Tuesday 20 April 2010

Living With Crime

What social scenarios are explored within each film?

How is crime portrayed in each film?

In what ways are people deprived in each film?
In all 3 films the characters live in poor areas and their families are poor this is shown in Sweet Sixteen by Liams step dad selling drugs to get money and Liam selling cigaretts and drugs for money and his mum is in prison so this shows he may not have a good future. In Bullet Boy Ricky is 1st seen coming out of prison so you know that he has been in trouble before and when he comes out of prison he goes back to his old friends and you know from the area he lives in it going to be hard for him to get away from crime. In London to Brighton the characters are deprived because Joanne is living on the streets begging for money and Kelly is a prostitute and when things go wrong for them the dont havee any one to turn to for help.


What opportunities are available to the main characters in each of the films?
In Sweet Sixteen Liam wants the opportunity to earn money to buy a caravan for him and his mum to live in. In Bullet Boy Ricky had the opportunity to go away and get away from the crime in his area but he doesnt take it untiull its too late. In London to Brighton Joanne had the opportunity to earn money for sleeping with someone and things go wrong but she ends up in a safe place with her Gran and ends up out of what happened to her in London.

How are criminals portrayed within each of the films?
In sweet Sixteen and Bullet Boy the main characters are the criminals really but they are show to be nice characters and you feel sorry for them and like they dont have any other choice but to do what they are doing. In London to Brighton the criminals are the ones that are after Joanne and Kelly and they are shown to be horrible so you dont like them but in the end they turn out good as they ket Kelly and Joanne go.

Can the protagonists (lead characters) escape from the situation they are in?
In sweet Sixteen and Bullet Boy the characters cant seem to escape form their situations because they have grown up there and dont know any different and dont know how to get out. But ib London to Brighton it is shown that they can get out os the situation as Joanne ends up living with her Gran.

What punishments do characters receive for their crimes in each of the films?
In Bullet Boy the punishments were Ricky was in prison and his friend dies and then he get killed. In London to Brighton it appears that Joanne and Kelly's punishment is that they are going to be shot but that never happens

How is violence portrayed within each of the films?

What social restrictions are evident within each of the films?

How can the films be said to reflect aspects of contemporary society?

What links can be made between the socail situation of the film and the society in which we live?

Monday 19 April 2010

Sweet Sixteen, Bullet Boy & London to Brighton

Sweet Sixteen

Is there a sense that the lack of opportunity that the characters have is what leads to their crimes?

yes because as you seen in the film Liam doesnt appear to be going to school and he is seeling cigaretts to make money at first then moves on to selling drugs. Also his mum is in prison and he wants to make money to be able to afford somewhere they can live.


The location in this film helps set the scene and shows the audience where they are from and how and where they live and stright away you can see that Liam if from a poor area and you know that crime is going to be a big thing where he lives.



How is family life portrayed within this film, what impact does it have upon the characters?

Liam is very close to him mum and hates his step dad as it is his fault his mum is in prison. All liam wants to do is make a sfae palce for him and his mum to live without his step dad but when his mum comes out of prison she runs back to his step dad which has a big impact on Liam and he ends up killing him. Liam also has a close relationship with his older sister and nephew.


How is social class explored within the film?

It shows Liam and his family and friends living in a low class town but it shows that they stick together more like his sister gives him a place to stay when his step dad kicks him out and his friend nearly killing himself to help Liam as he was told to kill him but he couldnt.

Bullet Boy

Representation of crime
form the start of the film you can see that crime is going to be the main problem as the main character Ricky is already in prison and just about to be let out. And when he meets up with his old friends you just know that hes going to fall back into crime if he dosent stay away from them.


Representation of family relationships
Rickey is very protective of his little brother and you can see through out the him that Rickey wants something better for his littler brother and for him not to go through what he did so when thier mum asks Rickey to leave for Curtis's sake Rickey leaves.

Representation of violence

you can see from the start that rickey doesnt want to get mixed up with violence again or anything that could get him sent back to prison and he trys to stay away but it seems that what ever he does he cant ecsape it.

Representation of class
Rickey and his family live in a small flat and Rickey and Curtis share a bedroom this shows that they are a low income family and this often hints that crime is going to be big within the ara they live in.

London to Brighton

Representation of family relationships

In this film one of the main character Joanne you find out that her mum is dead and that her dad abused her and that is why she ranawy from home. Joanne and Kelly form a good relationship throught out the film as Kelly trys to help Jonanne get to the granmothers where she will be safe.


Representation of poverty

Poverty is one of the key things in this film as Kelly is a prostitute and that is all she can do to get money. Also Joanne is found by Kelly begging on the streets also showing that she has no money.

Narrative method
I like the way the story is told with this film. It starts with the present of Joanne and Kelly in a toilet and then trying to get out Of London to get to brighton. But you are not told stright away why they have to leave London. Flashbacks are then usesd throught the film to show you why they are on the run what has happened to them and how Jonanne and Kelly became to be together.

Friday 12 March 2010

EXHIBITION QUESTIONS

1)Why are there no viable arts/independent cinemas in many areas? Why/how is Southampton able to sustain the Picturehouse (Harbour Lights).

There are not as many independent films for almost all film exhibitioners for example Odeon and cineworld which are owned by the film companies for example paramount,twentieth century fox which distribute all there films which leaves no room for British independent film. Cinemas such as the picturehouse aka harbour lights show mainly independent British films in contrast to bigger cinemas picturehouse only has two screens.


2) What is the relationship between movie going and video/dvd/blu-ray hire/sales?

A few years ago films would make more in the cinema than on video and dvd. Contemporary audiences now would rather wait to buy a film on dvd and watch it in the comfort of there own home.dvd quality has improved over the years so you can get the same quality as you would as home. Box office takings are all not about the cinema now, half of the money made by a film is down to DVD sales and merchandise.


3) What does the programming of the Sky movie channels and Film Four respectively say about the relationship between pay television, niche marketing and consumer behaviour?

With sky movies and film four there are movies on 24/7 and there’s also chose of different genres to watch. In between films there are trailers for the new films coming out and there are niche marketing schemes which promote a new released film. In these niche marketing schemes, there are exclusive clips and interviews with cast members.


4) What is the most appropriate response Contemporary British Cinema can make to Hollywood dominance.

British cinema should show more independent british films and not show as many Hollywood films.



5) Should British films be distinctive at the expense of profitability if profitable at the expense of distinctiveness?


6) Is it possible for British films to be both distinctive and profitable? If so, how ?(please use examples in your response)

In order for a British film to be distinctive and profitable, the film needs to be advertised more and seen as a more interesting film than a Hollywood film. Most independent British films don’t make it into the big British screens such as ODEON and Cineworld, so if more British films were in these cinemas are shown once a week, there might be a chance these films profit.


DISTRIBUTION QUESTIONS

1) How has Hollywood come to dominate world markets?


2) Why do i get to see the films I do at the local multiplex?
Because some of the cinemas are owned by the film companies so they choose to show their own films in these cinemas.

3) Do we get to see the films we want (demand led) or do we see films that are provided for us (supply led) and why?

4) Why are more people going to the cinema today?
New Schemes like orange wednesdays.Also films being released in 3D which you have to go to the cinema to get the full effect of theses films.


5) look to see whether films hold there positions well in the charts over a few weeks or whether they fall away quickly. What reasons can you come up with to explain this success or failure



PRODUCTION QUESTIONS
1) How has the status and power of stars changed over cinematic history?

2)Take any film you have seen recently and find out who produced it. Then try to find out more about this person. What was their role on this particular production? What have they and others got to say about their involvement and contribution? What projects have s/he been involved in previously, were these ventures successful?

3)Why are certain kinds of films guarenteed to make large profits and others high risk? Films that are guarenteed to make large profits are films with big stars in this is because people will go see the film just to see the actor/actress.

4) Which genres are currently popular/unpopular and why?

5) Why was Hollywood under the studio system so successful?

6) What has been lost and gained as a result if the replacement of the studio system by the producer/agent/deal system?

7) How and why has hollywood again become vertically integrated?

8) What are the consequences of vertical integration?

Thursday 4 March 2010

Is Cinema Dead ?

I dont think cinema is dead because there are many pros of going to the cinema to watch a film and cinemas have come up with new ideas to draw in audiences such as.. The whole cinema experiance seeing the film when it first comes out after seeing all the posters and trailers for it, Orange Wednesdays at Odeon this makes more people go as it is cheaper, Cinema reward cards these help get more audience as the more pionts you have on your card you can get a free ticket or free food and drink, 3D films are also better to see at the cinema as you dont the same effect at home,If a film as big Stars in it this impacts on how many people will go to the cinema to watch it, new cinemas with different and more comfetable seets like beenbags at the Vue,Types of film like sequals to big films are bound to make people go to the cinema to watch it if they like the 1st movie or books that have been made in to movies will draw in a bigger audience as fans of the book will go see the movie.

There are also reasons why people think cinema is dead like.. Illegal downloads if you can get the film for free then theres no point in paying to see it, cinemas are expencise not only for the ticket but food and drink aswell and some cinemas doont you bring your own food in,TV - Movie Channels,Dvds Blu-Ray this can also effect how many people go to the cinema because they might just wait untill it come out on dvd then they can watch it in their own home, Websites like Love Film also are cheaper than the cinema and again you can wacth the film at home.

Friday 26 February 2010

Shaun Of The Dead

What Year was the film released in the UK ? 9th April 2004

What year was the Film Released Internationally ? 24th September 2004

What genre would you consider this film to be ? Horror/Comedy

Did this film cater to an increase in the popularity of this genre or was it trailbalzing ?

Who Directed The Film ? Edgar Wright

Who Was The Producer ? Tim Bevan,Eric Fellner and Nira Park - Eric Fellner and Nira Park are English and Tim Bevan is from New Zealand.

Which production companies were involved in the film and where are they based ? Universal Pictures and Rogue Pictures. it was filmed in these studios
StudioCanal Working Title Films WT2 Productions Big Talk Productions


Who Funed The Film ? Inderpendatnly funed

How was the Film Publicised in the UK?

Was The Film Marketed In Terms Of The Stars In The Movie ?

Friday 5 February 2010

Hollywood Case Study - New Moon


Pre Production And Production

Story Source
The Twilight Saga:new moon is based on the book new moon written by Stephenie Meyer in 2006 and it is the second in the Twilight Saga.It was directed by Chris Weitz and the screen play was written by Melissa Rosenburg. The Budget for new moon was $50,000,000

Actors Salaries
Robert Pattinson - $12 million
Kriten Stewart - $12 million
Taylor Lautner -
Michael Sheen -
Dakota Fanning -

Which Production Companies Are Involved In The Film
Summit Entertainment

Use Of CGI and Special Effects In The Film
There is use of CGI for the Werewolves and for Bella's clif dive.
special effects are also used in the fight scenes and when Edward sparkles in the sun light. 80% of the Visual effects were created by an Indian firm called Prime Focus.

How Long Was The Shooting Schedule?
Shooting began on March 23 2009 in Vancouver and filming in Montepulciano, Italy began in late May 2009 and ended on 29th May 2009.

Music In The Film
The Score was composed by Alexandre Deslat and the ohter songs for the soundtrack were chosen by Alexandra Patsavas who also produced the Twilight Sondtrack. It sold 153,000 copies in the first week.The Soundtrack also features some well known bands like Muse, The Editors and Death Cab For Cutie. The song meet me on the Equinox by Death Cab For Cutie was the main song for the movie and the music video has a montage of the film in it. Muse was important to have on the soundtrack to new moon as they gave Stephenie Meyer insperation to write the Twilight Saga.

Is it Based On a Popular Genre?
New Moon is a hybrid genre as it is a combination of Fantasy,Romance,Drama and Horror. This makes it appeal to a wider audience.


Simplification Of Characters and Narrative
The Characters in New Moon are simple characters because they are easy for the audience to understand even if they havent read the book. The plot is also easy to follow and you dont necessarily have to have seen Twilight or read new moon to understand what is going on in the movie.

Distribution Company
Summit Entertainment

Budget
The Total budget for New Moon was $50,000,000

Ways The Film Was Markted
The first poster was released on May 19th 2009,There were posters on buses,Heat Magazine had an 18 page special on the film and other magazines had posters and interviews with the Stars. Sugar and Bliss magazine also had a whole section on their websites dedicated to the movie that were regularly updated with new pictures,trailers,interviews and gossip. The Cast Also attended the Teen Choice Awards to pick up 11 awards that where won for Twilight and they also talked about the release of New Moon which was at that point only a month away. New Moon also teamed up with Volvo there was an advert that featured Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen,Volvo held a prize draw to win Volvo XC60 which is the car that Edward Cullen Drives. New Moon also had its own website where you could download wallpapers and screen savers and read about the characters.


Trailers - Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner revealed the 1st trailer at the MTV Movie awards on May 31 2009. 2 Scenes were then shown at the 2009 San Diego Comic-con. On 12th August 2009 a 14 second preview of the second trailer was released online. The third trailer was released at the VMA's introdced by Robert Pattinson,Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. There was another trailer that was called Meet Jacob Black this had an exclusive interview with Taylor Lautner that plays Jacob Black and it was shown before the movie Bandslam.

Length Of Marketing Campaign
Marketing Began on May 19 2009 and ended around October 2009

Publicity For The Film
Stephenie Meyer went on the Oprah Winfrey show to promote the movie and Robert Pattinson went to the 62nd Annual Cannes film Festival.Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were also featured alot in magazines as they were rumored to be dating this helped with publicity for the film. Michael Sheen who plays Aro also was interviewed on GMTV a few weeks before New Moon came out. Robert Pattinson was also interviwed on GMTV and The Paul O'Grady Show before the movies release.

Promotion Of The Film
New Moon has a lot of merchandise that is avalible such as Action Figures, T-shirts, Jackets, Scarf's, Board Games, Bags,Jewellery,Book Marks, Chocolate Bars, Bed covers, Shower Curtains,Pens,Team Edward and Team Jacob merchandise.replicars of Rosalie Hale necklaces Alice Cullen Necklaces Esme Cullen Braclets and Edward Cullen sweatbands were avalible from forbidden planet. Burger King also had New Moon Themed meals. There was also a dvd called ROBssesed released on November 10th this dvd was a documentry of Robert Pattinson's Life leading up to the Twilight Saga. There is also another DVD called Twilight In Forks: The Saga Of The Real Town that is being released on March 21st 2009 ( day Beofre New Moon ).

Number Of Countries The Film Was Marketed In
New Moon was releaed in 64 countries.

Exhibition

Date Of Release
20th November 2009 - UK & USA

Box Office Takings For Opening Weekend
$142,839,137 in opening weekend this made it the highest grossing film by Summit Entertainment and the highest grossing film not released by one of the 'Big Six' film studios ( Walt Disney,Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures,20th Centry Fox, Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures)
New Moon set records as the biggest midnight opening in domestic (United States and Canada) box office history, grossing an estimated $26.3 million in 3,514 theaters.

Total Gross so far: $704,278,088

Length Of Time Released In Cinemas
80 days (USA)

Ways Film Was Released After Theatrical Release
DVD,Blu-Ray - Sold 367,352 copies,4 million of which were sold within its first weekend, beating Twilight's 3.8 million units sold in its first two days.[18]

Tuesday 2 February 2010

High Concept Film - Top Gun (directed by Tony Scott 1986

A style of Post-Generic fimmaking

Top Gun is a hybrid genre as it is a combination of 3 traditional genres ( Action, Drama, Romance). This makes the film apeal to a wider audience becuase the action will apeal to a male audience and the drama and romance will apeal more to a female aduience and by combining the 3 it could make the film more sucsessful as it will apeal to more people and they will want to go see it.

Use Of Extended Montages

Montages are used to show a period of time passing in the film.
Top Gun uses to main songs which are ' Danger Zone ' and Take My Breath Away'. When theses songs are used the film goes into a montage for example a few time through out the fim when danger zone is being palyed there is a montage of the planes and the characters flying the planes. Also when take my breath away is playing you see Maverick driving down the road on his motorbike. There is also one at the end showing the characters in the film.





Production Design

Advertising is important in the films marketing and so there are normally trailers and posters released to make people aware of the film. As Top Gun is a hight concept film it allows the advertisiment to be simple for example on posters they could use just a single word or phrase about the film or an image, for example the tag line was simple it was ' up there with the best of the best ' the poster was also simple as it only shows Maverick, Charlie and a plane on it.








Scences Replicated In Publicity

In the trailer for Top Gun there is mainly the whole scene where they first arrive at Top Gun and they are having a little induction to what Top Guns about. The Trailer also shows bits where they are flying the planes and when Maverick meets Charlie. The trailer also gives away a little what the film is about so that the audience can see if they would want to watch this film and if they would enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8ze3S0Uj8


Formal Excess

The camera angles when they are flying in the planes are edited together fast this makes the atmosphere exciting. Also when they are in the planes the angles change so you can see who is in which plane but it also gets confusing when you just see the outside of the planes as you cant tell which characters are flying the different planes.

Music Track Interrupts Narrative

In the scenes where Marverick and Charlie are together a slow song is played and when the planes are in battle a faster song is played by using different types of music that link to the scenes it creates it own narrative to the film and makes the auience pay more attention to what is going on in the scene.



Self - Conscious Allusion To Films And Television





Detached Appearance Of Stars



Hyperbolic Physiques And Action
Tom Cruise ( Maverick ) and Charlie ( Kelly McGillis) are the main hyperbole in this movie as Tom Cruise is good looking and Kelly McGillis is pretty.

Ironic Distraction : Walking - Talking Brand