Exhibition
Inthe 2007 the cinema attendance reached its highest point in 40 years becasue of the blockbusters and the quality of films being produced. For exhibitors, piracy is the main problem in the 21st century. The amount of cinema goers has increased since 1984 because of teh introducing of multi-plex cinemas and a general rejuvination of the industry.
Location
In the past cinemas were built outside of cities because it was not economically beneficial becasue it was more expensive to build in cities. A problem with this is that many people couldn't get there. New cinemas are in a central place because of urbanisation. Audiences dont mind driving to places because they can see the movie and after get some shopping or go out for a meal.
Audience
The baby booms of the 1970s have become the most regular cinema goers. For a cinema to choose the films it has to do a survey in its location on the opening weekend. They usually book the film in advance and then review the decision to see whether to carry the film on. This comes down to the Monday after when they decide how many viewers there were and decide if the film will stop playing.
Digital Camera
With a digital camera the amount of movies available will be unlimited. Cinemas will be able to screen sport events and live shows. There are also new schemes that people can vote what they would like to watch in the cinema. Digital expands the audience and gives people extra options and more of a cinematic experience. Film directors can use 3D to their advantage as they can increase the ticket prices, meaning the profit will go up. Cinemas try to differentiate themselves from the home environment. People like to go to the cinema because it is a more relaxing place. Also they can socialise with friends and family. The size of the screen and the whole feel of the cinema makes it a more 'feel good' place.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Friday, 26 April 2013
Broken case study
We had a talk from Dixie Linders, (producer) who came in to talk to us about the British Film, Broken.
The story of a young girl in North London whose life changes after witnessing a violent attack.
Media Ownership-
The film was financed by BBC films, BFI and Tax credit. The budget for the film was £1.7 million. But originally wanted to have £3.8 million. The costumes for Broken had a budget of £10 thousand.
Cross media convergence and synergy-
For Broken there was a soundtrack made by Damon Albarn and the leading actress Eloise, who sung most of the songs in the film. Her singing gave the audience a more personal approach, which set an intamite tone between the audience and the character.
Technology-
Broken was shot on 35mm and then was ran through DCP so it was able to be distributed digitally. Because of the small budget they shot dated film which was close to expire.
Proliferation of Hardware and Content-
Broken is a small film and it couldn't compete with big block busters that came out at the same time. I was completely unaware of the film until we watched it in media. Actors like Tim Roth gave the star appeal which could have helped bring the target audience amd the money that came with them.
Technological convergence-
Broken was publisised through socail networking site suchas Facebook and Twitter. Steven Fry helped to publisise the film as he tweeted and mentioned the film. Having a music creator like Damon Albarnalso helped with publification because at the beggining of the Cannes festival they performed one of the songs from Broken.
The story of a young girl in North London whose life changes after witnessing a violent attack.
Director:
Rufus NorrisWriters:
Daniel Clay (novel), Mark O'Rowe (screenplay)Stars:
Cillian Murphy, Tim Roth, Rory Kinnear, Eloise Laurence, Cillian Murphy.
Media Ownership-
The film was financed by BBC films, BFI and Tax credit. The budget for the film was £1.7 million. But originally wanted to have £3.8 million. The costumes for Broken had a budget of £10 thousand.
Cross media convergence and synergy-
For Broken there was a soundtrack made by Damon Albarn and the leading actress Eloise, who sung most of the songs in the film. Her singing gave the audience a more personal approach, which set an intamite tone between the audience and the character.
Technology-
Broken was shot on 35mm and then was ran through DCP so it was able to be distributed digitally. Because of the small budget they shot dated film which was close to expire.
Proliferation of Hardware and Content-
Broken is a small film and it couldn't compete with big block busters that came out at the same time. I was completely unaware of the film until we watched it in media. Actors like Tim Roth gave the star appeal which could have helped bring the target audience amd the money that came with them.
Technological convergence-
Broken was publisised through socail networking site suchas Facebook and Twitter. Steven Fry helped to publisise the film as he tweeted and mentioned the film. Having a music creator like Damon Albarnalso helped with publification because at the beggining of the Cannes festival they performed one of the songs from Broken.
Audiences and institutions
1. Do you agree with Stewart's point regarding self-determination of audiences?
Cultural and social fads in people determine the size of audiences for films. I would go see a film if it was something that i found interesting such as psychological thrillers. Regarding Stewart's idea, the popularity of the film depends of if that genre is popular at the time. For example, Vampire based films, the Twilight Saga would be perfect.
2. Hall's idea about audience positioning identifies three ways that an audience can respond to texts. Using three case studies, identify a preferred, negotiated and oppositional reading and explain your own reasons for each case study.
I do believe that an audience can interpret different meanings for a film of TV program, especially in soap operas. When i watch a soap opera there are certain characters that seem to be horrid so i dislike them. With a film, some people don't watch a movie because of certain actors starred.
Case Studies
Broken- This is a film that i would have been to see because it is with in the area of film which i like. Also i would go to see it because Tim Roth is in it.
Life of Pi- I would not have been to see this because in my personal opinion i thought the plot looked boring. Also there aren't any actors in it which i recognise.
Batman The Dark Night Rises- I did not go and see this because the subject matter of a fictional character fighting villains is not my cup of tea. Also i have never seen any of the other batman films.
3. a] How can gender effect how you respond to a text?
Females prefer story lines that envolve relationships with in an action film. They care more about curreent affairs and relationships. Males focus more on the action, this was seen by BFI statistics when action was the most seen by males in 2001, this is because films like Captan America had just been released.
b]Why would you choose to go to the cinema as opposed to watching a film at home?
If it was a great new film that sounded interesting, i would want to see it straight away, but if it was something that didn't sound as good, i could wait until it came out o DVD. Also the quality of the cinema would have a huge affect because I like to be comfortable when watching a film.
c] Can you think of a text where you gained 'cultural knowledge' which shaped your expectations? Was that the reasons why you chose and enjoyed that text?
TV shows like Castle and Bones were the ones that interested me the most. It is more likely to be a TV show that included 'cultural knowledge'.
4. How do converged websites apply to Gauntlettes idea of a 'pick and mix' audience?
Convergences allow the audience to connect with the film in more than one way. It also boosts their awareness of the film and increases their fan bases.
5. To what extent do you believe in the effect model and the uses and gratifications model?
I believe that the audience is more active than passive, becuase you are morelikely to report to friends about a bad film after seeing it than if it was a good film. Both sides of this support the idea that audiences are active.
6. Mcquail believes audiences use texts for four different reasons. Can you identify these features in the marketing materials from your case studies.
a] Entertainment and diversion- To escape the pressures of everyday life films are put onto the screens for people to escape their normal routines and enjoy themselves. The Hobbit's live screening n the internet from New Zeland is one example of this.
b] Personal relationships- With all films there is always a chance to talk about it with another whether its positive or negative. The online convergences such as Facebook and Twitter allow people to discuss popular topics and movies for example Sky Fall.
c] Personal identity- Peoples imagination can allow them to picture themselves in a number of different fantasy lives, and see for themselves what it would be like to be a character of their choice.
d] Information/ education- Creators of films have influence from current events. For example spy films give the audience an insight in to the life of the government and how those governments work, for example, James Bond.
7. What is the audience fragmentation? How jas it changed the composition of audiences and the texts available to them? Has the Internet influenced this in any way?
Audience fragmentation is a phrase that focuses on the way people engage with media. It shows how the idea of audience in the digital ears are changing. User-created content and social networking are appart of convergence which have transformed. The problem is that more people are likely to see a trailer on the internet [e.g. Youtube] than on actual television. This is causing smaller groups to come together. Ther are less big-budget, blockbusters now and more fims are aimed at promotiong a 'cult' audience.
8] What is the 'push' and 'pull' media? How has the Internet shaped audience behaviour in realtion to 'pull' media?
Push media- where producers push films at the audience and we recieve and consume passively.
Pull media- the adience decides what they want to do with the media and how to access it in a way that suits them. Piracy is a big problem with pull media as it is so easy to illegally download a piece of media e.g. films and music.
Cultural and social fads in people determine the size of audiences for films. I would go see a film if it was something that i found interesting such as psychological thrillers. Regarding Stewart's idea, the popularity of the film depends of if that genre is popular at the time. For example, Vampire based films, the Twilight Saga would be perfect.
2. Hall's idea about audience positioning identifies three ways that an audience can respond to texts. Using three case studies, identify a preferred, negotiated and oppositional reading and explain your own reasons for each case study.
I do believe that an audience can interpret different meanings for a film of TV program, especially in soap operas. When i watch a soap opera there are certain characters that seem to be horrid so i dislike them. With a film, some people don't watch a movie because of certain actors starred.
Case Studies
Broken- This is a film that i would have been to see because it is with in the area of film which i like. Also i would go to see it because Tim Roth is in it.
Life of Pi- I would not have been to see this because in my personal opinion i thought the plot looked boring. Also there aren't any actors in it which i recognise.
Batman The Dark Night Rises- I did not go and see this because the subject matter of a fictional character fighting villains is not my cup of tea. Also i have never seen any of the other batman films.
3. a] How can gender effect how you respond to a text?
Females prefer story lines that envolve relationships with in an action film. They care more about curreent affairs and relationships. Males focus more on the action, this was seen by BFI statistics when action was the most seen by males in 2001, this is because films like Captan America had just been released.
b]Why would you choose to go to the cinema as opposed to watching a film at home?
If it was a great new film that sounded interesting, i would want to see it straight away, but if it was something that didn't sound as good, i could wait until it came out o DVD. Also the quality of the cinema would have a huge affect because I like to be comfortable when watching a film.
c] Can you think of a text where you gained 'cultural knowledge' which shaped your expectations? Was that the reasons why you chose and enjoyed that text?
TV shows like Castle and Bones were the ones that interested me the most. It is more likely to be a TV show that included 'cultural knowledge'.
4. How do converged websites apply to Gauntlettes idea of a 'pick and mix' audience?
Convergences allow the audience to connect with the film in more than one way. It also boosts their awareness of the film and increases their fan bases.
5. To what extent do you believe in the effect model and the uses and gratifications model?
I believe that the audience is more active than passive, becuase you are morelikely to report to friends about a bad film after seeing it than if it was a good film. Both sides of this support the idea that audiences are active.
6. Mcquail believes audiences use texts for four different reasons. Can you identify these features in the marketing materials from your case studies.
a] Entertainment and diversion- To escape the pressures of everyday life films are put onto the screens for people to escape their normal routines and enjoy themselves. The Hobbit's live screening n the internet from New Zeland is one example of this.
b] Personal relationships- With all films there is always a chance to talk about it with another whether its positive or negative. The online convergences such as Facebook and Twitter allow people to discuss popular topics and movies for example Sky Fall.
c] Personal identity- Peoples imagination can allow them to picture themselves in a number of different fantasy lives, and see for themselves what it would be like to be a character of their choice.
d] Information/ education- Creators of films have influence from current events. For example spy films give the audience an insight in to the life of the government and how those governments work, for example, James Bond.
7. What is the audience fragmentation? How jas it changed the composition of audiences and the texts available to them? Has the Internet influenced this in any way?
Audience fragmentation is a phrase that focuses on the way people engage with media. It shows how the idea of audience in the digital ears are changing. User-created content and social networking are appart of convergence which have transformed. The problem is that more people are likely to see a trailer on the internet [e.g. Youtube] than on actual television. This is causing smaller groups to come together. Ther are less big-budget, blockbusters now and more fims are aimed at promotiong a 'cult' audience.
8] What is the 'push' and 'pull' media? How has the Internet shaped audience behaviour in realtion to 'pull' media?
Push media- where producers push films at the audience and we recieve and consume passively.
Pull media- the adience decides what they want to do with the media and how to access it in a way that suits them. Piracy is a big problem with pull media as it is so easy to illegally download a piece of media e.g. films and music.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Technology Tasks- The Cinema Exhibitors Association Annual Report 2011
Why have cinema attendances increased?
The cinema going Summer could have been seen to kick off from May with the success of so many good films being released such as, Thor, Fast and Furious Five and Pirates of the Carribean: on Stranger Tides. This was then repeated in the following months by The Hangover Part 2, X-Men First Class, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and the unexpected success of Bridesmaids.
What id DFP and the VPF?
DFP- Digital Funding Partnership
Established by the CEA to support small and medium sized cinema operators seeking to digitise. A cooperative of some 400 screens covering all types of independently owned cinemas Collectively and in aggregate have sufficient first run programming to enter into VFP deals on the same basis as major circuits. DFP acts as a quasi circuit as has a fully financed deal with a third party where by that part will receive sufficient VFPs to pay back all relevant costs. The strategic beauty is that all cinemas benefit and none lose.
Scheme supported and backed by all studios, major UK circuits, BFI and Minister of Culture.
VPF- Virtual Print Free
Based funding agreement with XDC Digital Cinema. The cost of a screen is around 50k plus finance and other costs. Major distributors are unwilling to accept any lower standard because they don't want any bad press on the film. A sum of money is paid to a cinema when a film is played on a VPF supported system on the release date of the film. So if a cinema plays enough first run films over the funding period, say 10 years , then it covers off about 75/80% of the equipment and finance costs. A good proposition for major, commercial operators e.g. a national circuit.
What might happen to those who don't use the DFP?
If small or medium sized cinemas do not have the money to convert to fully digital by 2012 they will not be able to receive the new films.
Training and mind set issues
What problems face 'alternative' content?
One of the problems that alternative content faces is that the audience could find it odd to the idea of using a cinema for other purposes such as screening of concerts and sports. Also it is expensive to rent screen rooms for the public and not many people want to pay a lot of money. Also you have to pay to have it classified and then pay for the screen usage which people are reluctant to do.
The cinema going Summer could have been seen to kick off from May with the success of so many good films being released such as, Thor, Fast and Furious Five and Pirates of the Carribean: on Stranger Tides. This was then repeated in the following months by The Hangover Part 2, X-Men First Class, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and the unexpected success of Bridesmaids.
"Considering that the first two months of the previous year had benefited
from the extraordinary box office of Avatar, the increased level of cinema
admissions during the same period in 2011 was all the more remarkable,
with the UK film The King’s Speech enjoying exceptional success and going
on to become the second largest film of the year. The months immediately
following however saw a significant tailing off in audiences as they
responded to good weather and a generally downbeat slate of films. "
- The cinema Exhibitors' Association Annual Report
Many major titles came out in 2011, including the much anticipated final installment of the Harry Potter series- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Also the increase in technology has made a huge effect on the cinema. Also cinemas can now screen Tv shows like Strictly Come Dancing Final. 3D is making a huge effect on the amount of people attending cinemas.
What id DFP and the VPF?
DFP- Digital Funding Partnership
Established by the CEA to support small and medium sized cinema operators seeking to digitise. A cooperative of some 400 screens covering all types of independently owned cinemas Collectively and in aggregate have sufficient first run programming to enter into VFP deals on the same basis as major circuits. DFP acts as a quasi circuit as has a fully financed deal with a third party where by that part will receive sufficient VFPs to pay back all relevant costs. The strategic beauty is that all cinemas benefit and none lose.
Scheme supported and backed by all studios, major UK circuits, BFI and Minister of Culture.
VPF- Virtual Print Free
Based funding agreement with XDC Digital Cinema. The cost of a screen is around 50k plus finance and other costs. Major distributors are unwilling to accept any lower standard because they don't want any bad press on the film. A sum of money is paid to a cinema when a film is played on a VPF supported system on the release date of the film. So if a cinema plays enough first run films over the funding period, say 10 years , then it covers off about 75/80% of the equipment and finance costs. A good proposition for major, commercial operators e.g. a national circuit.
If small or medium sized cinemas do not have the money to convert to fully digital by 2012 they will not be able to receive the new films.
Training and mind set issues
Competition for equipment and technical expertise for physical installations. Space and facilities required in projection booths [Air con]
Loading and playing out content
Security, unlock keys for encrypted content
Basically a complete new way of operating
What problems face 'alternative' content?
One of the problems that alternative content faces is that the audience could find it odd to the idea of using a cinema for other purposes such as screening of concerts and sports. Also it is expensive to rent screen rooms for the public and not many people want to pay a lot of money. Also you have to pay to have it classified and then pay for the screen usage which people are reluctant to do.
Friday, 15 March 2013
Case Study 5.1
This is the 1st shot from the second scene. The transition is quick indicating that the activities of the characters in the second scene have to be fast.
Camera-
In the 1st scene all the camera shots are close ups of the different characters. All of the shots have quick transitons after the characters have said their lines. The camera doesn't pan in this scene. In the second scene the camera is very shaky this could have been used to create the effect that they are scared or startled. In the second scene there are a lot of over the shoulder shots included. 
Editing-
The bridge is made by adding a quick transition from the top image on this page to the second. There are many angle shots from different persepectives in the first scene. This could create the effect of perspective for the audience.
Sound- In the first scene the sound is just the dialogue, with background music that was played in the pub which they are in. In the second scene it is just dialogue. Everything that the characters are saying during the second scene is important.
Mise en scene- In the first scene there is a lot of natural light in every shot. In the second scene there is darkness and shadows on the bad characters. On the good character there is a little bit of natural light with a few shadows ths could represent his past. The first storyline is in a public place in the second it is in a flat which creates privacy and mystery with in the set. The atmosphere for the first scene is relaxed, the second is tense and scared. In the first scene there is many bright colours including Cheryls top which is bright blue, while in the second scene there are very pastel like colours which seem urban. It seems like their clothing is trying to not attract attension.
Time- 2.16- 6.04
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Working Title Visit
On thursday 28th February Reepham college media students had the opportunity to visit Working Title and have a talk from some of the people who worked in different departments of the industry.
Charlotte, Tristan and Tilly- Internship
Tilly was on the program Action! which is a one year program for people trying to get into the industry. They choose three people, one goes to developing, runner and production. They also talked about their own personal roles in working title. Tristan had worked on the production of Skyfall and went to another country to film the beggining sequence of the train scene. He also spent 5 months on the set of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises.
Development
In development it is the whole procees from the original idea to the screening. The development process varies depending on the film. With Anna Karenina it took a short time compared with Les Miserables. Marketing has its own department next to development. Marketing and development have to have many convosations and meetings between collegues in order to solve difficulties with in the departments.
Amelia Granger is in film development. To come up with ideas for a film you use many resoures suchas books, novels, plays. Then thinking processes and meetings with writer and directors.
Assistant Director
The assistant director is there for production on set and the communication between each individual group is handled by them. They get to see everything onset. Things will mostly go wrong so contigency plans are needed and you need to be able to improvise inmany different situations.
Adaption
Adaption takes a long time if you are creating a film from a book with out the play in the middle. In the case of Anna Karenina there was a playthat could be used before hand anyway so the used that as a guideline for the film. Tom Stoppard is the screen writer who did Shakespeare in love, War Horse and worked on Anna Karenina.
Production and Anna Karenina
Production focuses on schedule and budget. For Anna Karenina Universal gave a certain amount of money for the entire process of making the film. The amount of money given was not enough meaning the orginal ideas had to be scrapped. Then the idea of the theatre was created and saved a lot of money. They filmed part of the movie in Kizzy, it was -40 degrees and many of the crew got frostbite and equiptment got broken. During the process offices are given scripts to breakdown and analyse in order to work out the budget of the film.
Audience for Anna Karenina
The target audience was aimed at those in the upmarket class with a literature background. The audience similar to Pride and Prejudice and Atonement.
Investors
Investors have little input in the making process. They are sent a casting list, concept designs and given a brief over view of what the director wants to create. Some productions like Working Title compromise and it is generally a satisfying process with very little disagreements.
Special Effects
Visula effects crashed and businesses are shutting down or reducing their employee numbers- famine or feast situation. It took off around the time of avatar being released when everyone wanted to see a special effects film. Now not many people are interested by special effects so the numbers have dropped and many businesses are having to shut down. The business is incredibly competitive.
Editing
The editor puts in a rough cut with every scene and everyone watches a screening of it. After they talk about it and the visual effects come ina and decision would be made. Once the directors cut is viewed nothing else is done.
Charlotte, Tristan and Tilly- Internship
Tilly was on the program Action! which is a one year program for people trying to get into the industry. They choose three people, one goes to developing, runner and production. They also talked about their own personal roles in working title. Tristan had worked on the production of Skyfall and went to another country to film the beggining sequence of the train scene. He also spent 5 months on the set of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises.
Development
In development it is the whole procees from the original idea to the screening. The development process varies depending on the film. With Anna Karenina it took a short time compared with Les Miserables. Marketing has its own department next to development. Marketing and development have to have many convosations and meetings between collegues in order to solve difficulties with in the departments.
Amelia Granger is in film development. To come up with ideas for a film you use many resoures suchas books, novels, plays. Then thinking processes and meetings with writer and directors.
Assistant Director
The assistant director is there for production on set and the communication between each individual group is handled by them. They get to see everything onset. Things will mostly go wrong so contigency plans are needed and you need to be able to improvise inmany different situations.
Adaption
Adaption takes a long time if you are creating a film from a book with out the play in the middle. In the case of Anna Karenina there was a playthat could be used before hand anyway so the used that as a guideline for the film. Tom Stoppard is the screen writer who did Shakespeare in love, War Horse and worked on Anna Karenina.
Production and Anna Karenina
Production focuses on schedule and budget. For Anna Karenina Universal gave a certain amount of money for the entire process of making the film. The amount of money given was not enough meaning the orginal ideas had to be scrapped. Then the idea of the theatre was created and saved a lot of money. They filmed part of the movie in Kizzy, it was -40 degrees and many of the crew got frostbite and equiptment got broken. During the process offices are given scripts to breakdown and analyse in order to work out the budget of the film.
Audience for Anna Karenina
The target audience was aimed at those in the upmarket class with a literature background. The audience similar to Pride and Prejudice and Atonement.
Investors
Investors have little input in the making process. They are sent a casting list, concept designs and given a brief over view of what the director wants to create. Some productions like Working Title compromise and it is generally a satisfying process with very little disagreements.
Special Effects
Visula effects crashed and businesses are shutting down or reducing their employee numbers- famine or feast situation. It took off around the time of avatar being released when everyone wanted to see a special effects film. Now not many people are interested by special effects so the numbers have dropped and many businesses are having to shut down. The business is incredibly competitive.
Editing
The editor puts in a rough cut with every scene and everyone watches a screening of it. After they talk about it and the visual effects come ina and decision would be made. Once the directors cut is viewed nothing else is done.
Notes on Anna Karenina opening scene
The film Anna Karenina is based on a book by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, published in serial installments from 1873 to 1877 in the periodical The Russian Messenger. The opening scene, it plays a dated style music which sets the century of in which the film is taken place in (1700s). The music is also typically Russian. The opening action shots are like a theatre production, with different rooms being changed by the set. It could relate that the book which was turned into a play and is currently a film. As the opening sequence progresses we are are introduced to one of the male characters in the film as he sits down on a chair to be shved. The way the shaving is taken place it is almost like a performance, the way it is exaggerated. The barber has a red cloak this could make reference to spanish bull masters and their exaggerated dangerous job. There is a close up shot of the character showing his features so that he audience knows who he is throughout the film. The features and clothing of the character could mean that he is an important man with in society. We get the impression that the main characters are in the higher class. We are then introduced to the main character Anna Karenina (Kiera Knightly) who is being dressed by her maid, this further supports the point that the main characters come from a higher class. There is an extreme close up of her ring, this could emphasise the fact that she is married, and that this is an important feature in the film. When the she is fully dressed she is followed by the camera with a tracking shot through out the sets as they change. This follows by the interaction between her and her husband and son, this is when the first part of the plot line is put into place. Her husband is seen as the dominant one in the household, as the levels are used.
When she says goodbye to her son their shadows reveal that they are hiding which could mean there are secrets with in the entire film that need to be presented.
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