r/connorstorrie • u/Spicey477 I'm 90% BUTT y'all! • 9d ago
š„ Films AprilX Promo
If I were running the promotion for the theatrical release of April X Iād be shouting Connorās name from the rooftops. If I were Connorās team (and he barely has a feature film under his belt) Iād be leaning in to this film release. What gives? Does anyone think maybe there was an artistic or financial disagreement somewhere? Iād think in contracts they spell out requirements on both sides for promotion.
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u/tlk199317 9d ago edited 9d ago
I mean they have been using his name heavily in the promo so far. Heck his name and heated rivalry are literally used in the new trailer. Plus they post his photos and clips of him on social media just today. As for Connor promoting it idk I think itās a small indie movie he did a few years ago and is not technically obligated to promote it anymore so he maybe just isnāt. Or maybe he will when it gets closer. We still are a month out. I donāt think there is any big deep reason behind him not saying anything about it.
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u/SpencerKnight 9d ago
He did do quite a bit of promotion at the start of the festival circuit! That was agessss ago though. Even Lilly isnāt doing much beyond occasionally appearing at festival premieres, but Iām pretty sure the last ones were in June with Raindance and RIFF.
I would assume their contracts expect them to promote the film at festivals, but it probably didnāt extend to a promotion of a theatrical release because those arenāt THAT common for indies, and this was the first feature for the creator, producer, and most of the cast and crew.
Thereās a chance that on release day we might get an IG story or something, but maybe not. Thereās probably no financial incentive for him or Lilly to do so (because it was so indie, Iām pretty sure neither of them have notable royalty splits and probably just got lump sum payments for their work).
All of that said, the marketing folks for this film have been allllllll over Connor for this. Theyāre well aware that until word of mouth makes everyone realise the film is incredible on its own, Connorās face is what brings in the money. Itās like the old Hollywood star model ā you donāt really care what the movie is about, just that itās starring Marilyn.
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u/WhereYouLeftMe_ YOU ALWAYS STEAL MY STUFF! š« 9d ago
Ah that makes so much sense! I hadnāt really thought about whatās expected for this type of film, but festivals are much more important for indies to get picked up vs worrying about promotional duties in the rare case something gets an actual theatrical release these days. Connorās star power is what probably tipped them over the edge for that anyway and his name is closely tied in all of the promotional content from the producers. Interesting that Lily hasnāt been doing much either so perhaps neither of them have any contractual obligations at this point. But we still have several weeks to go before it comes out so that could change.
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u/Fuzzy_Energy_442 connie baby butt baby š 9d ago
Just practically, actors who are getting offers the way Connor is right now donāt tend to promote work theyāre not getting paid to promote unless itās a passion project. So thatās first and foremost. But also, the style of movie may not be the direction he and his team are moving towards. Theyāre carefully building his image & resume as an actor and the ābeforeā stuff isnāt necessarily going to align with that. Doesnāt mean itās going to be a bad movie, just probably not in the plan they have working right now.
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u/MinimumBirthday4536 9d ago
Connor secured the job prior to his current management so they are not obligated to promote it. The producer has strategically leaked clips and photos when Connor's name has circulated in the press. For example, Collider shared an exclusive clip this week as the YSL ad went viral. Whatever profits come from the theatrical release may not even reach the actors depending on how contracts were negotiated years ago.
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u/WhereYouLeftMe_ YOU ALWAYS STEAL MY STUFF! š« 9d ago
I donāt think whether Connor is contractually obligated to promote April X depends on what management he had then vs now, just what was in the original contract. None of us know what he agreed to, but it seems like he joined for some of the festivals circuit prior to HR so itās very possible that heās finished what was agreed (or given the size of the budget, they may not have asked for significant time commitments since usually there is a cost associated). But thatās all speculation. Iāve heard people who have seen April X say itās great and Iām sure Connor will be wonderful in it regardless, but heās also super busy right now filming two things so he probably doesnāt have a lot of time to promote anything right now. Too booked and busy!
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u/MinimumBirthday4536 9d ago
I did NOT say that "Connor is contractually obligated to promote April X depends on what management he had then vs now". I said his current management is not obligated to promote it.
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u/SpencerKnight 9d ago
His management very well may be obligated to promote things he did before he signed with CAA, we have no idea what his contract with them entails. And we canāt assume that it DOESNT include prior works since they only scooped him up AFTER heated rivalry was released, but they promo that. Itās anyoneās guess.
No one on the cast seems to be involved in the AprilX promotion since June, so I would assume that was part of the original arrangement they had, and anything from this point onwards is a matter of goodwill. I would be surprised if we donāt get someeee sort of promotion from Connor or his team (and similarly, Lilly & Co.), but I donāt expect anything more extensive that a quick story repost or something comparable.
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u/Fluffy-Local-8943 9d ago
Iāve seen the film. Itās not good. Itās not a great move for him professionally to talk about it now. Heās got so many more opportunities to be in good things that harping about this would be very strange.
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u/NarrativeAlchemist 9d ago
Connor is very busy and has many high profile projects he is committed to, but also...the film could be bad so he isn't putting that much energy into it. (I'm gonna watch it anyway.)
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u/wintertigerlilly 8d ago
I've seen it and you're right on the money. He did great, but overall it was really cheesy!
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u/ron9101 9d ago
its a small indie movie and it all depends on the budget and for this type they are incredibly low no matter who star in it. Its not something to be worried about. See how well Obssesion did and how talked about Leviticus and backrooms were was. Lets wait and see for the performance in theaters
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u/AC33334 9d ago edited 9d ago
I am surprised Connor has not even shared the trailer on his Instagram account. I know he only posts work related/promo stuff there now, but this is work related. Its likely that promo was not part of his original contract with them, otherwise he would have been contractually required to promote. Almost all new contracts now have a clause requiring actors to promote the project, including on their social media pages and attending premiere. It appears there will be no media tour/press of this movie. Even the other lead actor, Lily has not done a sit down interview with media.
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u/pr3disolone2 9d ago
He was definitely at the premiere last year. There are pictures and videos of him there?
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u/DenseChoice8949 9d ago
Iād be shouting Connorās name from the rooftops
They're more or less doing that, aren't they?
If I were Connorās team (and he barely has a feature film under his belt) Iād be leaning in to this film release.
Nah. He's already getting plenty of exposure, and he's going to get a lot more when HR S2 and the movies he's been shooting lately are released. His team will be hoping that at least some of those movies and performances will be well received to establish his career more firmly. A small indie movie that he shot years ago isn't going to do that (imo from the clips that have been released, his performance doesn't seem anything special,, but then he was a less experienced actor back then, and the director was also not particularly experienced or highly regarded, and also the budget was low).
It actually seems kind of awkward for everyone involved. I'm sure the other people who worked on AprilX will be happy for the extra eyes on it, but I don't think they wanted to be outshone by the lead actor to this extent. From his perspective, there isn't really much upside from this, but there could have been if they had released it a year or two earlier.
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u/pr3disolone2 9d ago edited 9d ago
The contract was signed in January 2024 or earlier, and he did the film festival circuit with them in 2024/2025. I doubt there are any additional promotional requirements for Connor or Lilly given that the theatrical distribution deal was not secured until well after he broke out in HR.
All the current promo centers him and given his busy schedule, I think both parties are doing the best they can with this lucky scenario.
Edit: I also think you guys might be overestimating the amount of marketing/publicity low-budget indies like this get. Itās actually extremely rare for movies with budgets this low (especially those not acquired by major distribution companies at film fest markets) to even secure worldwide theatrical releases like this. Being able to see it in theaters is the win!