Digital Distribution

What I Need

Homework

What films are being shown?
21 and Over- Independent
All Stars- Independent
Andre Rieu's 2013 Maastricht Concert- Special
Berlin Philharmonic: Midsummer Night's Dreams- Special
Chimpanzee- Mainstream/Special
Dead Man Down- Mainstream
Cinderella- Special
Epic- Mainstream
Evil Dead- Independent
Exhibition- Much 150: Special
Exhibition Vemeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure- Special
Fast and Furious 6- Mainstream
Iron Man 3- Mainstream
Judas Preist Epitaph- Special
Man of Steel- Mainstream
National Theatre Live: The Audience- Special
Oblivion- Mainstream
Olympus has Fallen- Independent
Opera in Cinema: Royal Opera House's "Macbeth"- Special
Opera in Cinema: Royal Opera House's "Rigoletto"- Special
Pompeii Live from the British Museum (live via Satellite)- Special
Rockshow: Wings Over America- Special
Royal Opera House's La Fille mal gardee LIVE- Special
Shakespeare's Global Theatre- Special
Star Trek Into Darkness- Mainstream
Swan Lake Live- Special
The Big Wedding- Mainstream
The Croods- Mainstream
The Great Gatsby- Mainstream
The Look of Love- Independent
The Place Beyond the Pines- Mainstream
The Royal Ballet- Special
The Royal Opera House- Special
The Stone Roses: Made of Stone- Special

The cinema does give a diverse range of films and events shown, but there seems to be more special events than actual films.

I believe that the impact of Digital Screen Network and Digital Distribution has been a rather significant  to independent film companies and special events as it has given them the chance to be shown to a wider audience this could also mean that people would look into them more and watch more of there stuff. It could be having a negative effect of the mainstream films though, as there is now a wider variety of films being shown people may stop watching mainstream films and look more into special events and independent films.

Mock

To What Extent Does Film Piracy Pose A Threat to the Film Industry:

 I believe this statement to be true but only to a certain extent, I believe that it will affect the major hollywood companies a lot more than smaller Independent as they have a smaller budget so they don't have to make as much back, sometimes they release there film straight to DVD too so they can make there money back faster and easier as people can buy them to watch at home.

 With the constant development in Technology the threat of piracy in the film industry is ever growing, places like Mega Upload (now closed down) allowed people to stream and and download for free when they want where they want. This means that people don't got to the cinema as much as they can watch films before there official release online. This factor would heavily affect the film Industry as it means that they are not getting as much money which forces them to make films in 3D to get a larger income as it is harder to pirate, but not all of the audience likes 3D film.

 As it is very easy to watch films now people become desensitised to things like gore and horror but have a growing desire for better more interesting story lines, but due to piracy the big budget hollywood films are focusing more on visuals than story so people aren't watching them as often or watching them illegally. People begin to find that these smaller budget Independent films have a lot more of a story line and are more engaging so they watch these more which is boosting profits for these smaller companies and directors as people will recommend them to there friends.

 With piracy growing the Hollywood directors are less focused on there films as they are in need to make profits so they re vamp old film franchises, or continue existing ones as they already have a garnered audience. They also do films classed as 'Geri-Action' which means they bring back actors who typically or are well know for playing action characters as people will come to watch them. This means that they will get a larger income as everyone body already recognises and knows the franchise on films and we will watch them even though they are probably going to be twice as bad as they previous one.

 The Film industry has been in a similar situation before when TV'S and VCR were released. I believe that for the film industry to survive they must adapt to the audience and what they want. Instead of focusing on the visuals go back to the story line that people got attached to and went back to watch or recommended it to friends. With the modern day audience more up to date with technology the major Hollywood companies could take a leaf out of the books of Independent Films and release the films on all platforms at the same time and let the audience choose when to watch which has proved very popular for some films.

 

Mock Exam

 “Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies.” Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s

 I believe this statement to be true as as with the development in new technologies (the development of VCR) it meant people where able to get a hold of many uncensored which where way to graphic and violent for younger audiences, sometimes they where deemed to bad for anyone to view which led to these films becoming banned in the UK, it also allowed people to watch pirated films at home for free. Censorship really came into effect when the conservatives came in to power and they played of it using it as scape goats for mistakes made. They also wanted to control what we watched turning England into a 'Nanny State'.

 With the development of home video and VCR people didn't want to go out and pay a lot to watch a film when they could get a cheaper pirated film and watch it in the comfort of the own home, it became fashionable to stay at home and do this as everyone else did and you didn't want to feel left out it was also way more sociable. This then lead to something called Format Wars which was basically VHS vs Betamax, which VHS won due to the fact that it was easy to copy and you could have longer recordings even though Betamax was better quality. With the rise of censorship piracy counteracted it by still making banned films available through pirated copies.

 Video nasties where films that didn't go to cinema's and where just shipped out on video cassettes this made them available to anyone and they where uncensored. Video Nasties where basically very gory graphic horror films (for example 'Evil Dead') the government did not like these as there was no way for them to get a hold of these to censor and stop people for watching. Although these films weren't necessarily every body's favourite and many people didn't like them, they watched as there's a certain degree of interest to them as although they had excessive gore people were drawn to it as it was something new that they hadn't seen something they could talk about to friends about which made them spread and become so popular.

There was a degree of moral panic that came around from these 'Video Nasties' mainly form parents and the government, this was because parents did not want there children watching such gruesome and potentially terrifying films that could mentally affect them, you then had the government worrying about the affect on society it could have whether people could take things from the films seriously and try to re-create this and as I have already mentioned at the start the fact that the Conservative party used it as scape goats.  

 In my opinion I believe that the main reason for film censorship has got little to do about the audience themselves but more about the industry and the fear of them being outdated. If 'Video Nasties' had not been banned back in the 1980's I believe everything would have still ended up as it is today as people become more desensitised to them, although some people do not like them its there decision whether to watch them or not. I believe that all this action was taken then for the same reason it is now to try and prevent piracy. Piracy affects the industry a lot and eventually us as film prices must go up. The film industry must understand that we are in times where technology is developing fast and they must adapt to fit the needs of a new age consumer who wouldn't think twice about piracy and we will see another rise of cinema attendance.
   

Mock Exam Question- 15 minuets

With the rise of the Multiplex it saw a huge decline in 'fleapits' which are little one screen cinemas they often now show independent films that don't get into the Multiplexes. This is because the new big budget Summer Blockbusters where being released and the film companies would rather distribute them to the Multiplexes as they had more screens in which they could show the same film in multiple screens at the same time to maximise profits. The Multiplexes would have better sound quality, comfier seating and the screen was not obstructed in any way all seats had a clear view if the screen. As well as that there was also places to get food and snacks within the Multiplexes and it became more convenient to go to a Multiplex, as they became more popular and more people went to it the Fleapits became less popular this meant that they didn't get good profits and the film companies did not want to give them the new blockbusters as they knew they would not get as much profit back as if they gave it to a Multiplex, this then lead to many of the Fleapits closing down.

Task 1

Question 8: Describe the Rise of the Cineplex and the Resulting Changes to Film Distribution

 The Cineplex began with trending films like 'The Buddy Film', 'The Vigilante Film' and 'The Disaster Film'. During the mid 70's they became less popular and began to be replaced by Slapstick Comedies, Slasher Films, Space Operas, Youth Films and also remakes. One of the more popular films from that time 'Jaws' thought to be the first summer blockbuster was a prime example of this new era of filmmaking. The Film Industry began started to relate new films to popular TV Shows as that way they knew they had a guarantied audience, they wanted films that touched upon traditional values. One major problem that has affected the Film Industry is piracy and the internet as instead of paying for films people would rather find it online and download it, as a result they are having to make ticket prices more expensive to make sure that they make a profit, and they also begin branching out to find new audiences that have maybe been brushed over in the past to appeal to and to also start breaking the conventions of current genres to make them interesting again.

Question 9: Discuss the Phenomenon as a Contributing Factor in the Rise of the Blockbuster

 A Factor that has heavily contributes to films especially in the 21st Century is CGI. This is because films started to become bland and predictable all having the same sort of storyline, for example Slasher Films, the way that the Film Industry have adapted to it was focusing less on the storyline itself and more on the visuals (CGI, 3D and Stars) audiences now go to see a film if there favourite actor is in it regardless of wether they think it is going to be good or not and they are distracted from the poor story lines by all the fancy expensive CGI happening in inappropriate places half the time. One good example of Star driven films in The Expendables the majority of the cast are getting on know and should probably have retired from Action Films, but they havent as they are such big names to the genre and people will go to see their films regardless of their age, this has created a new sub-genre called the Geri-Action Film.

Script

Revision Points

To what extent does V & CoM conform to film stereotypes and what messages are behind these representations?

 I believe that both V for Vendetta and Children of Men challenge some of the film stereotypes I have looked at. One thing that is really quite challenged by V for Vendetta is the stereotype of men act women appear, were as I would say to some extent it is shown in Children of Men. I will be explaining some of these in more detail.

 I believe that V for Vendetta challenges the stereotype of Men act, Women appear. Although at the start they are seen more as a object and in one seen in particular it is very apparent, it is the scene where she visits the pope all 'dolled up'. It then goes against it when it becomes up to Eve to launch the train and take control which means she 'acts'. This very different in Children of Men, one part in particular where they leave the building in the middle of the war zone and all the gun fire stops, although Theo is being 'cowardly' and hiding behind the child he is leading and Kee is just following 'appearing'. This stereotype also fits in with the Sex Object, so although V challenges it in some parts it reinforces the Sex Object, as i mentioned before when Eve visits the pope she comes across as more of a Sex Object. There is no one in Children of Men that could really comes across as a Sex Object.

 Both V for Vendetta and Children of Men conform to the stereotype of the Final Girl. In V for Vendetta she stays alive and rises up and launches the train. In Children of Men, Kee is also a sole survivor and it becomes solely down to her to protect her new born child after the death of Theo at the end of the film. Its only really a relevant stereotype in V for Vendetta and Eve actually goes on to do something where as in Children of Men you are left looking at her in a boat.

 There isn't really a Action Hero in either film, V dosen't conform to you typical hero although he is quite hypermasculated with his super strength he is not a hero as the deeds he does are stuff you would not associate with a hero. Theo doesn't conform to it either as in some parts of the films he is show as weak and cowardly, as i said before when he was hiding behind the baby to protect himself.

 There is a lot of Phallic and Yonic in both of the films, in V for Vendetta on scene in particular you could look into would be in the end scene where the train is launched with V dead inside of it, the tunnel is Yonic imagery which could symbolise the re-birth of V in Eve, as Eve really changes towards the end of the film, she loses her fear through V. You could also look into Yonic imagery and re-birth in Children of Men, when Theo runs onto the street he goes through a tunnel, after this point he really steps up and takes control. Therefore you could look into that bit as the re-birth of Theo.

 To conclude both films challenge and reinforce the stereotypes as much as the other. I think one of the messages that V for Vendetta and Children of Men is trying to put across is that women aren't just there to be looked at, they actually can act in the films and have as big roles as the males. I think this is shown in V for Vendetta where she becomes stripped of her fear and steps up and starts the uprising and in Children of Men where she carry's the baby throughout without her they are powerless.

Feedback for My Screen Play

How it communicates MACRO?
 The way my script communicates the MACRO is more through the use of actions. This is because a Vampire comes out into the light and isn't damaged by it, the dialogue does lead up to it with them talking about how they are safe in the light.

How it shows relationship of Characters?
 At one point in my script they see a women injured by a tree and they work together to get her out, by carrying her and into the light. This shows that they are able to work well together and they can communicate well.

How real is it?
 The dialogue I used was real and didn't sound out of place, one thing i need to improve on is the relationship between the mother and son.

Does it move the story on?
 The script does move the story on as it gets you asking questions and the characters startled and wanting to know what just happened.


 One thing I need to improve on is showing the relationship between the mother and the son as when i got feedback people said it wasn't clear enough. I will do this by making her sound more caring and nurturing towards him.

My Sequel

Location Report

These are photos of the locations I would use for my film. I have chosen them as I believe they would be appropriate for my story as it is quite open and un-populated, also I can relate it to my Thesis Statement in my Textual Analysis that conventions have to change. The location is quite a big thing in mine as in Stakeland they say at one point that the Vampires stay away from cold places and the fact that in my sequel at this part they have just been attacked in daylight breaks the conventions in two ways, one being its snowy making it cold and two being daylight.

The image on the right is where they find the scientist and the image on the left is the opening to the field.

The image on the left is of the opening and the image on the right is of an area of the woods in which you would see the group running.

This is a shot I could put in at the end of the scene of a abandoned town they try to head to for safety.  

Children of Men and V for Vendetta Analysis

Elevator Pitch

This is my Elevator Pitch to Grace.

How do the Films I Have Studied Relate to the Concept of Genre and Narrative

 The films I have been studying are V for Vendetta and Children of Men. Both of the films seem to follow your classical hollywood narrative, although in both the main character dies it still ends on a positive (to some extent) resolution as there sacrifice has not been in vein. The genre of the two films however is slightly more complicated.

 The films V for Vendetta and Children of men both have something this is that they both do not conform to one main Genre. They are both what is called a Hybrid Genre which is a cross between two genres for example a Rom Com is a Romantic Comedy. The films Children of Men and V for Vendetta are a cross between Thrillers and Sci-fi. Although they are a cross between the two this doesn't mean they strictly follow the rules of both Genres this means that although it is also a Sci-Fi it does not mean that there is going to be laser guns or space ships or set in space. There are much more suttle things for example in Children of men it is the use of technology as it s every were for example there are TV screens on the sides of busses and it is set in the future. In V for Vendetta the film is also set in the future and something not so suttle would be the fact that V has 'super powers'.

 Both films display cause and effect, this is when an event occurs which causes someone to retaliate to it. The film Children of Men is set in a future where everyone is infertile and the youngest person becomes a celebrity, this changed when Theo's ex Julian comes to him asking for help to take the first child in 18 years he reluctantly agree's and they leave. While they are traveling they get ambushed and Julian gets shot and she dies, this is the 'cause' part as then Theo really takes control and really wants to get Kee to safety which is the 'effect' part. In the film V for Vendetta there are a few cause and effects but one of them becomes aware to you later on in the film, the 'cause' in the film is they experimented on V which gives him super human abilities he then sets out to get revenge on them by killing them and then destroying parliament, this being the 'effect'.

 The film V for Vendetta is very character driven as every event leads on to another. For example if Eve did not go out at the start of the film she would of never encountered the Finger men and or V, this would also mean that she would not of lost fear and the uprising could not be completed as V would of died and no one would of been there to complete his work. Personally I believe that V's motives wasn't solely meant to benefit everyone but instead to get his revenge on the people that created him, so although in the end it does benefit everyone it could not of happened unless V went out and started it. In Children of Men the film is quite character driven as well for example if Julian didn't ask Theo to help he would of spent the rest of the film sitting round in a office and if Julian didn't die he wouldn't of been motivated enough to see the task through in my opinion.

 In the films Children of Men there is not a very clear opposition and conflict, when I say clear I mean one main opposition as there are many different groups that are a potential threat to Theo and Kee throughout. This is much different to V for Vendetta as it is mainly V against Norsefire, good v evil which you class as a typical hollywood narrative, it also ties in with cause and effect as the Evil (Norsefire) done something making Good (V) retaliate.

 Both films follow a typical 3 act structure which is a Beginning a Middle and an End. The beginning or Equilibrium is a event that occurs which causes someone to react, in Children of Men the youngest person dies causing Kee to become important and in V for Vendetta Eve gets attacked by the Finger men and V saves her. The middle or Disruption in Children of Men is when Juilan dies and it falls down to Theo to get Kee to safety on his own and in V for Vendetta when V tortures Eve and strips her of her fear. Finally the End or Resolution in Children of Men Theo gets Kee to 'safety' and in V for Vendetta V's uprising is complete, unfortunately in both cases the Hero died (Theo and V) but that is a stereotypical convention of a Hero that they are willing to lay there lives on the line. You could say that there is a sense of closure in V for Vendetta but in Children of Men you never know wether Kee is actually safe or not as you do not find out if the Boat was actually there to rescue or capture them.

 To conclude I believe that the film V for Vendetta would conform more to your typical Hollywood Narrative purely based upon how the film ended, this is because it had a very clear resolution compared to Children of Men which left a couple of loose ends untied which could lead the film on to a sequel. Although in the types of Genre they are you would not expect the main character to die they have to change the typical conventions as they become predictable and unenjoyable to watch, this is also were the idea of Hybrid genres came from.