Last Tuesday, 08 May 2012, "Act of Valor", the surprise movie hit which features active duty US Navy SEALs, hit Hong Kong for the first time. In preparation for this eHobby Asia, one of Popular Airsoft's active supporters, pulled out all the stops to make the Gala Premiere a night to remember. They even had a drill wherein all US Navy SEALS loadout used in the movie were used to impress the audience and of course, highlight the products that they have.

eHobby Asia is very much supportive of action movies, even indie film makers. Beat Down Boogie, the outfit behind the "Modern War Gear Solid", which also became a viral hit on YouTube, depended on the company for the gun props and gear they used in the making of the series. And with the upcoming "Mario Warfare", eHobby Asia continued on being an active supporter. "Act of Valor" was also a very unconventional movie as it features real deal US Navy SEALs and deployed Canon 5D MKII video DSLRs, making it the first major movie that used the DSLRs with HD video capabilities extensively to catch footages that cannot be done with traditional, more expensive, and larger movie cameras.

Photo: eHobby Asia Staff Prep-Up for Act of Valor HK Premiere

Before "Act of Valor" Hong Kong premiere, eHobby Asia gave away movie tickets to lucky customers, and prepared action gift packs for the guests, and even had a best-dressed airsoft team competition.

THEY EVEN LISTED THE WEAPONRY USED IN THE MOVIE…

…and most have airsoft replicas. The timing of "Act of Valor" also helps in promoting the company as a one-stop-shop for all things airsoft as the weaponry used in the making of the movie are mostly available at their store: SIG-Sauer P226, Glock 17, Heckler & Koch MP5A2, Mini Uzi, AK47 Rifle, Heckler & Koch HK91, M4A1 Carbine, FN M240G, FN M249 Para, General Dynamics GAU-17/A, M60D, Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun, and the big bangs provided with M72 LAW, Type 69 RPG, M67 & F-1 hand grenades.

Rather than making you google the web to search for links to airsoft stores that have these in stock, eHobby Asia have provided the links where to get these in one page. You can find it by this article available at their website ("Act of Valor gala premiere [Hong Kong]").

This serves as a lesson for any major airsoft store in terms of marketing. Action movies help in  marketing airsoft products. Of Hollywood type movies, the only company that we can think of as having some participation is MadBull Airsoft in the "Punisher". Other companies such as Tokyo Marui and RedWolf Airsoft have also supported movies but are mainly for the local markets. eHobby Asia aimed big on this one, and they had Hollywood at their sights for such a major marketing push with "Act of Valor".

The movie will be officially released in Hong Kong on the 17th of May 2012.

UPDATE: Here are the photos courtesy of eHobby Asia taken during the Premiere Night. You can view the high-res version at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.