Channel 4: Film4 research

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/film-4-renaissance-set-to-continue-1964118.html

http://www.channel4.com/info/corporate/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tessa-ross-the-tv-executive-who-is-the-mother-of-british-filmmaking-1419139.html

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/840487/index.html

http://www.film4.com/film4-productions

1. What is Film4's remit (ideology/purpose for existing)?
2. Why is Tessa Ross regarded as "the mother of British Film-making" and how is this important for the success of Film4?
3. What is the future for Film4?

Distribution and marketing, exhibition

Distribution and Marketing
the process through which films are delivered to audiences by:
* booking showings into cinema schedules,
* delivering copies of film reels through shipping and van delivery, or through digital download,
* creating marketing campaigns: posters, trailers, web coverage, tv appearances from lead actors, preview evenings, press packs, radio, social networking, competitions, imaginative and innovative use of advertising through synergy with other brands, oversee successful and profitable DVD release, obtain BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) certificate and ensure films are exhibited at the most profitable time of year for that film.

Exhibition
how films are viewed by audiences:
* in cinemas,
* at home on DVD/download/netflix,
* box office figures for 1st week of exhibition,
* audience reviews: film critics, audience comments on social media,
* awards in festivals: BAFTAS, Oscars etc.

Convergence
when two different technologies or types of media join together e.g. online radio podcasts, catch up tv online, internet access on mobile phone etc...

Using the elements of the definitions outlined above, create a distribution, marketing and exhibition mind map for the film Slumdog Millionaire. 

How was the film distributed? What problems did they face?
US Distributors: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/

How was it filmed? What Academy Awards, Oscars and other awards did it win? What is significant about this, being filmed digitally?

Danny Boyle on digital filming:


Info about the camera he is talking about and the filming process:
http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/
http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/News/PR_01_31_09_Slumdog.html

Info about what a gyroscope is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope
What does this tell us about the use of old and new technology for modern film making? Use the key term convergence in your answers...

How does filming using digital technology compare, cost wise, to using a full film crew and camera set-up? What implications does this have for film-making?
Is this reflected in the distribution and marketing stages? What conclusions can you draw about the use of digital technology and the impact on the film making process?

Web 2.0 - Gauntlett

Conventional research methods are replaced—or at least supplemented by new methods which recognise and make use of people's own creativity, and brush aside the outmoded notions of 'receiver'    audiences     and elite  'producers'.

(Gauntlett, 2007a: 4)

Institutions and synergy

Process of film making
Production
Distribution and marketing
Exhibition and consumption

New terminology:

Institution
Synergy

Definitions:

Institution: any company that is involved in the production, distribution, marketing or exhibition of films.

Your mini research tasks:
* What is the name of Channel 4's Film branch? What films has this institution produced?
* What has the institution Working Title produced?
* What have Vertigo Films produced?

Synergy:
* Sometimes film institutions need to join with other institutions to distribute/market the film - who did Channel Four use to distribute Slumdog Millionaire?
* Who do Working Title have links with as their US distributor?
* How does this type of synergy benefit institutions?

Audience profiles

Demographics - This defines the audience largely by the work that they do. It breaks the population down into 6 groups, and labels them by using a letter code to describe the income and status of the members of each group.

Psychographics – This is a way of defining an audience by looking at the behaviour and personality traits of its members. Psychographics labels a particular type of person and makes an assessment about their viewing and spending habits.

Institutions

The media have been called the ‘consciousness industries’. Over and above the products they sell, via advertising, they also promote ways of thinking and ways of seeing or understanding, the world. The media are engaged in the production and distribution of states of mind.

Below are some visual representations of institutions that you will be familiar with.  Your task is to use the definition of ‘institution’ to list the ideology (belief system)/values of each institution (the first has been done for you to give you an idea).

INSTITUTION: a system of principles or rules in an organisation that controls the views of a large amount of people.  In media terms, this refers to the social, cultural and political rules that control large institutions such as the BBC, Warner Brothers, Google etc.  All these institutions have beliefs and messages that they give out to audiences – it is possible to suggest that we are controlled through the Media as a whole.

Name of institution: Church

Ideology/values: believes we should follow the teachings of the Bible to live our lives according to the rules and principles contained within.  We should avoid sin, treat others how we want to be treated ourselves etc.

Name of institution:

Ideology/values (what does this image suggest about the type of news coverage that the BBC like to promote as their main concern? Use the key vocabulary of denotation and connotation to analyse the image)

Name of institution:

Ideology/values (look closely at the background graphics in this shot – which famous London clock is displayed?  Where are the buildings in the background situated?...Compare this to the BBC above and explain what this image suggests about the type of news coverage that this institution mainly covers.  Use the key vocabulary of denotation and connotation to analyse the image)

Representation

Deconstruct the pictures below by answering these questions:

What is the usual/stereotypical representation of this area?

Does this picture conform or subvert those stereotypes?

How? Explain using key terminology: denotation, connotation, conform, subvert, representation.

AGE

DISABILITY

ETHNICITY

GENDER

REGIONALITY

SEXUALITY

SOCIAL CLASS