Jim's Book & Audiobook available at UPM:

https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/O/Opening-Weekend

And Amazon:

https://a.co/d/7icO1rO

In this video I interview Jim Fredrick, a seasoned veteran of the film industry and former Senior Vice President of Creative Advertising at Warner Bros. With over 35 years in the business, Jim has crafted compelling trailers and unforgettable advertising campaigns for a diverse range of films, from timeless classics like The Shawshank Redemption to one of the most globally cherished franchises of all time—(and one you might have heard of) Harry Potter.

In our conversation, we explore Jim’s journey—from his entry into professional filmmaking to the pivotal moments and mentors that helped shape his career. We also dive into what he calls “The Assignment of a Lifetime”—his role in shaping the magic behind the Harry Potter franchise’s advertising strategy, as well as his opinion of Harry Potter in the modern era.

This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he collaborated with directors, producers, and creative teams to bring the Wizarding World to life for audiences across the globe. 

Jim discusses things like the process of creating the first teaser trailers that introduced Harry, Hermione, and Ron to the world, selecting the perfect images for posters, choosing just the right John Williams score to set the tone, and how every detail was meticulously curated to build excitement and anticipation for each film.

We also discuss his new book, Opening Weekend: An Insider's Look at Marketing Hollywood's Hits and Flops, where he provides an in-depth account of his 35-year journey through the world of movie marketing. In the book, Jim offers readers exclusive behind-the-scenes anecdotes and firsthand accounts of working with studio executives, as well as navigating relationships with famous movie stars and directors.

Before we get into it please note that this interview was not conducted live. I pre-recorded the questions and sent them over to Jim in advance.

Without further ado, I present to you Jim Fredrick.

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