Question 1 In the UK film market,
an increase in the number of the screens available to show films has
not led to an increase in the number of films being shown. Why?
Although the number of screens
available to show films has increased the number of films has not
increased because the film industry is a product driven industry; the
films are the main reason we buy tickets. However it takes time to
produce these films and it is not a process that can be accelerated.
So even though viewing locations are on an increase, the number of
films has not increased as they are not proportional to each other.
Question 2 In your opinion what
might account for the fact that cinema attendances have fluctuated
between 139 million and 176 million between 1999 and 2008?
The number of ticket admissions has
fluctuated due to the quality of films distributed in cinemas. In
certain years many more tickets were sold than in others (ie 2002
where 176million tickets were sold). This was due to the films being
produced were huge blockbusters such as Lord of the rings: The two
towers grossed close to 92 million pounds. In other years films of
lesser quality, and thus less demand, were produced.
Question 3 In 2011 UK film
invested £330 million in advertising their new releases and on 35mm
film prints. If around 450 new films receive a theatrical release in
the UK every year. How much, on average, do distributors spend
distributing a film in the UK?
Approximately £733333.33 per film
Question 4 This spending stirred
up enormous demand – 171.5 million cinema tickets were bought in
the UK in 2011. This is great news for cinemas – what’s the
downside of all this excitement generated and consumer demand for
film producers in the UK.
The downside for film producers in the
UK is that Hollywood blockbusters, which have huge demand, take up a
lot of screens and are shown for very long periods of time. This
means that UK film producers do not have a very long time period to
release their films when all the commotion has died down from the
previous blockbuster, to release their film before the next
high-demand film comes out. Thus their film is not viewed very much
Question 5 In 2004 the average
cost of releasing a US film domestically was $39m, in addition to the
average production cost of $63.8m, making an overall average
production/distribution cost per film $102.8m. What effect might this
have on Hollywood production and distribution if these increases have
continued?
If these costs continue to increase,
then there will be a two main effects; As these costs increase only
larger companies that produce and distribute films, will be able to
afford to produce and distribute films. This means smaller companies
will be slowly edged out of the business as they wont be able to make
enough money.
However one strange effect of this is
that larger companies will actualy make more money. Research has
shown that the more you invest in a film the more profit you will
make out of it. Thus larger companies will make more money and
dominate this industry.
Question 6 Why are more ‘middle
aged’ people going to the cinema in 2011? Who, in your opinion, are
the current most bankable leading actors for the ‘youth’ market
in the UK?
In my opinion many more middle aged people are going to the cinema
due to the experience becoming a lot more enjoyable overall. Over the
past few years, theatres have developed, as have films, making the
movie going experience a lot more different from ten years ago.
Although many films are aimed at the younger generation, the middle
aged generation go to the movies for the experience that comes with
it. Another possible reason is due to the films themselves; they are
now all aimed at the younger generation and thus the older generation
decides to see these films as it makes them feel young again. However
this is just my theory.
In terms of actors, I'd say that the most bankable actors for the
youth market are Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. These two
actors are in the twilight saga and they share an emotional
rollercoaster of a relationship. The youth market idolises upon this,
wishing they could have what they have, making their films some of
the most widely viewed films across the UK.
Question 7 :
Top 10 films for the US last year; Harry potter and the deathly
hallows part 2, Transformers dark of the moon, The twilight saga
breaking dawn part 1, the hangover part 2, Pirates of the Caribbean
on stranger tides, Fast Five, Mission impossible ghost protocol, Cars
2, Sherlock Holmes a game of shadows and Thor
Of those films only these made a profit:
Twilight saga: Breaking Dawn part 1, The Hangover part 2
Question 8
Jerry Bruckheimer is still producing films today- find some of the
recent films he's produced and look at the trailers. Is he still a
'high-concept' producer? Michael Bay has taken over his mantle as the
go-to man for the 'event' movie. Watch some of the trailers for his
recent films- does he deserve his reputation for films that are high
on effects and low on narrative ?
Some of the most recent films Jerry
Bruckheimer has produced are “Pirates of the Carribean: On stranger
tides”, “The Sorcerers Apprentice” and “Prince of Persia:
Sands of Time”. When looking at Jerry Bruckheimer's most recent
films, I would say that he is not a high-concept producer; These most
recent films are relating to fantasy that don't have a chance of ever
possibly occuring in real life. For example “Jurassic Park” is a
high-concept film as it asks the question “what if we could clone
dinosaurs?” and continues on a scenario from there onwards. With
Bruckheimer's most recent films, this question is not present.
Instead they are movies that rely heavily on narrative and story to
grab interest and involve the audience as they can't relate to that
specific scenario. For this reason I feel that Mr Bruckheimer is not
a high-concept film producer.
Some of Michael Bay's most recent films
are the “Transformer” series which include: “Transformers,”
“Transformers:Revenge of the Fallen,” “Transformers: Dark of
the Moon” and he also produced “I am Number Four” which is the
story of an Alien hiding from intergalactic bounty hunters.
When looking at these most recent films
it is easy to see why he may have earned this reputation as a
producer of films that are high on effects but low on narrative.
Transformers requires a huge amount of effects and Computer Generated
Images. However Michael Bay has also produced films such as “The
Unborn,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake),” and “Nightmare
on Elm Street (remake)” which are all films that require minimal
Special effects. Although these films did not gross as much as the
High effects films, they were still good films. Michael Bay is most
known for films like “Transformers” thus he has gained an
according reputation which I think is not particularly fair. In the
future I think he will produce an amazing film with a complex
narrative and secure plotline that will alter his reputation from
being an Effect “Junkie” to a well-rounded producer.
Look up the companies:
a) Fox searchlight
b) Paramount Vantage
Find some recent indiewood type
films- ones associated to a certain “Art House” feel yet
connected to a big holly wood studio- that these companies have
produced. Who are their films aimed at?
Certain indie-style films that Fox Searchlight have produced are Juno and Once. The story of Juno consists of an unexpectedly pregnant girl who decides to give her baby to what she thinks is the perfect couple. However as the babys birth nears she realises that the couple are coming closer and closer to a divorce as she falls in love with the biological father of the baby.
I
feel this film would appeal to anyone from the age of 15-40 as it
incorporates both teens and young adults.
Once
is the inspirational tale of two kindred spirits who find each other
on the bustling streets of Dublin. One is a street musician who lacks
the confidence to perform his own songs. The other is a young mother
trying to find her way in a strange new town. As their lives
intertwine, they discover each other's talents and push one another
to realize what each had only dreamt about before. Once is their
inspiring story.
This
film is also aimed at an audience that ranges from teenager to those
of middle-age as they can reminisce about love and passion.
One
of Paramount Vantage's films that is an indie style picture is “the
Son Of Rambow”. A charming tale of two boys, completely dissimilar
in every way but both with a vision of creating their on “Rambo”
movie. The movie delves into subjects such as friendship and
humility. Its a fantastic story that can be enjoyed by everyone over
the age of 12 making it extremely accessible to everyone and thus
creating a larger margin for profit.
Question
9: Write a short essay on the following questions;
a)
To what extent does Hollywood dominate the Uk Film market
b)
How has it managed to retain its stranglehold?
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