Saturday, 11 May 2013
Red Christmas - Final Cut
The final cut of our slasher film, Red Christmas. As you can see, there have been several changes to the sequence of events, as well as some entirely new footage.
Evaluation Q1 Forms and conventions
Our media product is quite conventional in a number of ways. It follows Todorov's narrative structure, beginning with a form of equilibrium as the characters go carol singing at Christmastime. It is only when the masked killer is added then a state of disequilibrium is reached and the singers begin to be targeted, one by one. This format of teens being stalked and killed by a mysterious, unseen adversary uses Barthes' narrative engima; a common slasher feature and one that appears in what's considered the earliest slasher film, Psycho (Hitchcock, 1960).
However, in other ways our product does try to challenge some of the established conventions. For example, in the opening scenes there is very little explicit sexual or violent content, long considered standard in horrors and slashers in particular. Furthermore, the character that we initially choose to follow does not conform to many of the 'scream queen' stereotypes, and could be said to be a countertype instead. There is also a sense of naivity about the main characters, they have not transgressed some cultural norm, they have simply been over curious and investigated somewhere they shouldn't.
Our killer character is perhaps more of a standard archetype. Dressed in an outfit rather than normal clothing, and carrying a sharp object which he uses as a weapon, he fits in with many established on-screen killers. And as mentioned above, his mysterious nature is another factor of his conventionality, killers from Norman Bates to Leatherface have been enigmatic in either motive or identity (or sometimes both!). Our killer initially seems to follow in this tradition.
In terms of film making, we have stuck to long-established methods. Quick, rapid cutting and shot selection during scenes of violence contrasts with long, drawn-out takes to create a sense of unnaturality and foreboding. Another common technique we have use is one of showing a scene from the killer's point-of-view; again this has been used almost right from the beginning of the genre and is still commonly used today. Overall, our film can be considered to apply methods and techniques that have continued throughout the history of the genre.
However, in other ways our product does try to challenge some of the established conventions. For example, in the opening scenes there is very little explicit sexual or violent content, long considered standard in horrors and slashers in particular. Furthermore, the character that we initially choose to follow does not conform to many of the 'scream queen' stereotypes, and could be said to be a countertype instead. There is also a sense of naivity about the main characters, they have not transgressed some cultural norm, they have simply been over curious and investigated somewhere they shouldn't.
Our killer character is perhaps more of a standard archetype. Dressed in an outfit rather than normal clothing, and carrying a sharp object which he uses as a weapon, he fits in with many established on-screen killers. And as mentioned above, his mysterious nature is another factor of his conventionality, killers from Norman Bates to Leatherface have been enigmatic in either motive or identity (or sometimes both!). Our killer initially seems to follow in this tradition.
In terms of film making, we have stuck to long-established methods. Quick, rapid cutting and shot selection during scenes of violence contrasts with long, drawn-out takes to create a sense of unnaturality and foreboding. Another common technique we have use is one of showing a scene from the killer's point-of-view; again this has been used almost right from the beginning of the genre and is still commonly used today. Overall, our film can be considered to apply methods and techniques that have continued throughout the history of the genre.
Evaluation Q2 Representations
In our film, the entire cast is made up of teenagers/young adults, so it can be seen already the very specific target audience we had in mind. Our characters are portrayed as a normative group, with a common age range (16-17), and manner of dress; notably they are all stereotypically feminine, with long hair, makeup and fashionable clothing. They are all also not specifically portrayed as being part of a particular social clique or other group, and we would expect the average teen audience to be able to relate to them. The girls are carol singers in our film, so there are connotations of naivety and both the characters accents and location would suggest a middle-class setting. However, in a twist from the normal slasher film patterns, it is the character who would normally be expected to survive the film, being fairly conservatively dressed, who is the killer's first victim - an example of a countertype.
We have not gone out of our way to try and represent any form of regional or cultural identity. Although our cast is made up of people from the local Yorkshire area, we consciously didn't make this obvious. Too much emphasis on this could have alienated viewers from different areas, and part of the popularity of the slasher genre is that the main characters could be from anywhere. It's also far more common that the location of slasher films is a small town or leafy suburbia, rather than a well-know city, so again our film reinforces these views.
We have not gone out of our way to try and represent any form of regional or cultural identity. Although our cast is made up of people from the local Yorkshire area, we consciously didn't make this obvious. Too much emphasis on this could have alienated viewers from different areas, and part of the popularity of the slasher genre is that the main characters could be from anywhere. It's also far more common that the location of slasher films is a small town or leafy suburbia, rather than a well-know city, so again our film reinforces these views.
Evaluation Q3 Distributor
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Distributors are companies whose job it is to make sure media products (such as films, music and other commercial items) get a wide release and are available to buy. Their job is in advertising and persuading cinemas that their film should be shown.
Our product is a low-budget indie film, with no stars or expensive effects, so it would have difficulty getting picked up by one of the large conglomerates, such as Warner Bros. or Paramount Pictures. These companies are two of the 'big six', large Hollywood companies, and although they are primarily involved in production and broadcasting rather than distribution, they are so large that they usually have a distribution wing, often a subsidiary rather than a separate partner. To them, indie films are seen as a liability, with no guaranteed box office success, and it would be incredibly difficult to get a distribution deal with no proven track record. Instead, a company used to dealing with indie productions might be more ideal.
Unlike the US, media institutions operate differently in the UK. The UK Film Council, an umbrella group set up in 2000 with twelve regional bodies, (intended to tie together the various parts of the UK film industry) was directly funded by the UK government; privately financed film production companies are unlikely to succeed thanks to domination of the market by American companies. This allows indie companies to gain enough money to finance and distribute their products without having to compete with the 'big six'. Warp Films is funded in this way, specifically by its local regional arms EM Media and Screen Yorkshire. In 2011 the Council was closed down due to budgetary concerns, and most of its role was carried on by the reduced regional arms and the British Film Institute.
StudioCanal UK (formerly Optimum Releasing) is a distribution company that has worked with indie and low-budget filmmakers multiple times in the past; it is the main distributor of films made by Warp Films and several other British film companies. Although it is a subsidiary itself, half owned by NBCUniversal, it's role is primarily one of releasing non-Hollywood films, and it has a specialty in UK indies. It would be an ideal distributor for our film if we could secure a deal.
Distributors are companies whose job it is to make sure media products (such as films, music and other commercial items) get a wide release and are available to buy. Their job is in advertising and persuading cinemas that their film should be shown.
Our product is a low-budget indie film, with no stars or expensive effects, so it would have difficulty getting picked up by one of the large conglomerates, such as Warner Bros. or Paramount Pictures. These companies are two of the 'big six', large Hollywood companies, and although they are primarily involved in production and broadcasting rather than distribution, they are so large that they usually have a distribution wing, often a subsidiary rather than a separate partner. To them, indie films are seen as a liability, with no guaranteed box office success, and it would be incredibly difficult to get a distribution deal with no proven track record. Instead, a company used to dealing with indie productions might be more ideal.
Unlike the US, media institutions operate differently in the UK. The UK Film Council, an umbrella group set up in 2000 with twelve regional bodies, (intended to tie together the various parts of the UK film industry) was directly funded by the UK government; privately financed film production companies are unlikely to succeed thanks to domination of the market by American companies. This allows indie companies to gain enough money to finance and distribute their products without having to compete with the 'big six'. Warp Films is funded in this way, specifically by its local regional arms EM Media and Screen Yorkshire. In 2011 the Council was closed down due to budgetary concerns, and most of its role was carried on by the reduced regional arms and the British Film Institute.StudioCanal UK (formerly Optimum Releasing) is a distribution company that has worked with indie and low-budget filmmakers multiple times in the past; it is the main distributor of films made by Warp Films and several other British film companies. Although it is a subsidiary itself, half owned by NBCUniversal, it's role is primarily one of releasing non-Hollywood films, and it has a specialty in UK indies. It would be an ideal distributor for our film if we could secure a deal.
Evaluation Q4 Audiences
Our primary target audience is expected to be teens, long the main viewer of slasher films. To reflect this, most slasher films feature young characters, with adults relegated to a secondary or peripheral role and often portrayed as ineffective in dealing with the threat presented by the killer. Adults are usually parents of the main teens or else local cops (or sometimes both! eg Halloween). Because of this, it is expected that our film will have less of an appeal among older age groups. Either 15 or 18 is the usual rating for slashers due to the high amount of explicit content that makes these films popular with the teenage audience in the first place.
Our secondary target audience is expected to be younger adults, usually 18-25 years. Although our film is not specifically aimed at this audience, unlike the one above, it still can prove popular in this age range due to the levels of both horror and suspense.
The slasher has consistently done very well at the box office, and this is largely because of the 'shock factor' that these films can offer. Despite the often very low budget of some slashers, these have often gone on to be extremely successful; Halloween for example was made on a budget of around $500k. Another factor that does not usually affect slashers is that of stars; many slasher films have used unknown actors that have only subsequently gone on to achieve fame. So our own cheaply made film is following in these footsteps.
Our secondary target audience is expected to be younger adults, usually 18-25 years. Although our film is not specifically aimed at this audience, unlike the one above, it still can prove popular in this age range due to the levels of both horror and suspense.
The slasher has consistently done very well at the box office, and this is largely because of the 'shock factor' that these films can offer. Despite the often very low budget of some slashers, these have often gone on to be extremely successful; Halloween for example was made on a budget of around $500k. Another factor that does not usually affect slashers is that of stars; many slasher films have used unknown actors that have only subsequently gone on to achieve fame. So our own cheaply made film is following in these footsteps.
Evaluation Q5 Attraction/Addression
On the whole, we tried to attract our audience by sticking to the established conventions and stereotypes of the slasher genre. We used recognisable characters such as the scream queen, final girl (an example of Carole Clover's feminist critique and a common slasher feature), and the concept of a masked killer. Our cast was mostly female; this not only attracts a female audience but also a male one if you apply Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory.
We also tried to address our audience through our characters; they're all examples of teenagers and as such would be fairly easily identifiable to our target audience, who would likely be made up of people who act similarly.
We also tried to address our audience through our characters; they're all examples of teenagers and as such would be fairly easily identifiable to our target audience, who would likely be made up of people who act similarly.
Evaluation Q6 Technologies
Over the course of the past year, I have learnt a great deal about the various technologies that are commonly used in media. These range from production software packages, such as Final Cut Pro and Garageband, to online distribution including Scribd and YouTube.
Initially, I thought the software would be incredibly complicated to use and would require a lot of practice to get used to; in actuality it has been only moderately challenging and a few quick tutorials in the basics meant that I was soon ready to go! Final Cut Pro has been used extensively in our company for editing and modifying our slasher, 'Red Christmas', and also in numerous other editing tasks that have been set. Garageband has been used to compose and independent soundtrack to the film, as well as our individual idents and other practice demo tracks.
Both Scribd and YouTube have been used to promote the product; Scribd allowed our pitch to be embedded online and viewable to a wider audience than otherwise, and YouTube was where our teasers, trailers, and finished film could be viewed. This has also allowed us to get feedback on our product, and if necessary, modify it.
We have also set up a Twitter feed, allowing not only instant feedback and opinions on our film, but also in helping to develop it in the first place. It came in very handy in our planning stages as we used it to get in contact with people who may be potentially interested in taking part in the filming; most of our finished cast were recruited using this method.
This blog has also been extremely useful, as it allows all of our various videos, images and other written pieces to be visible in one location. It means that the other members of our group can view and share work that their colleagues have completed, and again it offers a way of gaining instant feedback.
Initially, I thought the software would be incredibly complicated to use and would require a lot of practice to get used to; in actuality it has been only moderately challenging and a few quick tutorials in the basics meant that I was soon ready to go! Final Cut Pro has been used extensively in our company for editing and modifying our slasher, 'Red Christmas', and also in numerous other editing tasks that have been set. Garageband has been used to compose and independent soundtrack to the film, as well as our individual idents and other practice demo tracks.
Both Scribd and YouTube have been used to promote the product; Scribd allowed our pitch to be embedded online and viewable to a wider audience than otherwise, and YouTube was where our teasers, trailers, and finished film could be viewed. This has also allowed us to get feedback on our product, and if necessary, modify it.
We have also set up a Twitter feed, allowing not only instant feedback and opinions on our film, but also in helping to develop it in the first place. It came in very handy in our planning stages as we used it to get in contact with people who may be potentially interested in taking part in the filming; most of our finished cast were recruited using this method.
This blog has also been extremely useful, as it allows all of our various videos, images and other written pieces to be visible in one location. It means that the other members of our group can view and share work that their colleagues have completed, and again it offers a way of gaining instant feedback.
Evaluation Q7 Prelim
In comparison with my original prelim exercise, I think my understanding and application of media studies skills has grown immensely. For starters, I now know a wide range of specialised vocabulary and terminology, as well as how it can be used both generally on my blog and in exam situations. My practical understanding has increased too; the prelim demonstrated a handful of shot types such as match-on-action and the 180 degree rule, but it was also very simplistic and not as accomplished as later exercises. Perhaps most notably, my increase in confidence in the use of certain technology has meant that I am now able to use editing software to create a video, and subsequently allow this video to be seen on my blog.
Friday, 3 May 2013
Red Christmas Teaser Trailer - Re-edit
A slight re-edit of our teaser trailer, the original had a couple of editing issues that have since been amended.
Red Christmas Rough Cut
Our rough cut, here to give you a basic idea of what the finished film will look like. As you can see, there's still a fair amount of footage we need to add, but the final product is already taking shape.
Location shoot TBC
Our location shoot took place in the holidays, when most of the footage for 'Red Christmas' was shot. Previously we had also shot footage earlier in the year for our teaser trailer and to get an idea of where and how the full film would be shot.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Red Christmas Teaser Trailer
Our first trailer for our upcoming slasher, Red Christmas. Further trailers and clips will be available soon, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Sunday, 14 April 2013
BBFC ratings: Brief history
The British Board of Film Classification gives ratings to all released home film and TV products. This is a recommendation that suggests the correct target audience that should watch the film, and provides a guideline so that unsuitable content can be avoided.
U - Classified as being suitable for all ages and features content that is often child-oriented.
PG - Mostly suitable for all ages, but with some potentially unsuitable content, such as frightening scenes or brief swearing. As its name suggests, this is up to the parent to decide who should watch the content.
12 - This is the minimum age for watching this particular product, and often features greater violence or bad language than used in previous classes.
15 - Another minimum age, this category usually features more violent, sexually oriented or explicit content.
18 - The top age category, any item rated this or above usually features the highest level of explicitness and extreme violence.
We plan our film to be rated at a 15 level, due to its levels of violence and related content. However it is much more moderate and not at the level of an 18 rating as we don't have the budget or the time to create that sort of explicitness effectively. Another reason for avoiding high levels of such content would be that it stops half of our target audience from viewing the film. A 15 rating is low enough to enable it to be watched by most teenagers, but high enough to attract the attention of older age groups who may be interested in the genre and content we have to offer them.
U - Classified as being suitable for all ages and features content that is often child-oriented. PG - Mostly suitable for all ages, but with some potentially unsuitable content, such as frightening scenes or brief swearing. As its name suggests, this is up to the parent to decide who should watch the content. 12 - This is the minimum age for watching this particular product, and often features greater violence or bad language than used in previous classes. 15 - Another minimum age, this category usually features more violent, sexually oriented or explicit content. 18 - The top age category, any item rated this or above usually features the highest level of explicitness and extreme violence.We plan our film to be rated at a 15 level, due to its levels of violence and related content. However it is much more moderate and not at the level of an 18 rating as we don't have the budget or the time to create that sort of explicitness effectively. Another reason for avoiding high levels of such content would be that it stops half of our target audience from viewing the film. A 15 rating is low enough to enable it to be watched by most teenagers, but high enough to attract the attention of older age groups who may be interested in the genre and content we have to offer them.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
TD - Presentation Warp vs WT
Bibliography : IMDB
http://www.rottentomatoes.com
The films we have chosen to compare are working titles Les Miserables and Warps Le Donk and scor-zay-zee. These are the binary opposites we are going to compare they have a lot of similarities and differences that we are going to cover briefly.
Production and Background
Les Miserables 2012 Tom Hooper production companies - Universal, Relativity Media and Working Title .these have been used in previous working title films as working title is a subsidiary of universal.
Le donk and scor-zay-zee 2009 Shane Meadows (Both quite contemporary) production companies - Big Arty Productions and Warp Productions these have been previous production companies for previous warp films such as This is England, 24/7 and Donkey Punch.
Budget and implications of this
The budget for Les Mis was $61m this is a high budget film for working title especially for a British film. There are little implications for this as the setting is in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent and untypically France. As it was also filmed in France and is a french story it appeals to other audiences. These locations are very typical for WT as these places are very up market and set in the south we can also see this from previous films such as Bridget Jones and Notting Hill.Where as warp production Le donk score-zay-zee budget was £48k and was filmed in Manchester which is more typical for this low budget indie film. Also many previous warp films have been set here due to the social realist genre and budget. There are implications for this budget as warp is a indie film production company they cant afford the a list stars or famous people in there films. They also couldn't afford the same distributors as working title and marketing making the film less well known.
Distribution and Marketing
The trailer for Les Mis first starts with one of the big 6 ident straight away we recognise this and the stars.
There has been a lot of distribution for this film such as social media, products and things such as the sound track DVD as this is a musical.distribution companies where universal being one of the big 6 there for a lot more recognisable than a low budget indie there fore there is no need for any other distribution companies with working title being a subsidiary of universal.
The sleeve is very different and appeals to a certain audience it is very different to warp as all the stars are featured on the front which grabs audience as everyone in this film is well known. It is also featured in french to appeal to other audience compared to warp DVD cover which is bright with little detail and appeals to a certain market and audience.
This is the trailer for Le donk we straight away can tell this is low budget and not a glamorous Hollywood film due to the documentary footage and the shaky camera.
There has been little distribution for this film because simply it was a low budget film.
the distribution companies were Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Independent Film Channel, Madman Entertainment.
Le donk is has little info on it and you can tell it is warp due to the style and the social realist genre shown via the sleeve. It also says a Shane Meadows film to make director more important and more well known, compared to WT Les Mis cover which is very professionally done to match the genre musical and the seriousness compared to this which is colour full and font. There has not been spoofs as such produced however there has been animations made by director Shane Meadows for comedy. Le donk and scor-zay-zee is a low budget comedy which is typically warps genre.however they do focus on cultural references such as social hierarchy .But like most warp films this film has a strong message like previous films such as 24/7 and a room for romeo brass.
There are many differences between US and UK such as WT have a bigger scale distribution and marketing due to universal being one of the big 6. Where as warp is on a lot smaller scale due to target audience being brits and some american audiences. However Les Mis target audience is a lot wider as there are less cultural references and intertexual references where as warp films focus is on cultural references and intertextuality which is how warp creates comedy.
Critical Reception
IMDB gave ratings for les miserables a 7.9 out of 10 and had very good reviews.
This is one of the reviews from imdb.
from the column of the guardian. Quote by Peter Bradshaw.
this signifies that the content is a positive response and as you read on critics say a film not to be missed.
As the film is a 2012 film the DVD marked price is a lot more than warp films and Le donk due to the year released and distribution,marketing budget and audience. As it is a working title film and has big stars the DVD will also be more because of the success it has had in cinema and over the world.
IMDB gave Le donk and scor -zay-zee 6.2 rating out of 10.
this review is from imdb
Verdict
By Neve Pierce
This is the DVD cover for Le donk and scor-zay-zee warp film. It is expensive for a low budget warp film as you do not expect it to be as much when it was only a 48k film with little marketing and distribution.
Box Office and Other Exhibition Figures
Les Miserables-
http://www.rottentomatoes.com
The films we have chosen to compare are working titles Les Miserables and Warps Le Donk and scor-zay-zee. These are the binary opposites we are going to compare they have a lot of similarities and differences that we are going to cover briefly.
Production and Background
Les Miserables 2012 Tom Hooper production companies - Universal, Relativity Media and Working Title .these have been used in previous working title films as working title is a subsidiary of universal.
Le donk and scor-zay-zee 2009 Shane Meadows (Both quite contemporary) production companies - Big Arty Productions and Warp Productions these have been previous production companies for previous warp films such as This is England, 24/7 and Donkey Punch.
Budget and implications of this
The budget for Les Mis was $61m this is a high budget film for working title especially for a British film. There are little implications for this as the setting is in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent and untypically France. As it was also filmed in France and is a french story it appeals to other audiences. These locations are very typical for WT as these places are very up market and set in the south we can also see this from previous films such as Bridget Jones and Notting Hill.Where as warp production Le donk score-zay-zee budget was £48k and was filmed in Manchester which is more typical for this low budget indie film. Also many previous warp films have been set here due to the social realist genre and budget. There are implications for this budget as warp is a indie film production company they cant afford the a list stars or famous people in there films. They also couldn't afford the same distributors as working title and marketing making the film less well known.
Distribution and Marketing
The trailer for Les Mis first starts with one of the big 6 ident straight away we recognise this and the stars.
There has been a lot of distribution for this film such as social media, products and things such as the sound track DVD as this is a musical.distribution companies where universal being one of the big 6 there for a lot more recognisable than a low budget indie there fore there is no need for any other distribution companies with working title being a subsidiary of universal.
 |
| DVD cover for Les miserables |
The sleeve is very different and appeals to a certain audience it is very different to warp as all the stars are featured on the front which grabs audience as everyone in this film is well known. It is also featured in french to appeal to other audience compared to warp DVD cover which is bright with little detail and appeals to a certain market and audience.
This is the trailer for Le donk we straight away can tell this is low budget and not a glamorous Hollywood film due to the documentary footage and the shaky camera.
There has been little distribution for this film because simply it was a low budget film.
the distribution companies were Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Independent Film Channel, Madman Entertainment.
 |
| DVD cover for le donk and scor -zay-zee |
Le donk is has little info on it and you can tell it is warp due to the style and the social realist genre shown via the sleeve. It also says a Shane Meadows film to make director more important and more well known, compared to WT Les Mis cover which is very professionally done to match the genre musical and the seriousness compared to this which is colour full and font. There has not been spoofs as such produced however there has been animations made by director Shane Meadows for comedy. Le donk and scor-zay-zee is a low budget comedy which is typically warps genre.however they do focus on cultural references such as social hierarchy .But like most warp films this film has a strong message like previous films such as 24/7 and a room for romeo brass.
There are many differences between US and UK such as WT have a bigger scale distribution and marketing due to universal being one of the big 6. Where as warp is on a lot smaller scale due to target audience being brits and some american audiences. However Les Mis target audience is a lot wider as there are less cultural references and intertexual references where as warp films focus is on cultural references and intertextuality which is how warp creates comedy.
Critical Reception
IMDB gave ratings for les miserables a 7.9 out of 10 and had very good reviews.
This is one of the reviews from imdb.
User Reviews
from the column of the guardian. Quote by Peter Bradshaw.
this signifies that the content is a positive response and as you read on critics say a film not to be missed.
As the film is a 2012 film the DVD marked price is a lot more than warp films and Le donk due to the year released and distribution,marketing budget and audience. As it is a working title film and has big stars the DVD will also be more because of the success it has had in cinema and over the world.
 |
| Screen shot off amazon |
IMDB gave Le donk and scor -zay-zee 6.2 rating out of 10.
this review is from imdb
User Reviews
Le Donk
Shane Meadows has earned an incomparable amount of slack over the course of his 13 year career, and although this takes an even bigger cut than last year's well observed but insubstantial Somers Town, its an enjoyable watch.
And although real life Nottingham rapper Scorzayzee gets top billing, this is basically the Paddy Considine show, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Its dramatically underpowered and about as edgy as an episode of Last Of The Summer Wine, but its short and peppy and there are quite a few laughs in it.
But no 71 minute film should really be allowed to have four heedless musical montages in it.
And I'd have been monumentally p*ssed off if I'd have paid to see it in a cinema.
And although real life Nottingham rapper Scorzayzee gets top billing, this is basically the Paddy Considine show, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Its dramatically underpowered and about as edgy as an episode of Last Of The Summer Wine, but its short and peppy and there are quite a few laughs in it.
But no 71 minute film should really be allowed to have four heedless musical montages in it.
And I'd have been monumentally p*ssed off if I'd have paid to see it in a cinema.
Rotten tomatoes gave it a rating 82% out of 100% and audience it 68%.
Empire gave it 4 out of 5 stars and a gave a great review.
Verdict
Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee, Scorsese & De Niro, Torvill & Dean, Considine & Meadows… A monumental mockumentary from Brit cinema’s premier director/actor double act. True, daft, emotional, hilarious.
By Neve Pierce
This is the DVD cover for Le donk and scor-zay-zee warp film. It is expensive for a low budget warp film as you do not expect it to be as much when it was only a 48k film with little marketing and distribution.
Box Office and Other Exhibition Figures
Les Miserables-
Opening Weekend
$28,027,000 (USA) (30 December 2012) (2,808 Screens)
BOX OFFICE FIGURES
Le donk and scor-zay- zee- There were no details on imdb of box office figures.
Media Language, Genre and audience
genre of Les Mis is a drama, musical romance compared to Le donk being a comedy. These are binary opposites and appeal to complete different audiences. Le donk appeals to british public as they are recognised in britain rather than world wide. The target audience is teens and above as it is a 15 rating. There is intertextual touches therefore will be appealing the audience that like director or the social realist genre. Where as Les Mis focuses on a wide range of audiences as it is a musical however mainly the older audience due to it been hard to understand where as Le donk would be more appealing to the younger audience due to it been a comedy.
Media Language how British ?
WT LES MIS -
working title is a british film production company however as it is a subsidiary of universal it has a lot of american influences and is distributed widely due to universal being one of the big 6. However as working title is a british company it would not be able to afford the the stars used in Les mis such as Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.
W LE DONK-
warp is a typical british company due to the low budget and small scale distribution. It also doesn't have stars or well known actors in it. As it is low budget it also doesn't contain high class setting such as in previous working title films. It is very british film due to the indie film company and the distributors compared to wt who's distributors are one of the big six making wt not as british as it seems.
A typical Warp or Working title Film ?
Les Mis- this is not the typical working title film as they have never done and musical and usually stick to the comedy romance being Notting Hill and Bridget Jones, 4 Weddings and a Funeral; these all focus on the south England that make at appealing to Americans and the world where as Les Mis a serious story about the French Revolution where as the previous films are funny and stars the typical rom-com characters.
Le donk- this is a typical film for warp as it is low budget and focuses on the social realist genre creating comedy through cultural references, it also filmed in a run down environment like in This is England, A Room for Romeo Brass and Four Lions however all have a strong meaning or story behind it, in this way it similar to Les Miserables.
Summary
As a UK audience we really enjoyed Les Mis and thought it was really well done however it can only appeal to a certain audience as it is a particular genre. Where as Le donk is very well done as well for a low budget film and sticks with the same genre as previous films the social realist genre this also creates comedy through cultural references there for maybe more funny for british audience.
Le donk and scor-zay- zee- There were no details on imdb of box office figures.
Media Language, Genre and audience
genre of Les Mis is a drama, musical romance compared to Le donk being a comedy. These are binary opposites and appeal to complete different audiences. Le donk appeals to british public as they are recognised in britain rather than world wide. The target audience is teens and above as it is a 15 rating. There is intertextual touches therefore will be appealing the audience that like director or the social realist genre. Where as Les Mis focuses on a wide range of audiences as it is a musical however mainly the older audience due to it been hard to understand where as Le donk would be more appealing to the younger audience due to it been a comedy.
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| Opening of Le donk, shaky camera documentary style to show low budget social realist genre similar style This is England and Four Lions. |
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| More glamorous Hollywood movie we can tell by the shot and camera type it is also long takes and stars Anne Hathaway who we see in this screen shot. |
Media Language how British ?
WT LES MIS -
working title is a british film production company however as it is a subsidiary of universal it has a lot of american influences and is distributed widely due to universal being one of the big 6. However as working title is a british company it would not be able to afford the the stars used in Les mis such as Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe.
W LE DONK-
warp is a typical british company due to the low budget and small scale distribution. It also doesn't have stars or well known actors in it. As it is low budget it also doesn't contain high class setting such as in previous working title films. It is very british film due to the indie film company and the distributors compared to wt who's distributors are one of the big six making wt not as british as it seems.
A typical Warp or Working title Film ?
Les Mis- this is not the typical working title film as they have never done and musical and usually stick to the comedy romance being Notting Hill and Bridget Jones, 4 Weddings and a Funeral; these all focus on the south England that make at appealing to Americans and the world where as Les Mis a serious story about the French Revolution where as the previous films are funny and stars the typical rom-com characters.
Le donk- this is a typical film for warp as it is low budget and focuses on the social realist genre creating comedy through cultural references, it also filmed in a run down environment like in This is England, A Room for Romeo Brass and Four Lions however all have a strong meaning or story behind it, in this way it similar to Les Miserables.
Summary
As a UK audience we really enjoyed Les Mis and thought it was really well done however it can only appeal to a certain audience as it is a particular genre. Where as Le donk is very well done as well for a low budget film and sticks with the same genre as previous films the social realist genre this also creates comedy through cultural references there for maybe more funny for british audience.
Monday, 11 March 2013
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
HR - The Big 6 and Integration
The big 6 are the 6 dominant hollywood film companies which also dominate global cinema.
A company which is owned by another company is called a subsidiary, for example Working Title is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal. A conglomerate is the word used for describing a company which owns other companies, for example NBCUniversal and 20th Century Fox.
A company which is owned by another company is called a subsidiary, for example Working Title is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal. A conglomerate is the word used for describing a company which owns other companies, for example NBCUniversal and 20th Century Fox.
Some people are referring to Lions Gate Entertainment as the seventh conglomerate, and therefore referring to the big 6 as the 'big 7' instead.
There are two types of intergration:
1. Vertical integration- this is when one conglomerate is able to control all 3 stages of the film business, the 3 stages are production, distribution and exhibition.
There are two types of intergration:
1. Vertical integration- this is when one conglomerate is able to control all 3 stages of the film business, the 3 stages are production, distribution and exhibition.
2. Horizontal integration- subsidiaries from the same industry which mutually benefit each other, within one conglomerate. For example Avatar is produced by 20th Century Fox, the marketing of the film benefited from the advertisement of The Sun newspaper as they both come from the same conglomerate [News Corporation]
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Thursday, 31 January 2013
SlasherEG4: Cherry Falls
(2000) Geoffrey Wright
PRODUCED BY: Fresh Produce Company, Industry Entertainment, Rogue Pictures
DISTRIBUTED BY: USA Films (US), Entertainment Film Distributors (UK) (full list)
BUDGET: $14m
RATINGS: IMDB 4.8
MY RATING:
WIKI, OFFICIAL SITE
Friday, 25 January 2013
Assessing past coursework
Tiny Terror:
Initial titles based upon those used for 'Scream' (1996) Wes Craven.
Soundtrack includes long, drawn out notes that are commonly used in slasher films. Opening shots have connotations of a POV shot as the camera is positioned looking through hanging branches. A slight wobble further suggests that someone is watching the main character. This then leads into a false scare, as the POV character turns out to be known to the main character.
An ellipses acts as a bridge between the outdoor scene and the bedroom, fading to black in the space between. There is some use of exposition in dialogue. Short shots of a box opening very gently and a bra later being tossed over it to suggest sexual activity.
An example of a good technique used is to place the camera in a cupboard or other space that can help break up shots and provide more coverage. Tension isn't quite used effectively here, due to a couple of misplaced ellipses.
More over the shoulder shots are used to show the killer doll, as well as several cut away shots and use of the doll's giggling, established in an earlier scene.
Underground:
After first shot, titles come in using white font on black background, signifying realism. First character introduced is carrying a bottle of beer in his hand, immediately suggesting his vulnerability. A brief POV shot helps to confirm his drunken state, and afterwards a shot from just off the path suggests another figure watching.
The following scene in which the character collapses is not as effective, as it lacks any diagetic sound which would connote an attack. There is a much more successful example of narrative enigma straight away though, as we only see the figure dragging the first character away from the legs down, and we have nothing to anchor ourselves with.
The scenes set in the underground room are introduced with a shot that suggests a CCTV camera, before we see multiple shots of the character chained to a pipe.
Red Run:
Opening titles are animated and matched to a sequence of a kettle being filled and turned on. There is a lack of diagetic sound that is a problem; it breaks the verisimilatude.
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Points on the slasher genre
Music heavily influences the fear factor in slasher films, as it effectively increases the tension.
15-24 is the age range commonly targeted by slasher films, as it's considered the ages people are most interested in the features offered by slashers; explicit violence and sex. People of this age group can also be genre fans, and can be drawn in by intertextual references to other films. The secondary target audience includes both younger and older ages, including some in the 24-34 age range, as well as some aged 15 and below. But it's the 15-24 range that remains the most popular, making up around three quarters of the audience figures. Older adults are often useless authority figures, and a common character is a sheriff, usually the parent of one of the teen characters.
Halloween is an exception to Todorov's rule of equilibrium, as it ends with the state of disequalibrium maintainted, with the sequel continuing immediately on from the first film.
The false scare partially demonstrates hybridity as it usually creates comedy by causing the audience to laugh. The cat scare is a common example of a false scare, as is the backwards walk.
20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. are both examples of high-budget production companies, while an indie company such as Warp Films is low-budgeted.
The final girl, a term created by Carol Clover in her book 'Men, Women and Chainsaws', that suggests that viewers initially share the perspective of the killer, before shifting to the final girl towards the end of the film.
15-24 is the age range commonly targeted by slasher films, as it's considered the ages people are most interested in the features offered by slashers; explicit violence and sex. People of this age group can also be genre fans, and can be drawn in by intertextual references to other films. The secondary target audience includes both younger and older ages, including some in the 24-34 age range, as well as some aged 15 and below. But it's the 15-24 range that remains the most popular, making up around three quarters of the audience figures. Older adults are often useless authority figures, and a common character is a sheriff, usually the parent of one of the teen characters.
Halloween is an exception to Todorov's rule of equilibrium, as it ends with the state of disequalibrium maintainted, with the sequel continuing immediately on from the first film.
The false scare partially demonstrates hybridity as it usually creates comedy by causing the audience to laugh. The cat scare is a common example of a false scare, as is the backwards walk.
20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. are both examples of high-budget production companies, while an indie company such as Warp Films is low-budgeted.
The final girl, a term created by Carol Clover in her book 'Men, Women and Chainsaws', that suggests that viewers initially share the perspective of the killer, before shifting to the final girl towards the end of the film.
Slasher films history (continued)
In the 50's and 60's, horror cinema was either gothic or creature-features, involving monsters and other villains. Universal produced films such as 'King Kong' and 'Godzilla'. Hammer studios made films revolving around characters such as 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein's monster'.
The main characters were mature adults, usually upper-class. It was the switch to working and middle-class, and younger characters in later horror/slasher films that marked a great change in how the films worked. These older films often look more theatrical and stagey, whereas later films featured a greater use of more 'realistic' settings.
Although a couple of the earliest slasher films, 'Psycho' and 'Peeping Tom' came out in 1960, fears over the violence in them led to the major studios to not dare releasing any imitators. It took the success of 'Halloween' and others a decade later for the sub-genre to really get going.
The main characters were mature adults, usually upper-class. It was the switch to working and middle-class, and younger characters in later horror/slasher films that marked a great change in how the films worked. These older films often look more theatrical and stagey, whereas later films featured a greater use of more 'realistic' settings.
Although a couple of the earliest slasher films, 'Psycho' and 'Peeping Tom' came out in 1960, fears over the violence in them led to the major studios to not dare releasing any imitators. It took the success of 'Halloween' and others a decade later for the sub-genre to really get going.
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Slasher films history vodcasts
Millie, Kate and Poppy:
Psycho - archetypal slasher film; an early, highly influential film, introducing a scream queen and a masked, sexually confused killer
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Introduction of more realistic violence, and feature gore and nudity. Along with Last House on the Left, was made on a very low budget, featuring first-time directors and actors
Black Christmas (1974)
Action takes place in one location, a single house. This was a way of keeping the budget down, but challenges the director to keep the film interesting.
All three of the above films have had remakes and/or sequels. Introduction of using a camera to show the killer's point of view - thought to be made in Halloween, but actually introduced in earlier films such as Peeping Tom.
Halloween (1978)
Relies on tension and scares than extreme violence and gore. Launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis who went on to stare in several other slasher films influenced by these films, such as Prom Night and Terror Train.
Friday the 13th (1980)
Spawned a massive franchise that continues to this day, with several sequels and a pair of modern remakes. Initially set around the murder of teenage campers at an abandoned summer camp.
Final girl theory suggests that the female lead has some androgynous characteristics, such as a unisex name and later trates of mausculinity. They are often more academic and resist the temptation of vices, unlike other characters, and are often virginial.
Long notes subconsciously encourage the audience to hold their breath; faster notes interfere with their heartbeat and cause it to beat faster. This combines to form physiological effects on their body, causing psychological feelings, making the audience feel more involved in the action, often tense and on the edge of their seats.
Peeping Tom (1960) Director: Michael Powell
An example of a proto-slasher
Psycho (1960) Director: Alfred Hitchcock
A who-dunnit, keeps the killer's identity a mystery
Later films introduce supernatural elements, in Halloween Jason is unhuman and seemingly industructible. Friday the 13th also makes its killer unhuman, and Nightmare on Elm Street plays with this idea by making its killer only effective in people's dreams, as he doesn't exist in the real world.
Later slashers featured hybridity, combining the genre with other genres, creating such things as a slasher-comedy. Sequels and the building of franchises continued throughout the decade.
The 90's introduced the post-modern slasher, which includes self-referentiality and intertextual links, as well as self-aware characters.
Psycho - archetypal slasher film; an early, highly influential film, introducing a scream queen and a masked, sexually confused killer
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Introduction of more realistic violence, and feature gore and nudity. Along with Last House on the Left, was made on a very low budget, featuring first-time directors and actors
Black Christmas (1974)
Action takes place in one location, a single house. This was a way of keeping the budget down, but challenges the director to keep the film interesting.
All three of the above films have had remakes and/or sequels. Introduction of using a camera to show the killer's point of view - thought to be made in Halloween, but actually introduced in earlier films such as Peeping Tom.
Halloween (1978)
Relies on tension and scares than extreme violence and gore. Launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis who went on to stare in several other slasher films influenced by these films, such as Prom Night and Terror Train.
Friday the 13th (1980)
Spawned a massive franchise that continues to this day, with several sequels and a pair of modern remakes. Initially set around the murder of teenage campers at an abandoned summer camp.
Final girl theory suggests that the female lead has some androgynous characteristics, such as a unisex name and later trates of mausculinity. They are often more academic and resist the temptation of vices, unlike other characters, and are often virginial.
Long notes subconsciously encourage the audience to hold their breath; faster notes interfere with their heartbeat and cause it to beat faster. This combines to form physiological effects on their body, causing psychological feelings, making the audience feel more involved in the action, often tense and on the edge of their seats.
Peeping Tom (1960) Director: Michael Powell
An example of a proto-slasher
Psycho (1960) Director: Alfred Hitchcock
A who-dunnit, keeps the killer's identity a mystery
Later films introduce supernatural elements, in Halloween Jason is unhuman and seemingly industructible. Friday the 13th also makes its killer unhuman, and Nightmare on Elm Street plays with this idea by making its killer only effective in people's dreams, as he doesn't exist in the real world.
Later slashers featured hybridity, combining the genre with other genres, creating such things as a slasher-comedy. Sequels and the building of franchises continued throughout the decade.
The 90's introduced the post-modern slasher, which includes self-referentiality and intertextual links, as well as self-aware characters.
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Hooper's idea to have the actors sing live really brings a deeper emotion to the film not seen in other movie musicals. Hugh Jackman is absolutely incredible as Jean Valjean and carries the film with spectacular grace. Anne Hathaway is magnificent in her fleeting role as Fantine - the film's sequence in which she goes on a downward spiral is one of the it's best moments, and her ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE HEARTFELT rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream' will win her the Oscar by itself.
Also, a great supporting turn from newcomer Samantha Barks as the heartbroken Eponine (look out for her waist - it's absolutely tiny!), who is sure to be shot into stardom. Eddie Redmayne, Russell Crowe and Aaron Tveit are also good, and there's some great comedy relief from Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen.
It will leave you laughing, crying, and feeling inspired. A great watch, sure to win some major awards this year! 10/10!