Understanding the Advertising of 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' in the Context of Quentin Tarantino’s Filmography
Quentin Tarantino is a household name in the movie industry, known for his unique storytelling style and memorable dialogue. His filmography includes a rich array of critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies. From Reservoir Dogs to The Hateful Eight, and now, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino has established a legacy that spans over two decades. In this article, we explore why 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is advertised a specific way, and how it fits into Tarantino's broader filmography.
Quentin Tarantino’s Filmography
Quentin Tarantino has directed a total of nine feature films. This figure is based on his solo directorial efforts, rather than his collaboration as a writer or co-director. His filmography includes:
Reservoir Dogs (1992) Pulp Fiction (1994) Jackie Brown (1997) Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004) Inglourious Basterds (2009) Django Unchained (2012) The Hateful Eight (2015) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)While some of these films, such as Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2, are considered two parts of a single film, Tarantino himself views them as a single entity.
The Why Behind the Advertising
The advertising of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is not accidental. It reflects a specific approach to marketing and branding for Tarantino’s films. The strategy is designed to emphasize the unique and iconic nature of his work. By consistently advertising the film as one of his nine feature directorial efforts, Tarantino reinforces his status as a major figure in the film industry.
Why Kill Bill is Considered One Film
One common question is why Kill Bill is often advertised as a single film, despite being released in two parts. The origin of this confusion lies in the initial plan for the film, which was to be a 4-hour epic. However, the film’s runtime exceeded the studio’s expectations, making the single release impractical. As a result, Tarantino agreed to split the film into two parts, with the understanding that he could maintain creative control over the entire story. This decision was made to appease the studio while ensuring that the narrative remained seamless and coherent.
Tarantino’s perspective is clear: he considers Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2 to be one complete story. This view is supported by his continued branding of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as his ninth feature film.
The Numbers Game in Tarantino's Career
Beyond his directing, Tarantino has also written and produced numerous films. However, the criterion for his solo-director films is quite stringent, focusing on his personal vision and creative control. For example, Sin City was directed by Robert Rodriguez, despite Tarantino contributing significantly to the project. Similarly, Four Rooms had collective direction, and Tarantino’s role there is not considered when counting his solo-director films.
Lost Films and Personal Beliefs
Tarantino’s filmography is further complicated by the existence of a lost film called My Best Friend’s Birthday. This was his first directed film but never got released due to a studio fire that damaged half of the footage. Consequently, this film does not count towards his directorial tally.
These factors contribute to the specific advertising of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as Tarantino’s ninth feature film. It is a reflection of his unique approach to storytelling, his personal beliefs about his work, and the marketing strategies employed to promote his films.
Conclusion
Understanding why Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is advertised a specific way provides insight into Tarantino’s mindset as a filmmaker and how his work is perceived in the entertainment industry. By focusing on his solo-director films, the advertising emphasizes the consistent quality and contribution of his vision to American cinema.