Marketing[]
Jenkins and VidAngel initially focused on social media to promote their idea for the show by releasing the short film The Shepherd on Facebook. After the first season of the show was released, they began to utilize their pay-it-forward model to assist with promotion. In addition, Jenkins has built a large following of fans by regularly hosting livestream events and "viewing parties." The production company employs a dedicated social media staff as well as a dedicated video team for "behind-the-scenes" coverage that is used in social media promotion. According to Jenkins, their success is based on direct communication with viewers.
Promotional trailers are also developed to appeal to specific denominations.
In 2022, as part of the producers' Easter marketing campaign, 48 of the 70 billboards for the show nationwide were changed to appear as though they had been defaced or vandalized with phrases like "The Chosen is boring" and "Chosensux.com". The URL directed users to a website called "The Chosen Is Not Good", which depicted Satan as a character trying to get people not to watch the show. As a result of the campaign, many fans of the show were concerned that the defacement was real and, in April, Dallas Jenkins issued an apology to fans for having not mentioned anything about the campaign.[1]
Merchandising[]
To complement its crowd-sourced fundraising model, The Chosen generates revenue through merchandise sales including T-shirts, hats, books, and DVDs. In addition to offering general merchandise, The Chosen has partnered with Christian publishers such as David C. Cook and Broadstreet Publishing to produce companion study guides, devotionals, and Bible study materials.[2][3] The show is also being adapted into a series of graphic novels by Corvus Comics.[4]
Soundtracks for seasons 1, 2 and 3 have been released. Songwriter Dan Haseltine believes there will be additional projects by other artists influenced and inspired by the series.
Companion Bible Study Materials[]
To complement the show's content, Dallas Jenkins, his wife Amanda, and Douglas Huffman have released companion Bible studies that follow the show.[5] Huffman, a professor of New Testament at Biola University, also serves as a consultant to the show. The first study, from David C. Cook publishers, was released January 21, 2021.[5] In addition to a book, the study includes digital resources, video clips, teacher guides, and promotional materials.[5]
Books[]
Dallas Jenkins's father, Left Behind author Jerry B. Jenkins, has contributed a novelization of each of the show's first two seasons.[6][7] An additional third novel is planned.[8] Jenkins has collaborated in the past with his father on Hometown Legend and Midnight Clear, a full-length feature film based on one of his father's short stories.[8]
The elder Jenkins notes that this is atypical, since TV shows or movies are usually based on a novel, but that in this case it is the other way around, with the novel being based on the show in what he refers to as "a backward deconstruction".[7] He notes that the biggest challenge in this approach is adding detail to the story that is not part of the Biblical account.[7]
References[]
- ↑ Why 'The Chosen' is using satire and 'defaced' billboards to try and reach a new audience (April 14, 2022).
- ↑ Chosen Church Campaign Kit.
- ↑ Dallas Jenkins.
- ↑ Wenner, Emma (June 22, 2022). David C Cook Turns to Comics for Expansion.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "The Chosen," Season 1 Bible Study from Dallas and Amanda Jenkins releases from David C Cook on Jan. 21, 2021 (November 9, 2020).
- ↑ Law, Jeannie Ortega (June 20, 2021). 'Left Behind' author Jerry Jenkins talks new book, fatherhood and why he believes we're in the End Times.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dowd, Cooper (August 17, 2022). 'Come and See': Award-Winning Author Jerry Jenkins Releases Novel Based on Season 2 of The Chosen.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gryboski, Michael (August 25, 2022). Jerry B. Jenkins: 'The Chosen' series not a 'substitute' for reading the Bible, going to church.