help!!!!

Mainstream: Unlikely ever to view anything other than major Hollywood style blockbusters.

Mainstream plus: Generally mainstream but apt to see less mainstream films on a few occasions.

Aficionados: Tend to view a mix of films including major foreign language titles and can be encouraged to become even more adventurous in their viewing choices.

Film buffs: Eschew mainstream films in favour of more extreme, esoteric challenging and difficult subject matter/ specialised films.

To qualify as a British film the needs to meet three of the following six criteria:

• A British director
• A British producer
• Predominantly British cast
• British production company
• Subject matter that informs on the British experience
• British identity defined by the BFI in Sight and Sound

Co-productions with British input are often classed as British films.

BBFC - An independant, non-governmental body which classifies and censors film, video as well as computer and console - based games released in the UK.

British Council - The official UK agency for international cultural relations. Its film department promotes new British film internationally principally through festivals and showcases.

BFI - Aims to support, develop and promote the art forms of moving image.

UK Film Council - Promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and TV heritage and culture.

British Film Council - Government backed agency for film in the UK ensuring that the econmoic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.

What do the British Box Office figures tell us about the British Film Industry?

It shows that American films are more popular in Britain than British films. Due Date, Jackass 3D, Saw 3D and Paranormal Activity 2 are some of the most popular films at the moment. This is slightly unusual as they are not four-quadrant pictures however they are sequels of popular films which would have drawn people in. This shows that the British Film Industry produce more specialised/ niche films which don't appeal to wider and larger audiences which is why they get low box office figures both in the UK and the US.

What do stars bring to a film? Why do producers use certain stars?

• Guaranteed sales - good box office figures
• Brings in their fans
• Narrative image - star persona/ typecast
• Interest and attention from the press = publicity
• Expectations of genre
• Used as main market feature

Would the world be different if we relied only on the US film industry?

• US films about wealth/money
• White male dominance
• Foreigners/English are the bad guys
• Women are represented as skinny/ petit/ blonde/ lacking intelligence/ vulnerable

Hypodermic model - The audience is passive and are injected with ideas and beliefs by what they see.

If only American films were available we would lose British identity/culture. British Film Council offer grants to film makers to keep British culture "alive".

Film Financing.

The producer (studio or production company) has to get all the funding for the production before the filming starts. There is always the problem of not knowing whether or not the film will make money - whether it will a success or a failure.

The Government sometimes provide grants for productions, they sometimes have schemes designed to encourage creativity and develop new talent.

A film production can benefit a country by:

• employment opportunities - in the production, catering, accomatation, transport etc.
• develops culture
• advertises the area/location to an international audience - promotes tourism. For example, the Twilight series increased the amount of tourists visiting Forks, where the book/film is set and filmed, considerably.

The UK Film Council used to offer subsidies to filmmakers in the UK meeting a certain criteria. The National Lottery also offers subsidies and grants to UK-based filmmakers. 

The UK introduced the Producers' Tax Credit in 2007 to encourage film producers to film in the UK. This helped bring large scale productions to the UK. For example, The Dark Knight was filmed at Pinewood and Shepperton studios. 

Pre-sales involves the producter selling the rights to distributors of the film before it is made, which is the most common method of film financing. In order to secure their investment, distributors expect certain elements that will guarantee success. For example, certain famous actors/ directors/ storyline etc. Pre-sales are usually done by region e.g. Europe, North America. They can also be made of DVD and TV distribution rights which is likely to be the case if the movie studio distributing the film is part of the same conglomerate as a TV station e.g. Horizonal Intergration. This also stops piracy.

Advertising

Above the line - is advertising through media like TV, cinema, radio, magazines/newspapers, web banners and web search engines. This type of advertising is conventional and is considered impersonal.

Below the line - is efficient and cost-effective for targeting limited and specific groups of the audience. This can be tie-ins with other products and companies.

Film Distribution.

The film distributor is responsible for releasing a film for public viewing either theatrically or for home viewing (TV/DVD/download etc) 

A distributor might do this by directly distributing the film to their own theatres or they can send it to sub-distributors. If the distributors is working with a theatrical exhibitor the distributor will write a contract to say how much the exhibitor will pay them from the gross ticket sales. After the distributor gets their shares in the gross ticket sales they transmit the remainder of the profit to the production company. 

Vertical Integration Distribution:

The stages of production and distribution are done by the same company e.g. large Hollywood production companies can afford and have the resources to do this

Horizontal Distribution:

One company produces the film then has another distribute the film. This allows the companies to share the risk of failure and if the film is a failure then it is less of a loss for the companies. This is done by the distributor acquiring the legal rights to show the film from the producers. British productions use this method. Independent producers have to sell their films to different distributors in each territory.

Local distributors only work in their country and will share the profits made in that country with the film maker. There are 90+ territories worldwide.

How are films usually launched?

Scheduling - Often come out on a Friday as it is the end of the week so children and adults will have the time to visit the cinema. 

Film Distribution Association - work out how and when the film should be launched Seasonality, light weekends and other releases are considered before they agree on a time for the film to be launched to ensure optimum success.

There is usually about 10 releases in a week.

Prints - (old way of distributing film)

Independent/ specialised films made about 10 prints or less of a film and toured it over 6 month period to all areas around the UK. Mainstream films had about 200+ prints made which would be simultaneously shown in all major UK cities. Transportation around the world was expensive and difficult. The prints had to be hired by the exhibitor, they were easily damaged and expensive to store as they had to kept at a certain temperature and condition.

The success or failure of a cinema release determines when and how the DVD/ TV releases will happen.

5 major distributors will account for 90% of box office.

Wide Release - used for US major distributors/ films need £2 million+ to make a wide release. This type of release requires heavy investment in prints and national advertising. The producers and distributors can recuperate their investment quicker. Also the revenues from the DVD sales can be gained faster from a quickly-executed theatrical release. The shorter the time period between the theatrical release and the DVD release, the greater the potential for DVD income. 

Modified Wide Release - The film will open in a few major markets and expand week by week to build up awareness and allow positive word-of-mouth reputation to develop. This type of release would initially be supported spot advertising in a certain area e.g. one city. It may then move to national advertising once it expands to other markets.

Exclusive and Limited Runs - Exclusive and limited runs begin with engagements at a limited number of screens, traditionally in large urban areas e.g. Toronto. Based on favourable reviews and positive word-of-mouth depends on whether or not the film will move to additional theatres. This release is usually used for upscale "art-house" or foreign films and may be part of a platforming strategy where critical acclaim in an important market will assist in providing momentum for a wide release.

Territorial Saturation - Territorial saturation involves saturating a territory with bookings, heavy advertising and promotion before moving on to another territory. This method would be used for films tailored to specific markets. In Canada this would be seen with French-language films, which primarily would be well-received only in Quebec. It is also used by independent distributors for exploitation or family movies.

Universal Release - The film is released in several countries on the same day. For instance a major blockbuster is sometimes released in the USA and the UK on the same date.

Digital Distribution - quicker/cheaper/gets straight to the audience who want to see it. Independent productions use this method. The main attraction to this type of distribution is the way it can get directly to the audience with minimum business overheads involved which makes it cheaper for the consumer. It has been blamed for media stores having to close down. DSN (Digital Screen Network) sites supports new facilities in 211 screens across the country (out of 33,000). This is a small but important step of change towards full digital cinema.

49% of all DVD rentals are now generated online. 

Only Showcase remains in American hands but all the other chains are deeply committed to distributing American films. 

How film makes its money back:

Promotional screens -> Cinema -> Hospitality (planes/hotels) -> DVD rental -> Pay TV/VOD -> DVD retail -> Free TV -> Library

Digital distribution is changing this order because it allows it to go straight from cinema to DVD retail, Pay TV and download at the same time.

A film recuperates most of its budget through DVD sales. From 40% of DVD sales 75% is from Retail and 25% is from Rental. 28% is made from TV, 25% from Cinema profits and 7% from other sources.

The more times and places a film is exhibited the move money it generates. There are around 45 international areas in which the rights to exhibit films are regularly traded. 20 major international marketplaces: Sundance - Utah, Cannes - France, Toronto Festival - Canada

Sales agents for film rights tend to use the same set of generic internal percentage to make estimates as to how a film will sell internationally. 

Europe - 39%

North America - 33%

Far East - 16%

Latin America - 4%

Other - 9%

A film exhibition sale is generally a 75-25 split between a vendor (cinema/retailer/TV channel) and a distributor - who deducts 35% commission and costs "off the top".

Royalty Model - Distributor pay the producer a 35% royalty of the profits made

"Off the top" Model - Distributor takes 35% commissions + 25% of costs.

Cinema hasn't been seriously affected by the recession. As people still want to see films and go out for the cinema experience. The high months are May, July, August and Jan/Feb

40% of independent British films never gross more than 100k at the box office as opening in over 100 screens significantly increases the cost.

DVD Sales

Audio-video specialists - 35%

Supermarkets - 23%

Generalists - 18%

Mail order - 15%

Wholesalers - 9%

Supermarkets have come to dominate DVD sales pushing the average retail price of DVD to £7.42.

Pay-per-View & VOD tend to be more profitable as the costs of sale are born by the TV platform.

Subscription & free TV fired-fee licensing deals depend on the performance history of the film.

Producer - 60%

Distributor - 40%

Recoupment is organised into a corridor and made from a central collection account.

Film Marketing 

The marketing campaign is the most expensive part. 

• Posters/adverts in newspapers/TV/trailers
• New technologies - internet/websites
• Viral - quirky/odd
• Synergies - gets other companies/products involved
• Above the line/ Below the line

Independent distributors in particular don't have press departments and will hire a press agency to run a pre-release campaign.

Distributors will consider the use of advance public screenings to create word-of-mouth and an advance buzz about a film.

french

even though i prefer to watch films in the cinema, there are also a lot of disadvantages to watching a film at the cinema rather than at home. I find it so annoying when certain people keep going to the toilet, or eat their food loudly, but most anoying is when they are playing on their phones or talking to their friends. It make me angry because people pay to go and see a film and then get distratcted by inconsiderate people.  so frustrating.

même si,Je préfère regarder les films au cinéma,il ya aussi beaucoup d'inconvénients à regarder un film au cinéma plutôt qu'à la maison.Je le trouve tellement ennuyeux quand certaines personnes continuent d'aller à la toilette ou de manger leur nourriture fort,Mais le plus irritant, est quand, ils jouent sur leur téléphone ou de parler à leurs amis. Il me mettre en colère parce que les gens payent pour voir le film, puis se laisser distraire par des gens inconsidérés. très frustrant

it's very difficult to decide what is better to watch a film at home or at the cinema because both have advantages and disadvantages. But if i had to chose, i would say i prefer to watch films at the cinema, because in my opinion action and horror films are better on a big screen with surroud sounds, beacuse the special effetcs helps build up the tension. Even though sometimes it is nice to watch a film from the comfort of your own bed. 

C'est très difficile de décider ce qui est mieux pour regarder un film chez soi ou au cinéma, parce que les deux ont leurs avantages et inconvénients.Mais si je devais choisir,Je dirais que je préfère regarder les films au cinéma, parce qu'à mon avis, les films d'action et d'horreur sont mieux sur grand écran avec son surround.Parce que les effets spéciaux, aider à renforcer la tension.Même si parfois il est agréable de regarder un film dans le confort de votre propre lit.

I think that cinemas will always be busy, because it appeals to people of all ages. but i dont think it is as popular as it used to be, as now there are so many other ways that people can watch new films, because of new technology such as dvds, donwloading, etc 

sans aucun doute le cinema sera toujours occupés, parce qu'il fait appel à tout le monde,de tous âges différents. mais je ne pense pas c'est aussi populaire qu'elle l'habitude d'être, parce que maintenant il ya beaucoup d'autres façons que les gens puissent regarder les nouveaux films, car des nouvelles technologies comme le DVD et téléchargement, etc

a terre

During the first years of the World War 1914-1918, the concept of being a soldier was associated with ideas of heroism, courage and gallantry; however Owen contradicts these ideas stating 'This book is not about heroes.' Wilfred Owen, a former patriot, writes of the cruel realisms of war and conflict, and the suffering inflicted on those who were fighting, highlighting that there is no glamour or glory in battle. This is successfully conveyed as throughout Owens poetry the soldiers appear and are portrayed as weak and defenceless a juxtaposition to the stereotype, which many would have associated with these courageous and fearless men. Owen is evidently trying to unsettle those who believed opposite, individuals who were of the opinion that to fight for ones country was honourable and moral, this was due to propaganda poetry of the time such as, Jessie Pope, who fools the young men into believing fighting for ones country was admirable ‘For there’s only one course to pursue, Your country is up to her neck in a fight, And she’s looking and calling for you’, this is shown through her most popular poem ‘Who’s for The Game’. It is conveyed through Owen's 'Preface' that he writes his poems to inform and notify, rather than to try and delude or deceive those who were waiting 'all a poet can do is warn. That is why the true poets must be truthful' Owen writes to try and prevent a war from reoccurring demonstrating that there is no honour in battle, and successfully demonstrates  war to be a waste, for both the boys who were fighting, and the land which was being demolished and destroyed as a result of the constant battle.

It is evident from all of Owen's previous work that his focal intention is to try and avert another war from occuring, however, it is apparent that in 'Strange Meeting' Owen questions his ability to do so. Fearing, he may have killed the one soldier who has the potential to tell "the truth untold" ('Strange Meeting') This is the first time we see Owen doubting his ability, this may be due to the fact that he too has accepted the responsibilities of war, and the realisation that he like many others have been apart of the killing and demolishing of fellow comrades prospects and abilities. Stating there to be no glory or honour during or after battle but instead sorrow, misery and regret.

The full poem consists of 65 lines, separated into 12 individual stanzas. Through the skillful use of para rhyme and enjambment the poem appears unsettling, reflecting the overall mood and feeling and mood of death and desperation to live just that bit longer, "A short life and a merry one, my brick!"

"A Terre" which translates to "to the ground" is a religious reference, from the book of 'Genesis', which was commonly spoken at religious funeral services, we are aware that Owen had a religious upbringing, and therefore occasionaly reference this in his poetry. The poem depicts the lack of glamour and glory in war, as the reader witnesses Owen pleading to "God" and expressing his desire and longing to live "We used to say we'd hate to live dead old,Yet now . . . I'd willingly be puffy, bald, And patriotic."similarly in Miners "arms streched out, well cheered" and "comforted years will sit soft chaired" Both indicate the comfort of being old. However, it is too apparent that Owen acts as a spokes person for the other dying comrades, therefore in its entirety "A Terre" is the philosophy of many soldiers, and the bleak way in which each will live out the remains of their life, A juxtaposition to the honour many men would have hoped war would have provided.

Similar to many other of Owen's work he alternates between the pains of the past; the suffering, agony and anguish, felt during the actual experience of battle, as well as the pain of the present "he plunges at me guttering, choking, drowning" ('Dulce et Decorum Est') through the use of gerund verbs, it demonstrates to the reader, Owen as well as many who wold have fought, are unable to escape the image of their dying comrades which haunts and disturbs, from within their memory. Conveying the suffering of war time, are never endings. Owen usually develops these ideas through scenarios such as dreams and nightmares, therefore allowing the reader too associate with this terror and fright.

A Terre is a poem about the physical loss suffered by a soldier entrapped within his deteriorating body. He is describing to the reader the mental and physical effects of his condition that have made him less than human, "I'm blind and three parts shell," and powerless over his own body "fingers fidgit like ten idle brats" Owen skillfully suggests the soldiers frustration through his constant use of emotive language. 

Much like Owen's "Disabled," the speaker seems to be waiting for something "sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark" that will allow him to escape from his situation, even if that means death. Whilst he waits he reflects upon the life war has made him lose, a once healthy and undeniable boy who had "Artists silly for is face" ('Disabled') However now Owen suggests that he as well as many others are so damaged that even rodents have more freedom than them, "O Life, Life, let me breathe, a dug-out rat!" Suggesting these creatures to be "safe" a contrast to how Owen, as well as the reader views the soldiers. Therefore understandable why many suggest being "insensible" unaware or not remorseful for the lives or limbs that you have taken, is the only way to live through the war yourself. This assists in suggesting that war does not result in glory, and the effects of war are not glamorous, but instead devastating, cruel and undignified. Owen suggests that many who are fortunate to return from battle, still however die an invalid of disease be it mental or physical.

Following on from this, an object which many would presume and associate with being glorified "I have my medals" Owen however responds rhetorically, explaining that instead medals "are the disks that make his eyes close" It is evident from research that Owen studied the classics at school therefore throughout the entirety of this poem he makes close reference to these times, revealing in a previous stanza that similar to Owen, Greek Gods were too "buried with pennies on their eyes." Conveying there to be no glory or glamour during or after war, but instead loss, distress and anguish.