HAGGERSTON MEDIA: 2014

Its clear that that Film Distribution is an area you guys are struggling with:

Sloan is here to help... here are some links.. again to find this information what i did was an incredibly difficult series of challenges..

1. type in google : 'Film Distribution'
2. Done

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/distribution/distribution
THE BEST INSIGHT INTO WHAT DISTRIBUTION ACTUALLY IS . READ THIS

http://www.indiewire.com/article/a2e-at-the-2013-san-francisco-international-film-festival

Is Direct Distribution the Future for Indie Film? Notes From A2E at the 2013 San Francisco International Film Festival

http://www.filmthreat.com/category/features/going-bionic/

How to distribute independent films internationally

http://www.raindance.org/10-film-distribution-basics/

An industry insider perspective of how to get the best deal for your film

http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-distribution.htm

The 'nitty-gritty' of how distribution actually works

OK, so there is no reason now for you to ever complain that you dont know what film distribution is.

What you need to do know is ...

Can you explain how your case study films were distributed?

Can you show a difference between how hollywood films and independent films are distributed?

Can you find interesting and unique examples of any films that have been distributed in interesting new ways ?

Can you explain any problems in distribution film companies are having ?

This website is excellent for up to date case studies :
http://www.launchingfilms.com/
So for all of you who couldnt be bothered to research a single independent film for your recent exam here is my attempt. Can i just also make you aware that this took me less than 10 minutes and all i did was type in :
'Selfish Giant case study' into google. Its not exactly rocket science and you are expected, as an A level student. to be able to 'research' as opposed to 'copy what you teacher gives you' !!

The Selfish Giant came out in 2013, here is the trailer:

You can actually watch the film on youtube for £1.99 if you go here : its brilliant and well worth the money
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kQ9GwBGTEY

There is a good prezi here too:
https://prezi.com/kpls_fdsd-g2/the-selfish-giant/#

The Selfish Giant Case Study

1. UK release date? 25th October 2013

2. Institutions behind the film’s production and distribution?

Production Companies

BFI Film Fund

Film4 (Funding)

Moonspun Films

Distributors

Cinéart (2014) (Netherlands) (theatrical)

Pyramide Distribution (2013) (France) (theatrical)

Sundance Selects (2013) (USA) (theatrical)

Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2014) (United Arab Emirates) (all media) (Middle East, North Africa & Iran)

Kurmaca Film (2013) (Turkey) (all media)

Rialto Distribution (2013) (Australia) (all media)

Rialto Distribution (2013) (New Zealand) (all media)

3. What’s the film’s production budget? £1.4 Million

4. Nationality of the film? British

5. What kind of production is it? Indie Film

6. Any connection with other films? None

7. Who’s the director? Clio Barnard

8. Any star names in the cast? No well known names

9. What’s the film about? A contemporary fable about two scrappy 13-year-old working-class friends in the UK who seek fortune by getting involved with a local scrap dealer and criminal, leading to tragic consequences.

What marketing techniques does the Selfish Giant film use? Posters, social media, website etc.
Facebook

Twitter

Official Website

Posters

Which cinemas was this film exhibited in?

The first exhibition was on the 16^thMay 2013 Cannes Film Festival in France. These are the current plays to watch the film in the UK.

What is the release pattern for this film i.e. when did it open in the countries it was shown?

The release date in the UKand Irelandis 25 October 2013. Other than the showing at film festivals it is also is being released in France (18^thDecember 2013) Netherlands(30^th January 2014) and Sweden (14^th March 2014).

Find examples of some positive quotes from film reviews.

The Selfish Giant is a stunning film, almost literally so in the sense that it leaves you dazed with its forensic and uncompromising depiction of Britain on the breadline, as well as it’s achingly sad ending- Daily MailThe Selfish Giant is one of the great modern British films- Finical Times

A terrific human drama about two boys about to be consigned to the scrapheap, with standout performances from its young leads-Empire Magazine

What is the budget?The budget for the film was£1.4million.

Who are the distributors of The Selfish Giant and what other types of films have they distributed?The production companies are BFI Film Fund, Film 4(The main Funders) Moonspun Films. The distributors are Cinéart (Netherlands) Pyramide Distribution (France) Sundance Selects (USA) Front Row Filmed Entertainment (United Arab Emirates) Rialto Distribution (Australia) Rialto Distribution (New Zealand). Genuinely the distributors are for short films, they showcase new directors and actors for film festivals. Most of the distributors were theatrical specialising in dramatic pieces.

What awards has it won?

Cannes Film Festival 2013

Won
Label Europa Cinemas

Clio Barnard

London Film Festival 2013

Nominated
Best British Newcomer

Actor
Conner Chapman

Actor
Shaun Thomas

Nominated
Best Film

Clio Barnard

Warsaw International Film Festival 2013

Nominated
Competition 1-2 Award

Clio Barnard

there are some very useful links to slides below:

This one below in the link looks good although its blocked in school for some reason. :

http://www.slideshare.net/Katrinabrookes/selfish-giant-production-notes?related=1

The selfish giant production breakdown from GraceSpenceley

The selfish giant from TinaHartnell

The selfish giant from JCA
This is a shark trying to eat a man . Its not real... its a film .. your exams however are real... very real and they are coming for you !
To help here are some examples of student who did well.. read them and do what they did !!

Look and learn !
Hi chaps, so this is some help for you in preparing for the section 1 part of the exam.

Remember in the exam:

§Section A- Theoretical Evaluation of Production

ú2 compulsory questions

úQ1a – about YOU – reflective evaluation of your skill development – AS & A2

úQ1b – about THE WORK – concept analysis of either AS or A2 projects

ú30 mins to write each answer – at least 2 sides per answer – write fast!

§Section B – Contemporary Media Issues - Postmodern Media

úChoice of 2 questions on WeMedia

úAnswer 1 only

ú1 hour to write answer – at least 4 sides

úAnswers must focus on at least 2 media e.g. film and music video

úAnswers must refer to the past, the present and predict for the future

Below is a specimen paper from Question 1a and b and an example answer from a student who did fairly well. I have also put a slideshow that explains the basics of the exam (its from another school but its all the same information really).

Remember the different categories of things that could come up are as follows :

1a ) how have your skills developed in relation to :
Digital Technology / Creativity / Planning + Research / Post production / Using conventions of real media texts

1b) How has your product demonstrated use of :
Genre / Narrative / Representation / Audience / Media Language

G325 exam from petefrasers
So whilst all this practical filming is going on it could be easy forget you also need to be doing theoretical research and preparing notes for an essay based exam.

our topic is 'WE-MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY' although i have been teaching you large parts of the media in the online age part of the course , as they are very closely linked and you need to know the context of the internet background stuff before you can go on to the democratic power of it.

Some key themes you will need to discuss are:

How big is the impact of the internet:
How are people collaborating more?
The change from consumer to 'pro-sumer'
Theories such as wikinomics and the long tail.
What is democracy?
How is the interent and new media more democratic than old media.
The rise of Web 2.0
Has the internet brought about more democratic changes (Lots of examples of this)
The problem with this view point. I.e why the internet hasnt changed anything
etc etc

So look down that list and think about writing a paragraph for eahc. What do you know leats about? What is proving a challenge ? This is where you need to go and research and find out facts and statistics, theories eveidence to give you things to talk about in the exam.

Questions could be something like this : (you only choose one though !)

We Media’ and Democracy

“The media have become more democratic in recent years”. Using specific examples of mediaactivity from two media to support your answer, evaluate the accuracy of this statement.

[50]

How new is the concept of ‘We Media’ ? Refer to at least two media in your answer.

[50]

Section B Total [50]

And to help you , from the markscheme for those questions the exam board said (as a very rough guide)...

Indicative Content

Candidates might explore web-logging and digital film uploading andsharing, or social networking. At a higher level, a critique of the notion of‘We Media’ is expected

Indicative Content

Candidates are likely to focus mainly upon contemporary examples suchas web-logging and digital film uploading and sharing, or social networking;however, the question demands some sense of the history of the idea ofthe democratic potential of the media, so may reference fanzines, pirateradio, pamphlets, etc. A high level response would be expected to beaccurate, detailed and show a sense of debate

Ok so the previous post on this blog is a place to add good case study links. If you need any more guidance, help etc then let me know

Good luck (i have emebedded an example essay below to help )

G325 we media june 2011 from Media Studies
So my hopes for this post is that this turns into a long list of internet links from a whole range of sources that help you find useful case studies to talk about in your We media essays in the exam.

We are looking for things that use the power of the internet and social media to make more democratic changes across the world for ordinary people.

If you find anything can you leave it as a comment on this post and i will put it up rpoerly as a link
. Lets aim for 50!!

Glossary :
http://beauchampcollegemedia.com/2011/06/16/section-b-glossary-g325-online-age-and-we-media/

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/23/erdogancaricature-cartoonists-hit-back-at-turkish-leaders-clampdown

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/protests-mark-beginning-of-coup-plot-case-against-turkish-fan-group-carsi.aspx?pageID=238&nID=75682&NewsCatID=341
Help to prepare for theory essay:
The Long Tail from Uri Levanon
G322 case study monsters from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department

G322 case study the dark knight from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department
You need to improve your knowledge about film. FACT!

This task will help. FACT!

HOMEWORK

Then you need to :

Find 3 examples of brilliant student done case studies and post them on your blog. Search in slideshare and prezi for examples with search times like 'G322 Audience and Institutions case study'OCR AS level film research'.. etc etc .

YOUR TASK: to create a case study of a Mainstream Hollywood movie from this year or last year?

Good luck
What ideas could you steal from this?

GEMS- "Sinking Stone" from BRTHR on Vimeo.
TASK 1 : Google : Wikinomics – chapter1:

2.       What epiphany led the head of gold corp to understand how his employees could find more gold?

3.       What did he do when he rushed back to his Toronto office?

4.       How much was the prize money offered and how did it result?

5.       What has brought about the ‘New world of Wikinomics?

6.       How does the ‘growing accessibility of information technologies’ change things?

7.       What are ‘The Weapons of Mass Collaboration’ ?

8. How does all this mass collaboration culture relate to Media organisations ?

9. What are some of the criticisms from people like Bill Gates ?

10. What are the main principles of Wikinomics ?

11. How much do you personally believe that online collaboration culture 'changes everything'?

TASK 2 :

The long tail theory: Chris Anderson .

Simple question really... Can you explain it ? !

TASK 3:
Now: can you watch this and make notes .....
Year 12 : Film Industry Initial Research: (www.imdb.com / www.the-numbers.com )
1. Who are the Big 6 Film Studios?
2.       Can you name 2 or 3 films for each one and how much money they made:

3.       What does the term ‘subsidiary’ mean and can you give a couple of examples.

4.       What does the term ‘Conglomerate’ mean and can you give a couple of ‘media related’ examples:

5.       Who is the parent company / Conglomerate of Warner Bros Studios? How much money do they make and which other companies and media companies do they own?

6.       How many films in the UK Yearly top 20 films were made by ‘the big 6’ ?

7.       What does the term ‘independent’ mean when related to film production? Can you give 3 examples of UK independent film production companies?

8.       Can you give 5 examples of UK independent films in the last 5 years and how much money they grossed at the box office:

9.       In your view what are the 5 main advantages (in terms of making money and success) enjoyed by the Hollywood big 6 over UK independent companies?

10.   Are there any advantages of being and independent company? Try and think of 2 or 3.

11.   Why is it difficult or risky for Independent film makers trying to be successful in the film industry ?
This video is great !! Ambigous narrative. Restricted Narrative range. Non linear.

Visually exciting. Controversial but not just stupid stuff !!

Interesting and cliche busting representations of women

And its filmed in Mexico what more do you want. I will talk about this more in class !
What grade is the pitch below?

Level 4 16–20 marks

• Planning and research evidence will be complete and detailed.

• There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience.

• There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.

• There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.

• Time management is excellent.

• There is excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.

• There are excellent communication skills.

• There is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.
This week its GONE TOO FAR. you know that film we were going to watch. Well its on at the STRATFORD PICTURE HOUSE for just £3 . Get yourself down there !

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Stratford_London/film/Cinemania_Gone_Too_Far/
•Target audience (detail) + Audience research done

•Outline of idea (in 120 characters)

•Reasons behind your choice of song

•Explanation of narrative and storyline

•Characters and casting decisions

•Props / costume (done by character and scene)

•Difficulties / problems to overcome

•Inspiration / Ideas you have stolen and why

•Plans of shoot / examples of footage taken so far.

•Artwork and storyboard examples

•Why you think this video will be successful

Get it done. No excuses !
We are going to move onto the full design task now and we need to start getting marks for pre-production evidence on our blogs.

What you need to do over half term is....

1. Research music magazines and their conventions:
This could be in a short essay form on your blog with lots of pictures.

2. Choose a Sub genre of music magazines and present some of the main titles in detail.
Title + picture of front cover + overall 'house style' + main appeals to the audience.

3. Write a short blog post titles: 'Why do people read music magazines?'
You need to analyse at least 4 or 5 different appeals.

4. For your chosen Sub-Genre (Rock, Dance, Pop etc) create a Target Audience Profile.
This should be extremely detailed:
Gender / Age / Ethnicity / Social Class / Income / Jobs / Location / Lifestyle choices / Brands / Media / Fashion etc etc

CHALLENGE: (A* students only!); Interview and video members of this target market and ask them why they buy or dont buy music magazines and try and find out what they want in a music magazine.

Pl
ease ensure that all of this is on your blog when we come back after half term as it will get you good grades !!
So then year 13s the time is now, just like that film we watched (The Wave) the time for your revolution has arrived... well maybe..if you believe Russel Brand that is :

Seeing as our exam topic is about We Media and Democracy this is 1 really useful case study so follow this story as it progresses and make notes:

http://www.theguardian.com/membership/2014/sep/19/guardian-live-with-russell-brand-broadcasting-live-around-the-uk

"On 23 October, Russell Brand, one of Britain’s most controversial public figures, will be in conversation with Guardian columnist and political writer, Owen Jones, at the Emmanuel Centre in London.
For the first time, in partnership with Picturehouse Cinemas, Russell Brand’s Guardian Live event will be broadcast live via satellite to over 200 cinemas around the UK. Audiences around the country will be able to watch the talk and join in the debate online and via Twitter. Watch the trailer.
In his new book Revolution, Brand argues that the system isn’t working, that our governments are corrupt and the opposing parties are all pointlessly similar. Is there another way or is this just ‘the way things are’?
For years, Brand has been taking on talk show hosts, Fox News fascists and BBC stalwarts and now, drawing on the likes of Orwell and Piketty, the comedian sets out his ideas for a brighter, fairer society. At this exclusive Guardian Live event, Brand will explain why he thinks revolution isn’t just possible, but inevitable.
The event has now sold out, but you can watch it broadcast live to cinemas across the UK."

You might also want to look at this

http://russellbrand.com/revolution/youtube/