- Cheap digital cameras make film more accessable to everyone, this also means that films are made by a wider range of people
- HD cameras ensure that films are of better quality, they are made in a shorter period of time and even the less professional productions look a high standard in terms of picture quality
- The modern day global popularity of YouTube has allowed non professionals to distribute their films, this has also allowed the creaters to recieve feedback on their production. However, the quality is not always the same as if it were watched on a big screen for example in movie theatres
- Mobile phones have allowed cheap and easy distribution. allowed feedback to be given, however they lack quality
- New technology has helped film makers as it has reduced the number of errors made in film production as the film is designed better
- Film makers are able to use technology to advertise their products and search for a market segments
- Piracy and illegal downloading has created competition for the film industry
- They constantly need to update and expand to provide the audience with a new exciting experience
- Alternative forms of online exhibition create competition
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
How has technology impacted the film industry?
Some of the reasons why technology has impacted the film industry are...
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Friday, 4 November 2011
Film Industry: Big Talk Productions
Big Talk Productions is an English film and television production company based in London and established in 1995 by Nira Park. In October 2007, Big Talk's film arm, Big Talk Pictures completed a development deal jointly funded by Film Four and UK Film Council under which it developed Attack The Block, and in September 2009 the company completed a financing and distribution deal with StudioCanal in order to expand its role within the film industry.
Big Talk productions has grown since its launch. Kenton Allen, the former BBC Creative Head Of Comedy, became Chief Executive in September 2008 as part of an investment from BBC Worldwide, which became a shareholder in the company. Now, it has an array of original TV comedy and drama with all the major UK broadcasters.
One of the films Big Talk have made is Attack The Block. The storyline consists of a group of teenagers from south London that have an aim to protect their 'block' from an alien invasion. This film was written and directed by Joe Cornish, produced by Nira Park and James Wilson and distributed by Sony Screen Gems.The film had an estimated budget of $13 million and a gross revenue of $1,024,175, the amount customers actually pay the company when making their purchases.
Another film under Big Talk Productions is Shaun Of The Dead Staring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost which was released in 2004. It was written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, directed by Edgar Wright and produced by Nira Park. It had an estimated budget of $4,000,000 and a gross revenue of $13,464,388, distributed by Universal Studios.
Paul, released in 2011 was directed by Greg Mottola and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It had an estimated budget of $40,000,000 and had a gross revenue of over $37 million, distributed also by Universal Studios.
Big Talk productions has grown since its launch. Kenton Allen, the former BBC Creative Head Of Comedy, became Chief Executive in September 2008 as part of an investment from BBC Worldwide, which became a shareholder in the company. Now, it has an array of original TV comedy and drama with all the major UK broadcasters.
One of the films Big Talk have made is Attack The Block. The storyline consists of a group of teenagers from south London that have an aim to protect their 'block' from an alien invasion. This film was written and directed by Joe Cornish, produced by Nira Park and James Wilson and distributed by Sony Screen Gems.The film had an estimated budget of $13 million and a gross revenue of $1,024,175, the amount customers actually pay the company when making their purchases.
Another film under Big Talk Productions is Shaun Of The Dead Staring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost which was released in 2004. It was written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, directed by Edgar Wright and produced by Nira Park. It had an estimated budget of $4,000,000 and a gross revenue of $13,464,388, distributed by Universal Studios.
Paul, released in 2011 was directed by Greg Mottola and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It had an estimated budget of $40,000,000 and had a gross revenue of over $37 million, distributed also by Universal Studios.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Life Cycle Of A Film
In order for a film to be created there must first be an idea as to what the film is about, a storyline in which it will follow and the genre of movie that it falls into along with the ideas and experience it is trying to give the audience taking into consideration who the target audience actually is. The idea can originate from the director, writer or could be based on a story which has been in the media before or a well known event.
As the creation of a film moves past development, it enters the stage of pre production. During this stage of the life cycle of a film, the casting is completed, the crew are hired, costumes are designed and the sets are being made. If the film however is shot on location, the location is scouted and contracted in order for the shoot to take place. The film is divided into scenes according to location requirements. The scenes are not shot in the order in which the audience sees them on the screen, the director has a sotryboard which they follow depending on the locations and actors which are available at the time. It is possible for a film to be dropped during this stage of development due to reasons such as loss of a vital cast member or any disruptions which means completing the film can not occur.
During post production, the raw filming is edited. Music is added at this stage, and any scenes which were unclear are re-filmed. The sequence of difference stages within the post production stage are the rushes, rough editing, final editing, music, first copy, censor formalities, distribution, publicity and screening. It is effectivly the final step in the making of a film.
A dostributor of a film will analyse a schedule as to when and how the film will be released. Finding a 'light week' to release the film will ensure that there will be both screen space and adequate collumn inches in the press allocated to any potential release. Finally, the distributor will try to position the film, avoiding other films with a similar release date and traits, for example storyline. After the release date is set, investments are made in the materials and marketing campaign to support it. Prints and advertising represent most of the investment, after paying initial fee for the rights and can range from £1000 to over £1 million for a release of a film in the UK. The studio makes a licensing agreement with the distribution company. the distribution company then determines how many prints of the films to produce. The company then shows the movie to prospective buyers representing cinemas. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.
Exhibition is the retail branch of the film industry. It doesn't involve the production or development of a film but its public screening, to paying customers in a site devoted to such screenings such as the cinema. The exhibitor sells the experience of a film and as a result of them having power over how the films are presented to the public, they have considerable influence over the box office success and the reception of the film. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.
As the creation of a film moves past development, it enters the stage of pre production. During this stage of the life cycle of a film, the casting is completed, the crew are hired, costumes are designed and the sets are being made. If the film however is shot on location, the location is scouted and contracted in order for the shoot to take place. The film is divided into scenes according to location requirements. The scenes are not shot in the order in which the audience sees them on the screen, the director has a sotryboard which they follow depending on the locations and actors which are available at the time. It is possible for a film to be dropped during this stage of development due to reasons such as loss of a vital cast member or any disruptions which means completing the film can not occur.
During post production, the raw filming is edited. Music is added at this stage, and any scenes which were unclear are re-filmed. The sequence of difference stages within the post production stage are the rushes, rough editing, final editing, music, first copy, censor formalities, distribution, publicity and screening. It is effectivly the final step in the making of a film.
A dostributor of a film will analyse a schedule as to when and how the film will be released. Finding a 'light week' to release the film will ensure that there will be both screen space and adequate collumn inches in the press allocated to any potential release. Finally, the distributor will try to position the film, avoiding other films with a similar release date and traits, for example storyline. After the release date is set, investments are made in the materials and marketing campaign to support it. Prints and advertising represent most of the investment, after paying initial fee for the rights and can range from £1000 to over £1 million for a release of a film in the UK. The studio makes a licensing agreement with the distribution company. the distribution company then determines how many prints of the films to produce. The company then shows the movie to prospective buyers representing cinemas. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.
Exhibition is the retail branch of the film industry. It doesn't involve the production or development of a film but its public screening, to paying customers in a site devoted to such screenings such as the cinema. The exhibitor sells the experience of a film and as a result of them having power over how the films are presented to the public, they have considerable influence over the box office success and the reception of the film. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
How is the representation of gender constructed? - Primeval
The clip of Primeval challenges and questions the typical role of both the male and female. Towards the beginning of the clip there is a scene of the main girl driving a digger. This job would stereotypically be taken care of by a man, however it is presenting her as more independant character. The digger is used as a symbolic prop, to emphasise destruction and to highlight the fact it is the girl who is controlling it. Through out the entire clip; she is wearing a black leather jacket, and her outfit over all is particularly for comfort in comparison to a fashion statement. This look which she has been given represents her as a person of authority, someone who has a vital role within the programme and a person who belongs and is part of the team she is working with. Approaching the final scenes of the clip, the woman appears to have a confident posture and body language , this also challenges the role of the female as it appears she is in demand. However, she is wearing make up and at one point states the fact she is wearing her 'best coat' this in itself forfills the stereotype of a woman. The pace of the editing is at a reasonably fast speed as it is emphasising tension and panic, one scene after another, putting the audience in their position.
Alternation between long shot and mid close up occurs when the main girl is driving the digger. This use of these techniques is to equally show her emotion and also to give perspective to the scene so that we are able to take a step back and look for ourselves. Just before the main man goes across the zip wire, a mid close up of him is used so that we are able to view his emotion, this is of both anxiety and adrenaline. As he attempts to run from the fast approaching animal, a low angle shot shows him about to venture up the ladder in order to escape it, or lure it over. The 180 degree rule is applied in the shooting scene, as the woman and the man converse, this rule ensures both characters are facing in opposite directions, appearing as though they are having an actual coversation when the film goes on screen. High angle shot is used as the sabertooth leans over the ditch. this shows the male is in less control in this particualr instance.
A soundtrack is continulously playing across the time span of the clip. It is often fast pace creating a feel of tension and telling the audience that something is about to happen. It also creates an atmosphere that characters are acting against the clock. One use of sound effects is the sound of gunshots near the end, the idea is to get the audience to feel frightened for the woman and she is staring down the barrel of a gun. The dialogue between the characters is quite confrontational and direct as they want to figure out a solution to the fear they have just faced. The women have equal amount of input in terms of the dialogue displaying equal gender roles.
Alternation between long shot and mid close up occurs when the main girl is driving the digger. This use of these techniques is to equally show her emotion and also to give perspective to the scene so that we are able to take a step back and look for ourselves. Just before the main man goes across the zip wire, a mid close up of him is used so that we are able to view his emotion, this is of both anxiety and adrenaline. As he attempts to run from the fast approaching animal, a low angle shot shows him about to venture up the ladder in order to escape it, or lure it over. The 180 degree rule is applied in the shooting scene, as the woman and the man converse, this rule ensures both characters are facing in opposite directions, appearing as though they are having an actual coversation when the film goes on screen. High angle shot is used as the sabertooth leans over the ditch. this shows the male is in less control in this particualr instance.
A soundtrack is continulously playing across the time span of the clip. It is often fast pace creating a feel of tension and telling the audience that something is about to happen. It also creates an atmosphere that characters are acting against the clock. One use of sound effects is the sound of gunshots near the end, the idea is to get the audience to feel frightened for the woman and she is staring down the barrel of a gun. The dialogue between the characters is quite confrontational and direct as they want to figure out a solution to the fear they have just faced. The women have equal amount of input in terms of the dialogue displaying equal gender roles.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
How does editing help construct a representation of disability?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auSAGvpM7W8&feature=youtu.be
The clip uses continuity editing throughout to ensure a smooth transition between shots which is logical. At the very beginning of the clip, the boy's disability is brought to the audience's attention, the camera begins at a low shot when the boy is speaking and then raises as the dad says his line, this emphasises the fact the boy is 'lower down' than his father and relies on him for care and support. Another camera editing technique which is used is shot-reverse shot and the over the shoulder shot. This technique is used to show the conversation between the call girl and the boy's dad towards the start of the clip and shows the audience the scene from the eyes of the call girl as she asks for the form. Another example of a shot-reverse shot is when she is locking the door. This technique is followed by the use of cut on motion. As the dad lifts the boy and begins to lower him to place him on the bed, the shot cuts to a scene of him actually on the bed, this distracts the audience from any editing cuts which may have been made.
The clip uses continuity editing throughout to ensure a smooth transition between shots which is logical. At the very beginning of the clip, the boy's disability is brought to the audience's attention, the camera begins at a low shot when the boy is speaking and then raises as the dad says his line, this emphasises the fact the boy is 'lower down' than his father and relies on him for care and support. Another camera editing technique which is used is shot-reverse shot and the over the shoulder shot. This technique is used to show the conversation between the call girl and the boy's dad towards the start of the clip and shows the audience the scene from the eyes of the call girl as she asks for the form. Another example of a shot-reverse shot is when she is locking the door. This technique is followed by the use of cut on motion. As the dad lifts the boy and begins to lower him to place him on the bed, the shot cuts to a scene of him actually on the bed, this distracts the audience from any editing cuts which may have been made.
Analysis of sound and representation of disability
Having analysed the clip, it was apparent that there was a frequent use of non diagetic sounds. The sountracks and sound effects which had been applied to the scenes contributed to an atmosphere of tension and awkwardness.
For the first couple of minutes of the clip, a soundtrack was absent. This was most likely intentional as it caused the scene to become extremely uncomfortable for the audience. Another reason for its absense was because it enabled the audience to be put in the shoes of the characters and feel for themselves a setting of silence.
Another observation of the clip was the dialogue used. The frequent use of short and snappy lines made for a feeling of wanting to skip to the reason why they were there in the first place, and to avoid having to engage in coversation. Unfinished sentences also created an awkward setting. One example of this is when the call girl went to the lock the front door, by unfinishing the sentence she was trying to say, it showed the audience that she was fearful to explain herself as to why she wanted to lock the door to start with. Frequent pauses between characters lines helped build up a sorrounding of tension and added to the quiet ambience of the appartment. Due to the fact the character's voices were quite timid, it drew the audience in and encouraged them to wait in anticipation to what the next line would be. How the dialogue was presented constructed empathy for the characters, mainly the disabled boy, who we felt sorry for, for the situation he had to go through to experience what a boy of his age would.
In order to emphasise the sound of the locking of the door, a microphone would have been placed over or near it to ensure the audience was aware of its significance. The heightened sound of the lock showed that the boy felt unaware and anxious.
A sound bridge began in the scene of the dad waiting in curiosity in the car and continuted to the scene of the boy and the call girl on the bed. The music was expressing an emotion of anticipation as well as an emotion of sadness. Despite the fact it was approaching a love scene, the boy appeared to be vulnerable due to the call girl's dominance and the fact he had placed himself in this situation.
Overall, the idea of the clip is to force the viewers to feel awkward and uncomfortable, just like the characters and to express a build up of events although the audience was fully aware of the reason the boy arrived at her appartment.
For the first couple of minutes of the clip, a soundtrack was absent. This was most likely intentional as it caused the scene to become extremely uncomfortable for the audience. Another reason for its absense was because it enabled the audience to be put in the shoes of the characters and feel for themselves a setting of silence.
Another observation of the clip was the dialogue used. The frequent use of short and snappy lines made for a feeling of wanting to skip to the reason why they were there in the first place, and to avoid having to engage in coversation. Unfinished sentences also created an awkward setting. One example of this is when the call girl went to the lock the front door, by unfinishing the sentence she was trying to say, it showed the audience that she was fearful to explain herself as to why she wanted to lock the door to start with. Frequent pauses between characters lines helped build up a sorrounding of tension and added to the quiet ambience of the appartment. Due to the fact the character's voices were quite timid, it drew the audience in and encouraged them to wait in anticipation to what the next line would be. How the dialogue was presented constructed empathy for the characters, mainly the disabled boy, who we felt sorry for, for the situation he had to go through to experience what a boy of his age would.
In order to emphasise the sound of the locking of the door, a microphone would have been placed over or near it to ensure the audience was aware of its significance. The heightened sound of the lock showed that the boy felt unaware and anxious.
A sound bridge began in the scene of the dad waiting in curiosity in the car and continuted to the scene of the boy and the call girl on the bed. The music was expressing an emotion of anticipation as well as an emotion of sadness. Despite the fact it was approaching a love scene, the boy appeared to be vulnerable due to the call girl's dominance and the fact he had placed himself in this situation.
Overall, the idea of the clip is to force the viewers to feel awkward and uncomfortable, just like the characters and to express a build up of events although the audience was fully aware of the reason the boy arrived at her appartment.
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