1) Nowadays the main character of the film you will notice will make a huge impact to the final result of the film. The higher the status of the actor the more decisions they will make on what they are prepared to do in the film; sometimes this may make the director feel inferior and unable to have their say at times.
2) The most recent film that I have seen is 'The Pursuit of Happyness' produced by a few people but one of them being Will Smith. He is an actor, rapper, film producer, record producer and television producer, he has been working since 1985 and is still continuing to make an appearance in very successful films today. He has starred in many winning films such as 'Seven Pounds', 'Hancock', 'I Am Legend', 'Hitch' and many more; looking at his film-biography he has approximately been in one film each year.
3) The films that tend to be such a huge success when they come out are films that are well planned and have such a gripping story line. Most recent horrors that have been released have been a waste of the audience's time, because they try to hard to purely scare you rather than create a story line to catch you. This is where many films go wrong, the occasional jump or fear in a film is going to leave the viewer disappointed. Films like 'AVATAR' that has so much thought and detail put into it will really pay off and engage the viewer much better. Thinking up something so different and bizarre will make the film unique, this will attract more people as I couldn't think of another film that comes anywhere close to 'AVATAR' in terms of exclusiveness.
4) The genre's that seem to be popular at present are chick flick type films and although 3D isn't a genre; it is attracting more people to the big screen to view the film through glasses that will make you feel as if you are involved in the film yourself.
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Tuesday 20 April 2010
Thursday 11 February 2010
Hollywood Case Study - Focus Questions
My Sisters Keeper (2009)
Pre Production and Production-
My Sisters Keeper is a film is a 2004 novel written by Jodi Picoult, the film hit the cinema's on June 26th 2009. The main characters in the film are a close family, Mum, Dad and two daughters. One of the daughters Kate is born with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, there is no way that she can stay alive without a doner that will be able to give her what she needs throughout her life. The other daughter Anna was conceived by in vitro fertilization to become a donor; the medical procedures started when she was only 5 years old to donate to her sister.
The budget for the film was $30 million, and the worldwide gross revenue amounted to $78,771,734. I found the overall total of the gross revenue very shocking, it was a very heart warming, beautiful film and I honestly don't know why that's all they managed to make worldwide especially being an American film. The production companies involved in this film are New Line Cinema, Mark Johnson Productions and Curmudgeon Films. I wouldn't say it is based on a very popular genre as you very rarely come across a film that leaves you feeling so distraught, I also wouldn't actually say that I've ever seen a film quite like it or which had a similar storyline.
I feel the use of the music in the film is so cleverly selected and adds to the emotions built up and felt by the audience. The music used at the very beginning of the film starts off revealing her feelings and how she is quite happy, but then as the song choice goes on they become more sad which reflects her feelings as well as her families. Later on and nearer towards the end of the film where the scrap book scene is I felt it so emotional everything that was written inside it, their whole journey together and all the pictures of the fun days out and comments. With the music in the background to this it really makes you empathise and you can't help but to get emotionally involved, and for me that was one of the best parts of the film.
Distribution-
Distribution company - New Line Cinema
Budget - $30 million
Marketing - posters, trailers, internet and television advertisement
Promotion - all I could find was t-shirts, because of the genre of the film I don't think it draws in all ages and audiences, and you usually find lots of merchandise with a film targeted at children which this film isn't with it being more serious.
Number of countries - from what I found, Australia, UK and USA
Exhibition-
Date of release - June 26th 2009
Amount of screens used for opening weekend - 2,606 (USA)
Box office taking for the opening weekend - $12, 422, 212 (USA)
Length of time on release in cinemas - (June 26th 2009 - October 8th 2009), so in release for 15 weeks/ 105 days.
Releases after cinema - DVD and Sky Box Office
Pre Production and Production-
My Sisters Keeper is a film is a 2004 novel written by Jodi Picoult, the film hit the cinema's on June 26th 2009. The main characters in the film are a close family, Mum, Dad and two daughters. One of the daughters Kate is born with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, there is no way that she can stay alive without a doner that will be able to give her what she needs throughout her life. The other daughter Anna was conceived by in vitro fertilization to become a donor; the medical procedures started when she was only 5 years old to donate to her sister.
The budget for the film was $30 million, and the worldwide gross revenue amounted to $78,771,734. I found the overall total of the gross revenue very shocking, it was a very heart warming, beautiful film and I honestly don't know why that's all they managed to make worldwide especially being an American film. The production companies involved in this film are New Line Cinema, Mark Johnson Productions and Curmudgeon Films. I wouldn't say it is based on a very popular genre as you very rarely come across a film that leaves you feeling so distraught, I also wouldn't actually say that I've ever seen a film quite like it or which had a similar storyline.
I feel the use of the music in the film is so cleverly selected and adds to the emotions built up and felt by the audience. The music used at the very beginning of the film starts off revealing her feelings and how she is quite happy, but then as the song choice goes on they become more sad which reflects her feelings as well as her families. Later on and nearer towards the end of the film where the scrap book scene is I felt it so emotional everything that was written inside it, their whole journey together and all the pictures of the fun days out and comments. With the music in the background to this it really makes you empathise and you can't help but to get emotionally involved, and for me that was one of the best parts of the film.
Distribution-
Distribution company - New Line Cinema
Budget - $30 million
Marketing - posters, trailers, internet and television advertisement
Promotion - all I could find was t-shirts, because of the genre of the film I don't think it draws in all ages and audiences, and you usually find lots of merchandise with a film targeted at children which this film isn't with it being more serious.
Number of countries - from what I found, Australia, UK and USA
Exhibition-
Date of release - June 26th 2009
Amount of screens used for opening weekend - 2,606 (USA)
Box office taking for the opening weekend - $12, 422, 212 (USA)
Length of time on release in cinemas - (June 26th 2009 - October 8th 2009), so in release for 15 weeks/ 105 days.
Releases after cinema - DVD and Sky Box Office
Thursday 4 February 2010
Top Gun
'Post-generic' film making-
"Post generic" meaning to combine two classic genre's into one film. This is not a completely new method of film making, but yet it still continues to progress as film becomes more extra ordinary, exciting and different. This also draws in different sets of audiences of course with the more genres' you include in your film. Take romantic comedy's for example, these are my two favourite film genre's and when they are cleverly combined into one film it couldn't appeal more to me e.g. Ghost Town starring Ricky Gervais, this film is probably one of the funniest films I've ever seen, with the contrasting romance lets out a more gentle and caring side; so the character reveals two completely different sides to the audience. Overall using this technique I feel the film will tend to be much more successful as apposed to other films which stick to one.
Use of extended montages-
There are two main songs played throughout Top Gun, one is at the beginning and called 'playing with the boys of danger' the title of the song even shows reveals the action in the film as the film is based on a group of young men who are given the opportunity to train at the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, after the pilot above him in the ranking system resigns after a very stressful and frightening mission. The song is a rock song and was created by American singer Kenny Loggins and is the famous soundtrack for top gun, Kenny Loggins also created the famous song 'footloose' which is also in the film called Footloose which was a huge success and a famously recognisable song today, just like playing with the boys. The other famous used in this film 'take my breath away', the song title immediately shows romance or some hint of lust but that idea is already there. This song is used as the two characters Charlie and Maverick grow a bond together and gradually become closer, the song is appropriate for the relationship they and it goes with any mood or situation like when they are around each other, talking and when they are intimate the song just suits any atmosphere. It is a memorable song that everyone knows and is very "chick flicky", similar to the characters bond. You notice in parts of the film when they are intimate there is no dialogue just the diagetic music being played as sometimes you don't need words the music talks for them and the facial expressions also play a huge part in this.
Design reflects advertising styles-
When looking for advertising I couldn't find a lot on Top Gun except for promotional posters, some of them just featured Tom Cruise with the film title on them. But the ones for me that really helped to advertise the film best was the ones with both Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis on the motorbike together. At the very top of the poster it included text saying "UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST", you could relate this to the fact of how the film is so well created and also how if you want to be a pilot in the academy then you have to be 'the best of the best' pilots.
Easily replicated in publicity-
It is essential to use the most interesting, funny, scary etc parts of the film when making the trailer as that's what draws in the audience to start with, if the trailer looks decent then people will want to see the film, which is all pretty self explanatory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8ze3S0Uj8
Formal excess-
"Post generic" meaning to combine two classic genre's into one film. This is not a completely new method of film making, but yet it still continues to progress as film becomes more extra ordinary, exciting and different. This also draws in different sets of audiences of course with the more genres' you include in your film. Take romantic comedy's for example, these are my two favourite film genre's and when they are cleverly combined into one film it couldn't appeal more to me e.g. Ghost Town starring Ricky Gervais, this film is probably one of the funniest films I've ever seen, with the contrasting romance lets out a more gentle and caring side; so the character reveals two completely different sides to the audience. Overall using this technique I feel the film will tend to be much more successful as apposed to other films which stick to one.
Use of extended montages-
There are two main songs played throughout Top Gun, one is at the beginning and called 'playing with the boys of danger' the title of the song even shows reveals the action in the film as the film is based on a group of young men who are given the opportunity to train at the Navy's Fighter Weapons School, after the pilot above him in the ranking system resigns after a very stressful and frightening mission. The song is a rock song and was created by American singer Kenny Loggins and is the famous soundtrack for top gun, Kenny Loggins also created the famous song 'footloose' which is also in the film called Footloose which was a huge success and a famously recognisable song today, just like playing with the boys. The other famous used in this film 'take my breath away', the song title immediately shows romance or some hint of lust but that idea is already there. This song is used as the two characters Charlie and Maverick grow a bond together and gradually become closer, the song is appropriate for the relationship they and it goes with any mood or situation like when they are around each other, talking and when they are intimate the song just suits any atmosphere. It is a memorable song that everyone knows and is very "chick flicky", similar to the characters bond. You notice in parts of the film when they are intimate there is no dialogue just the diagetic music being played as sometimes you don't need words the music talks for them and the facial expressions also play a huge part in this.
Design reflects advertising styles-
When looking for advertising I couldn't find a lot on Top Gun except for promotional posters, some of them just featured Tom Cruise with the film title on them. But the ones for me that really helped to advertise the film best was the ones with both Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis on the motorbike together. At the very top of the poster it included text saying "UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST", you could relate this to the fact of how the film is so well created and also how if you want to be a pilot in the academy then you have to be 'the best of the best' pilots.
Easily replicated in publicity-
It is essential to use the most interesting, funny, scary etc parts of the film when making the trailer as that's what draws in the audience to start with, if the trailer looks decent then people will want to see the film, which is all pretty self explanatory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8ze3S0Uj8
Formal excess-
Thursday 21 January 2010
Film Selection
There are so much film variety available to see, and so many different opinions on all of them and everybody likes something different. So the person I asked these questions upon I feel is not biased when it comes to films and could gave me a general view of what he feels most people are attracted to.
He felt that adverts and trailers were the biggest draw in to start to provoke interest in the film, and wanting to find out more about it. As trailers reveal some of the best parts of the film, for example comedy 'witty jokes', horror 'terrifying and jumpy moments' etc... Those 3-5 minutes can have massive impact upon somebody and completely grab them in that short amount of time. They are also very clever at manipulating their target audience and knowing the right things to show at the right time for the best effect. Leaving the audience anticipating and wanting to see what happens and leaving the release date a little while after the trailer is released for urge to watch it and leave you in suspense.
Your peers reviews on films can really sway your decision on whether to watch it or not, for example if you have a close friend and have similar interests, and they find the film awful then you are less likely to want to see it; therefore every individual opinion really does count and can have a massive impact on the films overall income. Reviews on cinema websites using the 5 star rating system can also either encourage or discourage people to see the film. If your searching for a good film to watch at the cinema and you see a film that has 1*'s across the border then you will question why this is, and immediately look for another film.
Films that tend to use the same star all the time can tend to get a bit "samey" and predictable e.g. in my opinion Hugh Grant holds onto the same personality in basically every film that he's in, making the film predictable and disappointing. Media hype also helps to get a film well known like Harry Potter it gets bigger and better everytime and pulls in a range of audiences, theres posters put up around town and on buses etc, trailers getting more thrilling each time, merchandise and much more. If a specific actor has been in a film that I've really enjoyed like Renee Zellweger who can pull off pretty much any role then I am more likely to want to see her in different films even if it is a different role, in my opinion.
He felt that adverts and trailers were the biggest draw in to start to provoke interest in the film, and wanting to find out more about it. As trailers reveal some of the best parts of the film, for example comedy 'witty jokes', horror 'terrifying and jumpy moments' etc... Those 3-5 minutes can have massive impact upon somebody and completely grab them in that short amount of time. They are also very clever at manipulating their target audience and knowing the right things to show at the right time for the best effect. Leaving the audience anticipating and wanting to see what happens and leaving the release date a little while after the trailer is released for urge to watch it and leave you in suspense.
Your peers reviews on films can really sway your decision on whether to watch it or not, for example if you have a close friend and have similar interests, and they find the film awful then you are less likely to want to see it; therefore every individual opinion really does count and can have a massive impact on the films overall income. Reviews on cinema websites using the 5 star rating system can also either encourage or discourage people to see the film. If your searching for a good film to watch at the cinema and you see a film that has 1*'s across the border then you will question why this is, and immediately look for another film.
Films that tend to use the same star all the time can tend to get a bit "samey" and predictable e.g. in my opinion Hugh Grant holds onto the same personality in basically every film that he's in, making the film predictable and disappointing. Media hype also helps to get a film well known like Harry Potter it gets bigger and better everytime and pulls in a range of audiences, theres posters put up around town and on buses etc, trailers getting more thrilling each time, merchandise and much more. If a specific actor has been in a film that I've really enjoyed like Renee Zellweger who can pull off pretty much any role then I am more likely to want to see her in different films even if it is a different role, in my opinion.
Monday 30 November 2009
Thursday 19 November 2009
The Matrix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te6qG4yn-Ps&feature=related
^ This is the blue pill or red pill scene. A close up is used of Morpheus as we enter the room with Neo, for the seconds that we are still in close up the silence kills me as his facial expressions aren't obvious of what he's thinking and feeling; and you just want to know what he's about to do. After they've entered an over-the-shoulder shot is used to introduce Morpheus and to show his importance of which isn't yet revealed. The lighting in the room is really dim with just background lamps used; I think this creates a serious atmosphere which I think is important for creating mystery and uncertainty of why Neo is being introduced to Morpheus. When they first speak and shake hands over-the-shoulder shots are used to show their reactions and impressions of each other, which I think is imperative as Neo has no real idea of why he is there. When Morpheus talks you don't feel threatened by him however he doesn't come across as a 'jokey' character because of his role and status, but a very pronounced and serious character making you unsure what to think of him by first impressions especially for Neo.
When they sit down and get into conversation about The Matrix, reaction shots are used a lot so that you really gain entry into their discussion. When they are talking Neo looks anxious when Morpheus asks him whether he wants to know what The Matrix, which could make him feel nervous about what knowing about it could involve and whether he wants to be involved in it. As Morpheus reveals of what The Matrix is about Neo listens and starts to become more curious and begins to trust the whole situation much more as they learn forward in their chairs and discuss further. You then get a close up of both hands but he reveals the red pill and explains the consequences of this pill also, once again with an extreme close up of his face afterwards. As Morpheus sits with both of his hands open waiting for Neo to make his decision,
As Morpheus says 'this is your last chance after this there is no turning back' soft music begins to play to set atmosphere and tension of what is about to be asked of Neo. You then get another reaction shot of Neo and he looks taken back and begins to lean back into his chair again more wondering what to do and the music suddenly gets a lot louder. You immediately get a close up of Morpheus' hand with the blue pill in it and he explains about what happens when you take the blue pill, and then you get an extreme close up of his face and you can see Neo's reflection in them (ask caroline about this shot). You then get an over the shoulder shot showing Neo hesitating on which pill to choose, and again the clever shot used of Neo's reflection in Morpheus' glasses and you can see both pills and Neo's hand hovering over the red pill, and then him picking it up. Eerie music is playing at he places it into his mouth and takes the glass of water and you can suddenly hear lightening in the background as he drinks the water making you feel anxious of whether he chose the right pill or not; Morpheus then says 'follow me'.
^ This is the blue pill or red pill scene. A close up is used of Morpheus as we enter the room with Neo, for the seconds that we are still in close up the silence kills me as his facial expressions aren't obvious of what he's thinking and feeling; and you just want to know what he's about to do. After they've entered an over-the-shoulder shot is used to introduce Morpheus and to show his importance of which isn't yet revealed. The lighting in the room is really dim with just background lamps used; I think this creates a serious atmosphere which I think is important for creating mystery and uncertainty of why Neo is being introduced to Morpheus. When they first speak and shake hands over-the-shoulder shots are used to show their reactions and impressions of each other, which I think is imperative as Neo has no real idea of why he is there. When Morpheus talks you don't feel threatened by him however he doesn't come across as a 'jokey' character because of his role and status, but a very pronounced and serious character making you unsure what to think of him by first impressions especially for Neo.
When they sit down and get into conversation about The Matrix, reaction shots are used a lot so that you really gain entry into their discussion. When they are talking Neo looks anxious when Morpheus asks him whether he wants to know what The Matrix, which could make him feel nervous about what knowing about it could involve and whether he wants to be involved in it. As Morpheus reveals of what The Matrix is about Neo listens and starts to become more curious and begins to trust the whole situation much more as they learn forward in their chairs and discuss further. You then get a close up of both hands but he reveals the red pill and explains the consequences of this pill also, once again with an extreme close up of his face afterwards. As Morpheus sits with both of his hands open waiting for Neo to make his decision,
As Morpheus says 'this is your last chance after this there is no turning back' soft music begins to play to set atmosphere and tension of what is about to be asked of Neo. You then get another reaction shot of Neo and he looks taken back and begins to lean back into his chair again more wondering what to do and the music suddenly gets a lot louder. You immediately get a close up of Morpheus' hand with the blue pill in it and he explains about what happens when you take the blue pill, and then you get an extreme close up of his face and you can see Neo's reflection in them (ask caroline about this shot). You then get an over the shoulder shot showing Neo hesitating on which pill to choose, and again the clever shot used of Neo's reflection in Morpheus' glasses and you can see both pills and Neo's hand hovering over the red pill, and then him picking it up. Eerie music is playing at he places it into his mouth and takes the glass of water and you can suddenly hear lightening in the background as he drinks the water making you feel anxious of whether he chose the right pill or not; Morpheus then says 'follow me'.
Friday 13 November 2009
City of God
City of God had me hooked from start to finish, the way the camera manipulates the audience in such a clever way I find incredible. To start with the title 'City of God' is ironic as the characters in the film are far from safety in God's hands, and God plays no presence in the entire film. The brutal reality of the characters lives reflects on how the criminal image and status is just the normal way of life. At the beginning of the film the music used is diegetic and the fast cuts used makes you feel confused and anxious of where the knife is, and unaware of your surroundings making you feel involved.
As the film unfolds we are revealed and let into the lives of the characters and I really empathise with the children knowing the things they have to do like drug dealing purely to survive allowing their families to live; to put bluntly if you don't get involved in the towns drug industry and earn respect from the main leaders than you have little hope surviving. In the case of the children looks are definitely deceiving in this case as the children are just as violent as the adults and you shouldn't under estimate this for a minute, just like the adults they are also killed without much consideration for their age as this doesn't matter in their eyes.
I find this film completely unique and so different, but yet so realistic of that culture and it really brings home how life is for some people in different cultures and makes you realise what life could be really like. The main focus for me in the film is the children and how they are so grown up before their time, having to fend for themselves and the parent role does not even come into the picture. The worst part of the film is when the two children are being mouthed off by Lil Ze and one of them has to be shot in the hand or foot and the other has to be shot to be killed, this decision has to be made by (one of the newest gang members who agreed to be in Lil Ze's gang through peer pressure who I can't remember the name of). You can tell by his facial expressions that he doesn't want to choose but he eventually does and his face is distraught once it happens. Lil Ze then makes the other child walk off after he's just been shot in the foot, shouting at him not to limp which I find really sad as he is clearly in agonizing pain and finds it incredibly hard not to. In my opinion this film is an inspirational success in making me feel completely emotional involved in it, I share the emotions with all the characters and often find myself feeling frustrated, confused, upset, happy and much more; which I find unbelievable that a film could do this to me which I never thought it could.
As the film unfolds we are revealed and let into the lives of the characters and I really empathise with the children knowing the things they have to do like drug dealing purely to survive allowing their families to live; to put bluntly if you don't get involved in the towns drug industry and earn respect from the main leaders than you have little hope surviving. In the case of the children looks are definitely deceiving in this case as the children are just as violent as the adults and you shouldn't under estimate this for a minute, just like the adults they are also killed without much consideration for their age as this doesn't matter in their eyes.
I find this film completely unique and so different, but yet so realistic of that culture and it really brings home how life is for some people in different cultures and makes you realise what life could be really like. The main focus for me in the film is the children and how they are so grown up before their time, having to fend for themselves and the parent role does not even come into the picture. The worst part of the film is when the two children are being mouthed off by Lil Ze and one of them has to be shot in the hand or foot and the other has to be shot to be killed, this decision has to be made by (one of the newest gang members who agreed to be in Lil Ze's gang through peer pressure who I can't remember the name of). You can tell by his facial expressions that he doesn't want to choose but he eventually does and his face is distraught once it happens. Lil Ze then makes the other child walk off after he's just been shot in the foot, shouting at him not to limp which I find really sad as he is clearly in agonizing pain and finds it incredibly hard not to. In my opinion this film is an inspirational success in making me feel completely emotional involved in it, I share the emotions with all the characters and often find myself feeling frustrated, confused, upset, happy and much more; which I find unbelievable that a film could do this to me which I never thought it could.
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