Sunday 6 April 2014
UK Digital Screen Network
Digital copies of films are cheaper, and so 240 digital screens were made at 210 cinemas across the UK which cost around £12 million. This was brought about because big blockbuster films reach over 300 screens but independent, restored and foreign films aren't really seen, and so is beneficial because an audience can see films that they may not have seen before and so they can support independent companies instead of just blockbusters all the time. However, some people argue that the film looks different and not how it is intended (Nolan hates digital cameras) so it is not always useful.
New Technology
The Dark Knight Rises
- IMAX cinemas
- The website has an encrypted audio film when users decrypted the hash tag #thefirerises Warner Brothers removed a pixel for every tweet to reveal the first image of Bane.
- For each tweet of a specific location or related graffiti a frame of the theatrical trailer was released.
- Magazines 'Empire and 'Wired' received document concerning 'Dr Leonid Pavel' which were plot elements of the prologue.
- Official Twitter account linked to 'Operation Early Bird' which was a website with a countdown. When the countdown ended there was a list of all the cinemas screening the prologue at an earlier date.
Frozen
- Individual snowflakes
- The whole thing was done through animation
- Disney chose to focus more on posters and trailers as advertising (didn't need much viral advertising because it was aimed at a younger audience)
How do consumers use 'new' technology to consume films?
Audiences are allowed to be more interactive through the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter or forums to be more involved with the films through updates, getting information or chatting to other fans. It is now also easier to watch films legally or illegally through the use of DVD's, Netflix or online downloading, and also to access advertising such as film clips and trailers. Such as with The Dark Knight Rises, people may enjoy the marketing campaigns used in the run up to the film because it builds up excitement. However with the easier access to things, the future of cinema is threatened because it is far cheaper, if not free, to watch the films at home through the internet.
Negatives of New Technology
Illegal downloading means that films make less money and so is not beneficial at all to the producers. However, the most illegally downloaded films tend to be big Hollywood blockbusters which still gross massive profits anyway so it doesn't effect them as much - it would only really have impact on smaller independent films who don't make much money. Netflix could be useful because it is cheaper and easier for consumers to use, but still pays money to the films; however, this tends to be used more for television series than films.
What experience does the IMAX offer?
The IMAX offers a more immersive experience of films, because its screen size is so much bigger than regular cinemas, and the sound and visuals are much clearer; this means that the audience will feel more involved with the action as if they are actually in the film, therefore offering a bigger feeling of escapism.
How popular are 3-D TV's?
At first the concept of it was successful because it seemed quite novelty, but then after a while to novelty wore off. The majority of people are not willing to spend so much money on a TV that makes them wear glasses all of the time whilst watching it, especially because reports show it can give people headaches.
What are the benefits of the cinema experience?
For most people, the cinema is a social experience where you would go as a family, with friends, or even on a date. It offers a better atmosphere because of the bigger screens and loud surround sound, as well as the feeling of being in a room with people who all like the same genre. Another benefit is this is where the film is first distributed, and so you get to see it upon its release almost straight away if you want to. However it is very expensive and can be ruined by other people in the room.
Films using CGI
Negatives of New Technology
Illegal downloading means that films make less money and so is not beneficial at all to the producers. However, the most illegally downloaded films tend to be big Hollywood blockbusters which still gross massive profits anyway so it doesn't effect them as much - it would only really have impact on smaller independent films who don't make much money. Netflix could be useful because it is cheaper and easier for consumers to use, but still pays money to the films; however, this tends to be used more for television series than films.
The IMAX
What experience does the IMAX offer?
The IMAX offers a more immersive experience of films, because its screen size is so much bigger than regular cinemas, and the sound and visuals are much clearer; this means that the audience will feel more involved with the action as if they are actually in the film, therefore offering a bigger feeling of escapism.
How popular are 3-D TV's?
At first the concept of it was successful because it seemed quite novelty, but then after a while to novelty wore off. The majority of people are not willing to spend so much money on a TV that makes them wear glasses all of the time whilst watching it, especially because reports show it can give people headaches.
What are the benefits of the cinema experience?
For most people, the cinema is a social experience where you would go as a family, with friends, or even on a date. It offers a better atmosphere because of the bigger screens and loud surround sound, as well as the feeling of being in a room with people who all like the same genre. Another benefit is this is where the film is first distributed, and so you get to see it upon its release almost straight away if you want to. However it is very expensive and can be ruined by other people in the room.
CGI
Films using CGI
- Lord Of The Rings/ The Hobbit
- The Matrix
- Avatar
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Life of Pi
How does CGI benefit the film industry?
It can create new ideas and concepts, particularly in the fantasy genre, so that the writers and directors can be more creative with their ideas, from things like small creatures, to whole new worlds, with the use of green screen. It makes the experience more realistic, and therefore more immersive for an audience, to draw them in to come and see the film.
How does CGI benefit the consumers?
It makes the experience seem more impressive because lots of things can be created by CGI that we wouldn't normally expect to see in our world, which makes the film more entertaining and overwhelming. The CGI would have to be done really well though, because sometimes the effects may not look realistic enough.
Do we expect CGI in films?
Particularly for fantasy or action films, we expect to see CGI because it can create things that we wouldn't be able to use in the real world in order to shoot a film, such as bullets or mythical creatures. This is particularly common in big blockbuster films as they can afford it and target a wider audience with popular genres, however is uncommon for independent films due to budgeting but also the themes, which do not tend to need it.
Do we expect CGI in films?
Particularly for fantasy or action films, we expect to see CGI because it can create things that we wouldn't be able to use in the real world in order to shoot a film, such as bullets or mythical creatures. This is particularly common in big blockbuster films as they can afford it and target a wider audience with popular genres, however is uncommon for independent films due to budgeting but also the themes, which do not tend to need it.
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Independent Film: Four Lions
Studio: Film4 Productions, Wild Bunch, Warp Films
Distributed by: Optimum Releasing, Drafthouse Films
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Kayvan Novak, Nigel Lindsey, Arsher Ali, Adeel Akhtar
Released: 7th May 2010
Four Lions is an independent dark comedy film based in Sheffield about a group of young British Muslim men who aspire to be suicide bombers. It was first shown in January 2010 at the Sundance film festival and was short-listed for the festival's World Cinema Narrative prize. The UK premier took place at the National Media Museum as part of Bradford's International Film Festival on 25th March 2010. It was released in the UK on 7th May 2010 and released onto DVD and Blu-Ray on 30th August 2010.
It was critically acclaimed quite well, with Rotten Tomatoes giving the film a 'Certified Fresh' score of 81% with an average score of 7.2 out of 10 from reviews. The site's general consensus is that its 'premise suggests brazenly tasteless humour, but Four Lions is actually a smart, pitch-black comedy that carries the unmistakable ring of truth.' Time Magazine rated the film as among top 10 movies of the year of 2010.
The film wasn't marketed very well, as it didn't have much budget aside for this after the production, and was mostly advertised through a trailer and some film posters. However the film became well known locally and through the film festivals and reviews in newspapers which allowed it to gain popularity.
The film also did well at the box office, making a total of £609,000 on its opening weekend. As of 8th August 2010, it had grossed £2,932,366 in the UK and as of 24th February 2011, it had grossed $4,658,570 - a remarkable amount for a British independent film. The reason why it may have been such a success may have been due to its controversial nature and original, realistic comedy.
Film Censorship
When was the BBFC established and for what reasons?The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) was formed in 1912 by the film industry, in order to bring a degree of uniformity to standards, so that films were made acceptable for the age group and nationality of the audience. What media forms do they regulate?
They regulate media such as films, DVD's, video games, advertisements and trailers.
How are they funded?
They are funded by fees to the films and video works that are submitted to them, as they are a non-government organisation.
What legalisation do they have to abide by?
- The Video Recording Act (1984)
- The Human Rights Act (1998)
- The Obscene Publications Acts (1959)
- The Protection of Children Act (1978)
- The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008)
- The Public Order Act (1986)
- The Cinematograph Films Animals Act (1937)
- The Animal Welfare Act (2006)
- Coroners and Justice Act (2009)
What is the process of classification?
Films are first submitted to the BBFC which are then put through a system at the reception by the facilities department. Research is then done and the technical department time the DVD and check the quality of the disc. The information system department measures video games and are responsible for the internal information, including the website. Two people watch the film and make notes.
Then the distributor gets the bill and they have to pay for the accounts department. Information services also have to handle all customer queries and ensure that they are fully informed of the classification decisions.
Films or computer games which are regulated (over 20 years ago).
Goodfellas (1980) was rated an 18 due to strong violence and swearing, but 8 scenes had to be cut anyway due to their strong graphical nature, just to get it into the cinema.A Clockwork Orange wasn't even passed through the BBFC or given a rating until 20 years after its release, but scenes were cut in order to be put into the cinema. The film was linked to deaths that occurred after its release, and it was withdrawn by Kubrick for about 27 years.
Films or computer games which have been subject to regulation recently.
The Human Centipede 2 was rated an 18 due to strong violence, gore and sexual violence, and had to have scenes cut in order for it to be released. Also A Serbian Film was rated an 18 due to strong sexual violence, and some versions of it had to have scenes cut in order to be released.
What is the American equivalent to the BBFC?
Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
Monday 24 March 2014
Social Realism vs Commercial British Films
Social Realist films are usually the ones that appeal to only really the British audience, because they contain 'gritty' themes and images that reflect what Britain is really like in particularly the working class culture, as opposed to focusing on a Utopian orderly middle-class Britain. An audience can therefore often relate to these types of films more, and the use of handheld cameras and improvisation makes these films more realistic. A teenager is usually the main character, with themes such as drugs, sex, money, and violence usually at the heart of the film, which is typically set in council-estates or 'rough' areas of Britain, to reflect these issues that we have in society today. Examples include 'Trainspotting', 'This is England' and 'Anuvahood'.
These are British films that typically have bigger budgets that aim to do well globally, particularly in America, as well as Britain. These films typically focus on the middle to upper classes to portray a more Utopian side to Britain, and therefore for example use royalty or prime-ministers as characters, and use more positive themes such as love, family and careers. There is usually no working class shown, however if there is, they are usually shown as happy in their situation (e.g. Mary Poppins), to further add to the feeling of Utopia, even if this is untrue. Star Power is often used to sell these films also, where American audiences may be attracted to the famous actors used. Examples of commercial films include 'The King's Speech', 'Love Actually' and 'The Holiday'.
Why is it important for Britain to have Social Realism and Commercial Films?
Commercial films are especially important for Britain to bring in money and profit from America, and also to create a more immersive experience of escapism for a British audience if it is unlike their usual lives. However social realist films are equally important to a British audience so they have something to relate to, and can enjoy seeing what are true messages and values underlying our British culture.
Who funds British film?
How was the British film industry funded in 2009?
Until 2011, British films were funded by the UK Film Council, which gained money from the lottery. It was abolished though because the Conservative-Liberal coalition said that it wasn't beneficial for Britain.
How is British film funded now?
The British Film Institute (the BFI) now funds the majority of British films, but there is not as much money that can be distributed.
What does the Government want for British film?
David Cameron thinks that British films should be commercialised, to be more popular in places like America also, which would then probably generate more profit, which show more middle class to upper class values of Britain, such as the stereotype associated with British royalty. This means that there is therefore little room for social realist films.
What were the most successful British films in 2012?
There aren't many exact lists that show the figures for highest grossing British films of 2012, only lists that show the highest grossing films at the UK Box Office, including American films. However, according to sources such as the BFI, Skyfall ($1,108,561,013) was clearly one of the most successful British films of all time, and other successful films of British origin that year included The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ($136,836,156), The Woman in Black ($127,730,736), Sightseers ($2,102,166) and Great Expectations ($258,656).
Is it important for British films to be successful outside of Britain?
This depends on the purpose of the film. Overall it is important that British films are successful outside of Britain because it means financially the films will generate more profit and income for the UK. However, these commercialised films tend to show Britain more positively within the upper classes, for example through the use of royalty. Social realism lower budget films tend to aim to simply entertain the British audience as something they can relate to, which means these films don't need to be as successful globally.
Find an example of a critically acclaimed British film that was not financially successful.
Kill List was successfully critically acclaimed (76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), however was not financially successfully because it only made $462,206, even though its budget was $800,000. It was therefore a failure because it only just made half of its budget back.
What are the issues with British films being 'commercial'?
The main issue is that films would then have to be made to appeal to a wider audience (mostly the Americans), which means Britain would have to be portrayed in a positive light and a stereotypical image (such as with the use of royalty, London, etc.) otherwise the audience would not be able to relate to it as much as a British audience (such as with social realist films which are more reflective of the society the British audience live in), and so wouldn't be as successful. This therefore means that commercial British films lose their 'Britishness' about them and do not show an accurate collective identity.
What is your favourite British film and why?
A Clockwork Orange is probably one of my favourite British films because it reflects how realistically, society can become so corrupt compared to the 'rose-tinted' views shown by other films. It contains themes of morality and psychology which are two themes I am widely interested in because they are down to individual interpretation, which is reflected in the psycho-sociopathic nature of the main character, and how he is attempted to be changed. It is a very controversial film, unlike others, which contains interesting ranges of cinematography and music to affect the audience in different ways, and I like this because it doesn't follow the same elements as most films which could get boring a repetitive. I also am a big fan of the director (Stanley Kubrick) and most of his work anyway, which drew me to the film in the first place.
Until 2011, British films were funded by the UK Film Council, which gained money from the lottery. It was abolished though because the Conservative-Liberal coalition said that it wasn't beneficial for Britain.
How is British film funded now?
The British Film Institute (the BFI) now funds the majority of British films, but there is not as much money that can be distributed.
What does the Government want for British film?
David Cameron thinks that British films should be commercialised, to be more popular in places like America also, which would then probably generate more profit, which show more middle class to upper class values of Britain, such as the stereotype associated with British royalty. This means that there is therefore little room for social realist films.
What were the most successful British films in 2012?
There aren't many exact lists that show the figures for highest grossing British films of 2012, only lists that show the highest grossing films at the UK Box Office, including American films. However, according to sources such as the BFI, Skyfall ($1,108,561,013) was clearly one of the most successful British films of all time, and other successful films of British origin that year included The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ($136,836,156), The Woman in Black ($127,730,736), Sightseers ($2,102,166) and Great Expectations ($258,656).
This depends on the purpose of the film. Overall it is important that British films are successful outside of Britain because it means financially the films will generate more profit and income for the UK. However, these commercialised films tend to show Britain more positively within the upper classes, for example through the use of royalty. Social realism lower budget films tend to aim to simply entertain the British audience as something they can relate to, which means these films don't need to be as successful globally.
Kill List was successfully critically acclaimed (76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), however was not financially successfully because it only made $462,206, even though its budget was $800,000. It was therefore a failure because it only just made half of its budget back.
What are the issues with British films being 'commercial'?
The main issue is that films would then have to be made to appeal to a wider audience (mostly the Americans), which means Britain would have to be portrayed in a positive light and a stereotypical image (such as with the use of royalty, London, etc.) otherwise the audience would not be able to relate to it as much as a British audience (such as with social realist films which are more reflective of the society the British audience live in), and so wouldn't be as successful. This therefore means that commercial British films lose their 'Britishness' about them and do not show an accurate collective identity.
A Clockwork Orange is probably one of my favourite British films because it reflects how realistically, society can become so corrupt compared to the 'rose-tinted' views shown by other films. It contains themes of morality and psychology which are two themes I am widely interested in because they are down to individual interpretation, which is reflected in the psycho-sociopathic nature of the main character, and how he is attempted to be changed. It is a very controversial film, unlike others, which contains interesting ranges of cinematography and music to affect the audience in different ways, and I like this because it doesn't follow the same elements as most films which could get boring a repetitive. I also am a big fan of the director (Stanley Kubrick) and most of his work anyway, which drew me to the film in the first place.
Cultural Test
A film must receive a minimum of 16 points on the cultural test in order to be considered a British film, but it doesn't necessarily have to be set in Britain or contain British culture. Producers try to get their film recognised as British because they would then get tax relief.
Cultural Test
|
Points
| |
A
|
Cultural Content
| |
A1
|
Film set in the UK
|
4
|
A2
|
Lead characters British citizens or residents
|
4
|
A3
|
Film based on British subject matter or underlying material
|
4
|
A4
|
Original dialogue recorded mainly in English language
|
4
|
Total Section A
|
16
| |
B
|
Cultural Contribution
| |
Film represents/reflects a diverse British culture, British heritage or British creativity
|
4
| |
Total Section B
|
4
| |
C
|
Cultural Hubs
| |
C1
|
Studio and/or location shooting/ Visual Effects/ Special Effects
|
2
|
C2
|
Music Recording/Audio Post Production/Picture Post Production
|
1
|
Total Section C
|
3
| |
D
|
Cultural Practitioners
| |
D1
|
Director
|
1
|
D2
|
Scriptwriter
|
1
|
D3
|
Producer
|
1
|
D4
|
Composer
|
1
|
D5
|
Lead Actors
|
1
|
D6
|
Majority of Cast
|
1
|
D7
|
Key Staff (lead cinematographer, lead production designer, lead costume designer, lead editor, lead sound designer, lead visual effects supervisor, lead hair and makeup supervisor)
|
1
|
D8
|
Majority of Crew
|
1
|
Total Section D
|
8
| |
TOTAL ALL SECTIONS (pass mark 16)
|
31
|
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