Case studies

Essay: How does film classification affect film production and distribution?

 When the BBFC classify films, they have to take into consideration how it is going to affect the making of the film. Things that they have to think about whilst they are making the film are; whether the film will include violence, sex, drug use, swearing, nudity and horror.  They classify films to protect and make sure that young people/children are unable to view them in the cinema, because what is shown is too inappropriate for young people.

The film producers are the people that make the film and are involved in the coordination, supervision and are in charge of controlling all of the major aspects of the project. When making a film it is important for the producers to stick to certain limits. If making a children’s film, they should remember not to include any themes of sex, violence, drug use, horror and bad language. This is because this could make the BBFC classify the film with a high age rating, which will affect the audience who can view the film. The actors that take part in a film, contributes towards the production of a film. The producers are in charge of what they do and how they do it. If the actors are behaving in a certain way, it can affect how high the film classification can be. For example, the film SAW I, is classified as an 18+ and the actors in the film act in a way that presents horror and gory behaviour, which is unsuitable for anyone below the age of 18. An example of why ‘SAW I’ shouldn’t be viewed by anyone under the age of 18, is when one of the men in the room saws off his own foot in able to get a gun to kill the other man.  The writer of this film would have to have taken the gory parts and violence that is in this film into consideration when scripting it. The writer would also have to have in mind the classification that is suitable for this film.  Also when writing a film like SAW I, the writer would script the film with actions and speech sensibly so that it will obey the age classification.

The classification can affect the production in different ways.

Firstly when producing a film, if scenes of sex was to be included, the producers would firstly have to find actors that would be comfortable and to not mind displaying themselves having sex with another person. The actors would have to be sure of this because the film could possibly be shown in the cinema or later be put on a DVD. Also when producing a film, the producer needs to have a target audience in mind, so they can produce the film and make it suitable for them. This can affect the actors, the language used, whether violence, sex, drug use etc. Is used. This is important to consider because if the film overstepped the age rating, it would be moved higher and then would not be suitable to their original target audience.

Film classification can also affect the distribution of the film. When a film gets released into a cinema, the film is automatically restricted on the age that it lets in. For example, if a film is classified as a 15, it means that nobody under the age of 15 will be allowed to view the film. This means they are missing out on the money they could of got from letting the underage children in. A positive factor of film classification and the distribution of the film is that it attracts the right audience. This is how the media institutions know if the film made was to address the right target audience or not. However, after the film has been shown in the cinema, it will probably be available on DVD. This means that even though the DVD will still have a age rating on, its easier to gain access to because other people can buy the DVD for them, meaning the instituion is still making money from the film. This could be a negative point as well though because those of the younger age who shouldn’t be viewing the film, are because of the access being easier, but this could also be a good way of letting the parents decide if it is appropriate or not for their child. Along with DVD’s, a lot of films are now widely available on the internet to stream or on websites such as ‘LoveFilm’ or ‘Netflix’ and they do not require proof of age unlike cinema’s do.

In conclusion, film classification has a big effect on the production and distribution of a film, but mainly for the films that get shown at the cinema. It still has an effect on after that such as the Internet and DVD’s because it is easier to gain access to the films, without needing age proof, but when shown at the cinema, this is the only time that the age restriction is monitored and controlled for the right reasons. 

Bafta research and information

DOCUMENTARY: Searching For Sugar Man - Malik Bendjelloul, Simon Chinn

ANIMATED FILM: Brave - Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman

DIRECTOR: Argo - Ben Affleck

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Django Unchained - Quentin Tarantino

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Silver Linings Playbook - David O. Russell

LEADING ACTOR: Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln

LEADING ACTRESS: Emmanuelle Riva - Amour

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained

SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Skyfall - Thomas Newman

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Life Of Pi - Claudio Miranda

EDITING: Argo - William Goldenberg

PRODUCTION DESIGN: Les Miserables - Eve Stewart, Anna Lynch-Robinson

COSTUME DESIGN: Anna Karenina - Jacqueline Durran

MAKE UP & HAIR: Les Miserables - Lisa Westcott

SOUND: Les Miserables - Simon Hayes, Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Jonathan Allen, Lee Walpole, John Warhurst

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS: Life of Pi - Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer

SHORT ANIMATION: The Making of Longbird - Will Anderson, Ainslie Henderson

SHORT FILM: Swimmer - Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw

THE EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public): Juno Temple

OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA: Tessa Ross

THE BAFTA FELLOWSHIP: Alan Parker

Film | Outstanding British Film in 2013

WINNER- Skyfall

Sam Mendes, Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan

Anna Karenina

Joe Wright, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster, Tom Stoppard

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

John Madden, Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Ol Parker

Les Misérables

Tom Hooper, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh, William Nicholson, Alain Boublil, Claud

Seven Psychopaths

Martin McDonagh, Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin

Case study

Skyfall-

- 23^rd James Bond film produced by Eon productions.

- Directed by Sam Mendes

- Produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli

-  Distributed by MGM and sony Pictures

- Features Daniel Craig as James Bond and Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva.

- Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan

- The film centres on Bond investigating an attack on MI6.

- Released on 23^rd October, 26^th October (UK) and 9^th November in US.

- Running time 143 minutes

- Box Office $1, 108, 058, 404

Anna Karenina-

-       Written by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy

-       - the original title was ‘Анна Каренина’

-       was made in Russia

-       Had 864 pages

-       Main characters; Anna Karenina, Stepan Oblonsky’s sister, karenin’s wife and Vronsky’s lover

-       Anna Karenina is the tragedy of married aristocrat and socialite Anna Karenina and her affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. The story starts when she arrives in the midst of a family broken up by her brother's unbridled womanizing—something that prefigures her own later situation, though with less tolerance for her by others.

-       A bachelor, Vronsky is willing to marry her if she would agree to leave her husband Karenin, a government official, but she is vulnerable to the pressures of Russian social norms, her own insecurities and Karenin's indecision. Although Vronsky and Anna go to Italy where they can be together, they have trouble making friends. Back in Russia, she is shunned, becoming further isolated and anxious, while Vronsky pursues his social life. Despite Vronsky's reassurances she grows increasingly possessive and paranoid about his imagined infidelity, fearing loss of control.

-       A parallel story within the novel is that of Konstantin Levin, a country landowner who desires to marry Kitty, sister to Dolly and sister-in-law to Anna's brother Oblonsky. Konstantin has to propose twice before Kitty accepts. The novel details Konstantin's difficulties managing his estate, his eventual marriage, and personal issues, until the birth of his first child.

The best exotic marigold hotel

-       2012 british comedy-drama film

-       Directed by John Madden

-       Written by Ol parker

-       Based on 2004 novel ‘these foolish things’

-       Produced byGraham Broardbent

-       Box office- $134,388,807

-       Released date- 30^th November 201

-       Running time- 124 minutes

Plot- Recently widowed housewife Evelyn (Dench) must sell her home to cover huge debts left by her late husband. Graham (Wilkinson), a high-court judge who had spent his first eighteen years in India, abruptly decides to retire and return there. Jean (Wilton) and Douglas (Nighy) seek a retirement they can afford, having lost most of their savings through investing in their daughter's internet business. Muriel (Smith), a retired housekeeper prejudiced against Indians, needs a hip replacement operation which can be done far more quickly and inexpensively in India. Madge (Celia Imrie) is hunting for another husband, and Norman (Pickup), an aging lothario, is trying to re-capture his youth. They each decide on a retirement hotel in India, based on pictures on its website.

When the group finally arrives at the picturesque hotel, despite its energetic young manager Sonny (Patel), the hotel is very dilapidated. Jean remains ensconced in the hotel, while her husband Douglas explores the sights. Graham, finding that the area has greatly changed since his youth, disappears on long outings every day. Muriel, despite her racist attitudes, starts to appreciate her doctor for his skill and the hotel maid for her good service. Evelyn gets a job advising the staff of a call centre how to interact with older British customers. Sonny struggles to raise funds to renovate the hotel and sees girlfriend, Sunaina (Tena Desae), despite his mother's disapproval. Madge joins the Viceroy Club seeking a spouse, and is surprised to find Norman there. She introduces him to Carol (Diana Hardcastle). He admits he is lonely and seeking a companion, and the two begin a relationship.

Les Miserables

-       directed by Tom Hooper

-       Produced by- Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward

-       Stars, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfriend

-       Running tine 158 minutes

-       Release date(s) 5^th December (London) 11^th January, UK.

Plot

Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew.

Seven psychopaths

-Directed by Martin Mcdonagh

Starring- Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits

Music by- Carter Burwell

Running time- 110 mins

Box office- $23,492, 318

Release date(s)- 7^th September, 12t October (US).

PLOT

A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.

Who holds the most power in terms of influencing what films get made and seen?

There are varied stages in the film production cycle that help a film get made and then seen. The film production cycle contains different groups that contribute towards and influence the film, such as the audience/ consumer, the studio and production cost, the writer, the stars, the director and the producer. In my opinion the audience holds the most power in terms of influencing what films get made and seen.

I think that the audience holds the most power because if there were no audience to watch a film, there would not be a way that it can get feedback and gain more viewers. For example, ‘Les miserable’ was a very successful theatre production that has been also made into a film and without the audience both the theatre shows and film wouldn’t be as successful. This is because of the film reviews and word of mouth from friends and family which has helped make the audience bigger. It took in £5.2 million in its opening weekend, and a extra £1.4m coming from previews, and the majority of that audience had recommended it to other people.

On the other hand, it can be argued that marketing and advertisement can be the power source for influencing what films get made and seen rather than the audience. The more something gets advertised the more likely people will be attracted to it and go and watch it. If the film that is being advertised has a certain actor or celebrity in the film, it is more likely that the audience will view it just to see them. Examples of this are ‘The Notebook’ which has Ryan Gosling in, or like in the film ‘Charlie St Cloud’ where the main actor is Zac Efron. He’s starred in High School Musical 1,2 and 3, Charlie St Cloud, 17 again, The Lucky One, New Year’s Eve and many more. He is adored and loved by millions of girls and boys worldwide, but especially the women.

Another argument against my point of the audience holding the most power is the media conglomerates. A media conglomerate is the media ownership that markets the films. They own the film studio, record labels, books, radio publishing, movies, Internet platforms and TV stations and have a lot of power with what gets seen due to the advertisement methods. The synergy of a film also contributes to the marketing. If the film company has the budget, it can work together with other companies to help promote more things that attract the audience. Such as Disney; has the Disney shop, the kids channel, the films and the Theme Parks which are all well-known and help promote the company to be successful.

 

Another reason why the audience holds the most power in terms of influencing what films get made and seen is because of the amount of people who watch the films on the Internet. It does decrease the viewing figures at the cinema but if they watch the films on ‘Netflix’ or ‘LoveFilm’ it is giving the film company money. Also, with the audience downloading films on them websites, it is increasing the likelihood of them spreading by word of mouth how good the films are, which leads to people paying to watch them. The audience is holding the power with what films get made and seen because it gives the production company a good idea of what audiences like which helps them produce more films that will attract people.

In conclusion I think that the audience holds the most power in terms of influencing what films get made and seen, the main reason being that without the audience, there would not be any feedback from the films and no way for people to know how good it is. This means that no improved films can be made and that the production company would find it hard to create a good film.

 

Media institution case study- Disney

It was founded in Los Angeles, California, U.S (October 16, 1923 (1923-10-16)) by Walt and Roy Disney
Walt Disney's revenue in 2010 was $38 billion
Its first feature-length animated film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and was released on December the 21st 1937 (premiere) and February the 4th 1938
They have produced 52 animated disney films to date, with more to come
An example of disney Films that have been made by the institution are ;
Bambi
Fox and the Hound
Beauty and the Beast
Snow White
Sleeping Beauty
Pinochio
Dumbo
The Lion King
Aladdin
Toy Story

-In October 16, 1923, Walt signed a contract with M. J. Winkler to produce a series of Alice Comedies — this date is considered the start of the Disney company first known as The Disney Brothers Studio.

- October 1, 1949 Walt Disney Music Company is formed.

-July 31, 1995- Disney agrees to purchase Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion