Photoshoot

1) Which of your main characters will appear on the front cover of your programme?

Our main protagonist 'Amelia' will appear on our front cover. 

2) What image or images do you need for the contents page?

We would like the front covers of each production on our contents page. However, if our contents page becomes over-crowded we may just have to pick the best ones. 

3) What image or images will you use for the double-page spread?

• Amelia at the graveyard
• Amelia and Mr. Reynolds at the office
• Mental Hospital
• The drug

4) Write a shot list for the photoshoot. Make sure you plan a variety of camera shots you will look to capture - medium shots, close-ups etc.

• Long shot of Amelia in white gown holding cup with the drug inside it fizzing
• Close-up of the drug
• Wide shot of the hospital
• Over-the-shoulder shot of Amelia at the office with Mr.Reynolds

5) What costume, props or make-up will you require for the photoshoot?

• White gown
• Make-up for Amelia to make her look ill
• White contacts
• Drug (fizzing paracetamol)
• Lab coat
• Glasses

6) How will you make sure you have everything prepared for the photoshoot on Wednesday 20 January?

To make sure we are prepared for the photo shoot on Wednesday, we will have to speak to our actors to ensure they are free for the shoot. We also need to buy all the props that are needed for the shoot. 

Focus Group

Focus Group

The focus group involved each group discussing what their ideas were such as what their plot was, the genre of their film, locations, the target audience and characters etc. Each group then received feedback from everyone else in the room to see what they could do to improve their media production. 

Feedback

• Good story line. 
• Consider getting a lot of actors for the church scene.
• Consider accessing locations (permission) such as church, mental hospital. 
• Seems like a classic horror film - "positive way". 
• "Try and have an original twist to your film". 
• Be careful when filming outdoor scenes - wind noises.  
• Make sure everyone is wearing similar costumes.
• Use of drug possessing character - positive influence in reality as it may prevent people from actually doing drugs. 

From this focus group we have learnt that we need to consider quite a lot for our film. Mainly having a good story line to captivate your audience and keep the intrigued at all times. Furthermore, as our film goes under the genre of horror, from the feedback we got back, we should consider having a twist in the film in order to make it stand out and for it not to be like any normal horror film. One other main thing we learnt from this focus group is being able to get access to public places such as the church and the hospital.

Target Audience

The target audience for our film would mainly appeal to the ages around 15-25, we think it would appeal mainly to the younger generation as they would be more intrigued. Whereas the older generation wouldn’t be as impressed by it or wouldn’t enjoy it as much, considering it involves drugs. However, it may appeal to some of the older generation as they might want to prevent their children from taking drugs etc. Our film sends an important message to our audience about taking drugs and the consequences of taking them in which may prevent the younger generation in taking them. Furthermore, I think our film would mainly appeal to girls as the main protagonist is female, also, as there is a rape scene, girls would emotionally engage with the film. The film also sends a message/warning for girls, to not run off with strangers and shows the implications/consequences if you do. However, it would also appeal to boys as well, as we have the horror theme to the film which boys would enjoy. In our film, there is no specific ethnicity our film would be targeted at as there isn’t a specific ethnicity in our film. Our film would also appeal to working class families as the film conveys the life and struggles of a working class family and how the main protagonist only lives with her dad. In addition, it would appeal to ‘resigned’ as one of the characteristics of a resigned person is being strict and in our film the dad is portrayed as quite strict as he slaps his daughter for coming home late. In addition, the Psychographic group of ‘Strugglers’ would also fit into our film, as strugglers are consumers of drugs and alcohol, and our protagonist drinks at the party and mistakenly takes the drug.  The group of ‘reformers’ would not fit into our film, as the girl at the end hasn’t been reformed in any way, as she is still possessed. In my opinion, I think ‘explorers’ would fit into our film. I think it would fit in as even though the girl being possessed isn’t a good thing, she’s experiencing something new and different, which is what explorers do. However, the group of ‘Succeeders’ would not appeal to our film, as nothing has been accomplished in the end and our main protagonist is still possessed.  

MEST2: BBFC Institution research

What is BBFC?
The BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification) is an independent non-governmental organisation which classifies cinema films. It's responsible for the national classification and censorship of films.

How are films rated?
Examiners normally view the film submissions by themselves, however, if the film is foreign a translator would be needed. The examiners make notes about what the film contains, e.g, sexual content, violence, bad language. Furthermore, distributors can make a request about the age rate of the film which would be taken into consideration by the examiners. 

What issues are there?
When examiners are categorising a film they consider:

• Conflict with the law
• If it would cause any harm to the viewers
• not suitable to appear to a wider audience 
• acceptably portraying a dominant issue 
• unsettling tone, which may be unsettling to it's audience

Other issue's that have to be taken into consideration are:

• Violence 
• Sex
• Sexual Violence
• Drugs 
• Horror 
• Imitable Behaviour
• Discrimination 
• Language 

Controversial decisions - 'The Dark Knight'

There was a lot of media coverage over this film as it was rated a 12A. However, many people thought the amount of violence in this film was too strong for it to be under the rating of a 12A. Parents felt like the tone of the film unsuitable for their kids to watch as there were weapons such as knifes being used throughout the film. 

15 Rated Films:

• strong violence 
• frequent use of strong language 
• portrayals of sexual activity 
• verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking

Adulthood - classification:

This film was rated a 15 as it contained very strong language, violence and sexual references. Due to this being contained in this film its age rating was a 15.

Distribution: Independent film distributors

10 Steps of Film Distribution

1) Audiences can be inspired by films in many different ways, due to it being a real life story, a fantasy, a historical figure or even a moment in time. Films are a way for audiences to find a way of escaping reality through different genres. May it be through comedy, horror, sci-fi, thriller etc. Films have the power to influence/inspire to help people express what they want to say. 


2) Films have the capacity of being able to enrich any aspect of our lives. They are able to influence the games we enjoy, the music we play, and they inspire the fashions and advertising images that are around us. Furthermore, films impact us both commercially and socially but only to the extent of connecting with the audiences. It is the task of distributors to identify and deliver the largest possible audience for every film. In addition, tailor-made, audience-focused distribution is, and will remain, vital to the prospects of individual films, and to the industry as a whole, whatever the medium or format in question. 

3) The distributor’s challenge is to bring each one to market by:

• identifying it's audience
• considering why they’d go and see it 
• estimating the revenue potential across all the formats of its release 
• persuading exhibitors (cinema operators) to play the film 
• developing plans and partnerships to build awareness of and interest in the film 
• aiming to convert as much interest as possible into cinema visits

4) The UK has 6 major distributors and many independent distributors, who tend to make films outside the major studios.

5) Larger studios may often work with major producers, and get ‘first look’ deals on the films they want to produce, and particularly with big budget blockbusters, a studio will sell off the international rights to another major international distributor. Distributors normally look for distinguishable features in order for the film to sell and become a success. Sometimes, distributors tend to launch films at big events, such as international festivals where critics will discover them. 

6) Distributors sign a formal contract with the producer, sales agent or studio, specifying the rights they hold in respect of the title. These normally include the right to release it in UK cinemas and promote it in all media before and during its release.

7) A distribution plan needs to be prepared.

8) Distributors have to make many important decisions during the process of releasing a film, for example when and how to release a film in order to optimise its chances. When distributors have estimated what a film may earn, they prepare a budget to release it. As with every business plan, the goal is to recoup the costs and turn a profit.

9) A distributors job is to create visibility and to raise enough awareness and interest in a film to persuade potential audiences to buy tickets to go and see it at the nearest cinema.The marketing plan – produced to complement the overall distribution plan – is designed to navigate a route to market that allows interest to peak as the film opens in cinemas. 

10) The last step of film distribution is making sure everything is protected and licensed in prevention of anyone trying to make copies. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 

Distributor: Focus Features 

Budget: $20 million

Box Office: $72.3 million

Donnie Darko-

Distributor: Pandora Cinema and Newmarket Films

Budget: $3.8 million

Box Office: $5 million

Boyhood-

Distributor: IFC Productions 

Budget:$2.4 million

Box Office: $4 million

Curzon Artificial Eye-  was founded in 1976 are the UK's leading independent film distributors. They specialise mainly in foreign and art house films. Since 2006 Curzon Artificial Eye have been a part of Curzon World. 

                                                         Kiss of the Spider Woman

This trailer is very film noir, the non-diegetic music is parallel to this. The low-key lighting stood out the most for me, and its's something that we could consider for our production. 

Still Alice 

This trailer has many different shots, it has long shots which we could definitely use in our production. This trailer has shown me that it's important to have a strong story line in order to captivate your audiences. 

Exhibition: Arthouse cinemas

Electric Cinema - This cinema is based on Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED. This cinema is known for being an arthouse cinema. However, this cinema does show some mainstream films, for example this week they're showing; The Hunger Games MockingJay pt 2, Bridge of Spies and The Dressmaker. However, it also shows films that aren't on big cinema's like Vue. 

I think this cinema targets elderly people aged 35+, the cinema is quite sophisticated and therefore would also appeal to middle-classed people who are more capable of affording to go out, to places like the Electric Cinema. 

ArtHouse Crouch End- This cinema is based in Tottenham Ln, London, UK N8 9BT. This is also known for being an Arthouse Cinema, it shows films like, Lady In The Van, Room and The Danish Girl. However, it also shows mainstream films such as, Joy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which are more well-known. This cinema also has a Kids Club where every Sunday Morning and throughout school holidays, ArtHouse hosts Kids’ Club. Each week a film is chosen where both adults and kids pay only £1. 

I think this cinema would appeal to a wide range of people, as it shows films that aren't too well known as well as mainstream films, which may appeal to the older generation. Furthermore, it shows the mainstream films, which may appeal to the younger generation who keep up to date with the new movies that are out. 

Film London and Microwave Film

1. Film London is a film and media agency, it's purpose is to help develop London into a international film-making and film cultural Capital. All screenings in London include, television, film, commercials and upcoming new interactive media. Film London is a non-for-profit agency primarily supported by national and regional government. They also receive project grants from a number of other organisations.
2. The purpose of Microwave Film is to help develop projects that are shortlisted. It also helps these projects financially, the scheme's purpose is to challenge film-makers to shoot a full length film for up to £100,000 with cash and support. 
3. The London Calling project delivers training and expert mentoring to help the completion of London's films. The highlights of the scheme include: 15 short films are awarded a maximum of £4, training and mentoring is provided to all film-making teams. 
4. 
   

Ill Manors

Ill Manors fits an arthouse/independent film. It's set in London and seems like a low-budget film. Throughout the trailer, there aren't many scenes that would cost a lot to make and therefore fits an arthouse/independent film. Its a British crime drama, which would be targeted at young teens/adults aged 16-25. 

Liting

This film fits the profile of an arthouse film, as it seems like a low-budget production. Also, the film contains some parts of foreign language, which fits the profile of an arthouse film. In my opinion, I think the target audience for this film would be 18-35. I think it would appeal to a younger generation as it involves homosexuality. 

Freestyle

Freestyle fits into an arthouse genre as it's British, low-budget film. There aren't many stunts in this film either, which emphasises that this is a low-budget film. I think the target audience for this film would be targeted towards a younger generation, mainly aged between 16-20. 

Learner Response

WWW: You pick out some good aspects from the production and your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses is pretty honest and accurate.

EBI: However, you haven’t completed the task – there are only 400 words here and 500 was the absolute minimum. Written English is poor in places – I don’t think you have proof-read this work and overall this lack of attention to detail is extremely disappointing. In fact, I’m starting to become quite worried you will underachieve in Media – this is way below what we expect and your Film Language assessment was an E grade. A pattern is developing that you need to actively address – if you want a good grade in Media you need to change the way you work and do it quickly. For this evaluation, you write a lot about the process but don’t analyse the production as a media text. For the real evaluation in March you must consider the impact on audience and deconstruct the aspects of film language in detail.

LR: 

• I will need to re-read over my work.
• Make sure what I talk about is more detailed, e.g, the different aspects of film language.
• I need to consider the impact of the audiences.
• Instead of writing about the process, I need to analyse the production as a media text.