie-Rock Documentary

Shaker Films jumps on the mobile bandwagon
Designer QR Codes used to promote Indie-Rock Documentary
by Beth Silverstein

August 4th, 2011 - Los Angeles, CA -- Indie-Rock documentary "Bob and the Monster" played to enthusiastic crowds earlier this year at SXSW in Austin Texas. It was one of the highlights of the event, especially for fans of LA's music scene in the 1980's. Interestingly, QR Codes were also widely embraced by attendees at SXSW this year. So, it comes as no surprise that Shaker Films would make use of QR Codes to promote "Bob and the Monster" in cities where it is scheduled to screen.

Filmmaker Keirda Bahruth spent six years creating this engaging documentary chronicling the rise and fall of Bob Forrest - front man for L.A. band, Thelonious Monster. Rock legends including Anthony Kiedis, John Frusciante, and Courtney Love give valuable insight into a story about Bob Forrest's drug addiction and the promising career it destroyed. It's a story we have heard all to often but, this film ends with a recovered Bob Forrest helping addicts overcome the same obstacles he once faced.

Santa Monica based creative agency Warbasse Design developed the digital one-sheet that leaves a lasting impression. "Designer QR Codes allow give consumers something to remember. In a sea of symbols that all look the same, it's a natural tendency to try and stand out. The trick is staying functional," said Philip Warbasse - Warbasse Design. The Designer QR Code is prominently placed on the poster, sparking a number of positive articles and blog entries regarding best practises for QR Code implementation (ie http://randymatheson.com/bob-and-the-monster-and-a-nice-use-of-qr-code/).

When scanned, the code takes the user to a mobile site featuring a synopsis, the trailer to the movie, the ability to order tickets and share with friends via Facebook and Twitter all from their handheld device.

"I noticed QR codes for the first time at SXSW this year and was intrigued by the concept, but didn't fully understand it's use or value. Mobile media is obviously taking over our culture and quickly becoming the conduit for how we interact with audiences but it wasn't until I started working with Philip that I began to comprehend how exciting and how immediate this interaction can be. It's one thing to scan a code that goes to a website that is hard to navigate around, but Warbasse Design created a mobile site for us that made it so easy for people to find out the facts instantly in a mobile friendly environment. This has given the public the ability to find a screening and buy tickets while standing at a train station where they have scanned the code in a matter of minutes. It's very exciting and I would venture to say that Warbasse played a hand in helping us sell out both of our Los Angeles screening by creating a bold QR movie poster for the public to interact with. It's eye catching and easy to understand which is something I wasn't seeing back when they first arrived on the scene. The Bob and The Monster QR movie poster is bad ass! It helps to invite people into the future with this new technology by giving you the tools to succeed without feeling like an absolute Luddite! Then again maybe that's just me, it took me a month to figure out Tivo," said Keirda Bahruth Director / Producer "Bob and the Monster".

"Bob and the Monster" will be screening on the following dates in August and September:
08/08/11 Bob and the Monster in Great Neck, NY
09/25/11 Bob and the Monster in Philadelphia, PA
09/30/11 Bob and the Monster in Kansas City, MO

About the Movie
Six years in the making, this documentary film follows outspoken indie-rock hero Bob Forrest, through his life-threatening struggle with addiction, to his transformation into one of the most influential and controversial drug counsellors in the US today. "Bob and the Monster" crafts contemporary footage, animation and compelling interviews with archival performances and personal videos from Bob's past to reveal the complex layers of this troubled, but hopeful soul. Testimony from his peers, including Courtney Love, Anthony Kiedis and Flea add texture, but it's the depth of Bob's music, interwoven throughout the film, that illuminates this unforgettable and inspirational story.

About Warbasse Design
Since inception, the goal has remained unchanged - to help clients become better known and better understood. Warbasse design is known for its research methods as much as its award-winning design and it has a track record of providing clients internet technology that is consistently ahead of its time. Warbasse Design began streaming audio in 1997, was creating "web 2.0" strategies by 2003 and sold a minority interest in its Pc-to-phone company ClickCall(TM) in 2005, long before the acronym VOIP was commonplace. Located in 5 U.S. markets and representing one of the largest networks of designers and developers in the United States, Warbasse Design is growing at the speed of the internet.

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