Portfolio: Practice Press Releases

 Below are two press releases I wrote for an assignment for my Media Writing module at university in 2019. They are press releases for David Walliams book The Beast of Buckingham and Netflix's film The King

*Neither of the press releases are associated with David Walliams, Netflix or any other parties. All quotes used were made up by me (Harry Penwell), and are intended to be similar to what could have been said, but aren't representative of any actual words said. *

 

Press Release for The Beast of Buckingham Palace:

To Children’s Book Magazine:

From: the PR manager of The World of David Walliams

Subject line/headline: David Walliams releases first fantasy/sci-fi book: The Beast of Buckingham Palace

For release on 21st November 2019

Bestselling children’s author David Walliams is publishing his first foray into fantasy and science fiction with The Beast of Buckingham Palace. The book follows the adventures of Prince Alfred who, in the year 2120, must battle with mythical monsters in order to save his mother, the Queen, and the city of London itself. The book will be released worldwide in all major bookstores and online booksellers today.

The book marks an important change for the no.1 bestselling author, as it is his first story in the genres of fantasy and science-fiction. However, the story, which depicts a futuristic London in ruins, still contains all the humour and love of the grotesque that his fans, both young and old, have come to expect and enjoy. And for new fans, the book will be a fantastic starting point to get you hooked on Walliams’ heart-warming brand of writing. Regardless, this book promises to be an enthralling adventure through a land where myths and legends are alive in the future and not just the past.

Walliams is once again joined by his long-time illustrator, the magnificent Tony Ross, whose Quentin Blake-like illustrations are sure to capture the imaginations of children, as well as the nostalgia of parents raised on Roald Dahl. This is Walliams’ 13th children’s novel, and 15th collaboration with Ross, who also worked on Walliams’ bestselling short-story series The World’s Worst Children. In addition, Walliams is well known for his stint as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since 2012, and, for older readers, his sketch comedy shows Little Britain and Come Fly With Me.

When announcing the release of his new book, David Walliams had this to say: ‘I know that I’ve been incredibly lucky to get where I am, although I’m sure you’ll agree that my absurd amount of natural talent has something to do with it as well [laughs]. But to be serious, for possibly the first time in my life, I truly am grateful to have been able to write this book. It’s been a real adventure for me, being the first time that I’ve left the relative safety of the real world and truly dared to explore something fantastical. I hope the children, and the parents reading over their shoulders, enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Or more so, preferably.’

The book will be published today, Thursday 21st November 2019, in all major bookstores and online booksellers. Waterstones have described the book as ‘an unqualified triumph’ and Amazon says that Tony Ross is an ‘artistic genius’. It will make a great Christmas present, early Christmas present, birthday present or just a present for a Thursday night, for your children, your friends’ children, your friends or for yourself!

Find out more and order now at: https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/book/the-beast-of-buckingham-palace/

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Contact details:

Email: reception@worldofdavidwalliams.co.uk

Phone number: (+44) 02095643216

Photos are available on demand.

Notes for the editor:

David Walliams is the biggest selling children’s author to have started writing since the year 2000 and he has sold over twenty-six million copies worldwide.

 

Press Release for The King:

To: Digital Spy

From: the PR manager of Netflix’s distribution crew from The King

Subject line/headline: Release of Timothée Chalamet’s new film The King on Netflix

For immediate release

Oscar Award nominee Timothée Chalamet is starring in the new Netflix film, The King, based on parts of Shakespeare’s Henriad. The film follows Chalamet, as King Henry ‘Hal’ V, first as a boyish prince more interested in drinking and whoring with his trusted friend John Falstaff, than succeeding his father as king. It continues to portray Hal’s growth into becoming Henry V, and the horrors of medieval warfare at the Battle of Agincourt. The film will be released on Netflix on 1st November 2019.

The film marks a considerable change for Chalamet, so far known for the warmth of his Elio in Call Me By Your Name and the anguish of his Nicolas Shelf in Beautiful Boy. Now, however, he has to handle himself with the subdued majesty of a king with a crumbling nation resting on his shoulders. But Chalamet, and King Hal himself, are not alone in the film, playing across from the Joel Edgerton as his alcoholic mentor, Falstaff, as well as Ben Mendelsohn’s King Henry IV and Robert Pattinson’s The Dauphin. Pattinson’s Joker-like portrayal of The Dauphin should be paid particular attention, as it comes before his portrayal of Batman in 2021’s The Batman.

It was revealed in 2013 that director David Michôd, of Animal Kingdom acclaim, would be collaborating with Joel Edgerton to write an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 and Henry V for Warner Bros. Pictures. However, ultimately, the film’s distribution rights were picked up by Netflix instead of Warner Bros. The film is produced by Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Liz Watts, under the Plan B Entertainment banner as well as Netflix, Blue-Tongue Films and Porchlight Films.

Speaking of the film, writer and actor Joel Edgerton has said: ‘It truly is an honour to get to play one of Shakespeare’s greatest characters, the alcoholic whoring knight Falstaff [laughs], and to adapt him onto the screen as well. I’ve also had a terrific time acting across from Timothée and Robert, as well as my old Animal Kingdom co-star Ben Mendelsohn. And David Michôd has truly directed something masterful. So, um, yeah, come an see our film. I mean, thanks to Netflix, you don’t even have to leave your house to do it anymore [laughs]! Wow, things truly are changing fast, aren’t they? Maybe a two-hour Shakespearian epic is just what we all need right now.’

The film received a limited cinematic release on 11 October 2019 and will be released on Netflix on Friday 1st November 2019. Reviews have been positive, with an approval rating of 71% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. The website’s critical consensus says that ‘strong source material and gripping performances make this a period drama worth hailing’.

For more information visit https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80182016.

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Email: reception@Netlfix.co.uk

Phone number: (+44) 08435642327

Photos are available on demand.

Notes for the editor:

N/A

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