Film Pitch - Pre and Post Focus Group

Focus Group Feedback

The focus group involved us producing a detailed film pitch for the complete 30-minute film and presenting it to the class for feedback. We had to outline all the key details about our film from the title to the narrative structure. In order to do this we used the MEST 2 Film Pitch template and provided answers to all the titles listed. This can be found in the above power point where I provided the film pitch information prior to the focus group. This is accompanied by the appropriate changes after the focus group and some basic information on Schizophrenia, which is the mental illness that we will be portraying. 

Key quotes from pitch (WWW's & EBI's)

• "Positioning of the three minute extract within a 30 minute film may be a little bit confusing as it is all about montages and flashbacks" 
• "Seems as though we are positioning or extract at the start of the final act the Denouement"

Starts off with all these enigma codes and then our extract comes in at the start of the denouement and unravels all those mysteries provides the answers to the audience. 

• "Extract will have a lot of emotional power and intensity"
• "How are we going to present Schizophrenia in our extract?"
• " Do some research into films with dream sequences"
• “A lot of editing tricks that can be used to produce a really powerful sequence i.e. jump cuts, voice over’s etc."
• "Is there a danger with the idea that we could be reinforcing those negative stereotypes about mental illness?"
• " We could raise awareness about the mental illness but trend a careful path about schizophrenia"
• "Think about who we are going to cast and how we are going to cast them"
• "Speak to Mr Artus, to find out the best ways to portray mental illness"

Overall, the concept good for the art house audience, which will definitely appeal to them as it, is deals with very deep emotional issues. 

What I learnt from the discussion?

From the discussion with the class, I learnt a number of things like how to ensure that we do not reinforce the negative stereotypes about mental illness. Taking the comment on board I think that it will allow us to make sure that we portray it in the right way possibly through a dream sequence. In addition, through a combination of both the preliminary production and the class discussion I have learned how to balance the lighting in the filming better. I also learnt how to use the emotional intensity aspect of the extract to its full potential in order to engage the typical art house audience and keep them guessing at the same time. 

Full target audience breakdown

Age: 15-26 years

Middle/working class 

AB 

Psycho graphic groups: Strugglers, Succeeders, Explorers

Male/Female split: 60% - Female, 40% Male

Interests: Psychological/psychology - how the mind works, drama and bookworms  

Documentary Narrative - Revolves around the central theme of mental illness specifically schizophrenia.  

    

BBFC Research

Task:

1) Research the BBFC: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.
3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.
4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?
5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Choose one 15-rated film from the BBFC case studies section and summarise the classification the film was given and why. 


1) The BBFC are responsible for the national classification and censorship of all films shown in the United Kingdom. BBFC is a non governmental organisation and funding comes from the fees it charges for its services. The fees are calculated by measuring the running time of films,DVD's/videos and other work which is submitted for classification.The BBFC has three links to the government:

 iRights provides a framework of five simple rights by which everyone – parents, teachers, corporations, governments, technology companies and young people themselves, can interrogate how they interact with young people in the digital world.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute is a professional membership association formed in 1881. It represents trading standards professionals working in the UK and overseas - in local authorities, the business and consumer sectors and in central government. 

Get It Right From A Genuine Site is a Government backed campaign designed to help you get music, TV, films, games, books, newspapers, magazines and sport from genuine sites and support UK creativity.

2) BBFC - How films are rated? Summary

Films rating are reached by consensus; with the Director, the President and the two Vice Presidents taking ultimate responsibility. Examiners view material in the same way that audiences are likely to view it so that it is a fair and accurate judgement. Examiners view films in the BBFC’s cinema: to reproduce the effect that sound levels and special effects will have on audience. DVD’s in the BBFC’s viewing rooms on a plasma screen. Watching the material the examiners produce a report logging details of what they watch which include:

•     General Context: Plot, characters, outline of individual scenes
•     Timings of key moments, including camera angles and types of shots
•     Bad Language and sex and/or drug references
• 
  

Once in possession of these notes a report will be produced with a synopsis of the work, details of the issues and an argument in support of the recommended age rating.    

Step by Step

1.       Watch the submitted material

2.       Make generalized notes

3.       Produce a report on the material

4.       The Board will then look at the requested age rating if any

5.       Using the BBFC’s published guidelines an age rating is decided

6.       Distributor notified of decision   

3) The debate is stating that works should be allowed to reach the widest audience for their theme and treatment and adults should be allowed to choose what they see provided it remains within the laws of the United Kingdom. The BBFC's principles to decide this are:

1. Whether the material is in conflict with the law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
2. Whether the material, either on its own, or in combination with other content of a similar nature, may cause any harm at the age rating concerned. 
3. Whether the availability of the material, at the age group concerned, is clearly unacceptable to broad public opinion.
4. The context in which an issue (such as sex, language or violence) is presented is central to the question of its acceptability.
5. The overall tone of a work may also affect the final decision. 
6. Alongside considering the relevant legislation, the main age rating issues that need to be taken into account include:

Violence

Sex

Sexual Violence

 Drugs

 Horror

Imitable 

• Language

Discrimination

4) The Dark Knight film generated so much media coverage when it was rated a 12A. This is because their were a lot of complaints from members of the public. Many members of the public thought the violence was to strong to be contained in a 12A category. As I haven't actually watched Dark Knight I don't think I could really give my opinion as to whether the 12A certificate is appropriate. However, after watching the trailer for the film I would agree with the 12A certificate for the film as it had moderate references to violence and it also made moderate threat references. This means that there are physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. 

5) Guidelines for a 15 Certificate Film

 6) ADULTHOOD

Adulthood was given a 15 certificate classification for many reasons, to begin Adulthood uses strong language which is permitted at a 15 certificate. Also, the sex and sex references were contained at a 15 as images were detailed but nudity has been restricted. Adulthood is also contained at a 15 certificate because there are references to violence. The references of violence contain it at a 15 certificate because there is strong violence but it doesn’t inflict any pain or injury to the other party. Finally, there are also references of sexual violence but these meet the requirements to be too contained at a 15 certificate. The detail to the sexual violence scenes is restricted which aligns to BBFC Guidelines that sexual violence in 15 certificate films should be discreet and justified by the content.    

Film London and Microwave Film

A case study in independent film production 

1) What is Film London and why does it exist?

2) What is the purpose of Microwave Film?
3) What is the London Calling project for Film London and how does it encourage independent filmmaking?

4) Choose three feature films funded by Microwave Film and embed their trailers in your blog. For each film, explain why it fits the profile for an arthouse or independent film and what target audience the film might attract.

5) Watch these top tips for film production. List three things you've learned from these short videos that you can apply to your MEST2 production work. 

1)Film London is the capitals film and media agency. They sustain, promote and develop London as a major international film making and film cultural capital. This includes film,television,video,commercials and new interactive media. 

2) The purpose is to support all shortlisted candidates projects as well as finance and distribution support. Microwave challenges first time film makers to make a feature film on a budget of £150,000
3) London calling is a continuation and expansion of the London Borough of Film fund. It is open to all new and emerging film makers and runs across nine months. The scheme highlights  of:

• 15 short films are awarded a maximum of £4,000 
• Training and mentoring is provided to all film making teams
• Match Funding can be sought for any film being produced through London calling

4) Borrowed Time

Freestyle

The Britsh Guide to Showing Off

These three films fit the profile of arthouse films because they were all independently produced with small budgets. They also fit the profile of art house film because they are targeted at niche markets and typically don't make as large a profit scale. The third way in which I am able to identify that these films fit the profile of a arthouse film is that they used less commonly known and amateur actors. Most actors that are starting out use arthouse films to get recognized.  

5) After watching the three short films I have learnt: 

• Not to over complicate your concept -- Stick to what you know and build from there making it interesting and engaging as you go
• Don't have too many things going on in the script
• Take constructive criticism on board and learn from it as the first drafts and ideas may not always be the best
•  Use what is around me to make the film interesting
• Ensure that everything is carefully planned out from pre production to distribution
• Clear understanding of who the audience and genre is as it creates a structure for you to follow
• Clearly communicate what you are trying to say
• Visual affects added during editing aren't essential to making sure that the film is successful, some of the best clips come straight from the camera and how you use it 

Arthouse Institution Research - Distribution

Task - Distribution
2) Summarise the 10 steps of film distribution in a list using your own words.

3) Now research the distributors for each of the arthouse films you have analysed for your existing product research. Who distributed each film in the UK?

4) How many cinemas did each film open in?

5) How much money did each film make? Did it make a profit against the budget?

6) Research Curzon Artificial Eye. Who are they and what do they do?

7) Look at the Curzon Artficial Eye YouTube channel. Watch three trailers for recent or upcoming independent films and identify something you can learn from each film to use in your own film production.

The 10 steps of film distribution are:

11)    There needs to be a clear idea for the film, but this doesn’t have to be a final decision yet. The idea can sometimes be based on material that already exists such as a novel. An example, would be the TV series Pretty Little Liars which is based on the series of books by Sara Sheppard.

22)    Identify and then finalize the target audience for the film and ensure that you incorporate things that appeal to them

33)    Public Relations stage: Build relationships with cinema companies who are going to screen the film. Also, the budget and the estimated profit margins should be worked out

44)    Find a film distributor to support the film; they would handle everything outside of the studio. Film distributors acquire films through a third party sales agent who acts on behalf of the producer

55)     A formal contract gets drawn up and signed by both parties consenting to the film distributor releasing the film

66)    Plan and finalize the marketing for the film: How are you going to make audiences aware of the film (Billboards, trailer etc) & all pre production work is done at this stage

77)    Decide upon a release date which is then communicated with the film distributor; have meetings with the film distributors to make sure they know what the film is about to ensure that they can sell it to customers. Encouraging customers to see the film

88)    Communicate with BBFC and have the certificate of the film finalized

99)    Advertise the film: Social media is heavily used as some producers and film distributors release ‘Sneek peaks’ which reveal some content of the film and entice audiences

110) Ensure that everything is licensed and protected to prevent people distributing the film through illegal means  

3)A Clockwork Orange - There were many distributors of A Clockwork Orange but the main distributor was Columbia Warner Distributors. The names of the other distributors can be found on the IMDB website.

Frida - Miramax Film Distributors 

Boyhood – IFC Films, Universal Studios, 20^th Century Fox, United International Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Diaphana Distribution

The Graduate - United Artists, Embassy Pictures and Studio Canal

Donnie Darko – Newmarket Films and United Artists and Pandora Cinemas

4) A Clockwork Orange -  The film was released in 1972 but Kubrick withdrew the film from British Cinemas a year later as many people were concerned about the level of sexual violence in it

Frida - Limited cinema release

Boyhood -  

The Graduate - 

Donnie Darko - Limited release concerns about level of violence 

5)  A Clockwork Orange - Budget: $2,200,000 Gross:£1,675,124 Opening Weekend:£618,615

Frida - Budget: $12,000,000 Gross:$14,164,253 Opening Weekend: $205,996

Boyhood - Budget: $4,000,000 Gross:$25,359,200 Opening Weekend: $387,618

The Graduate - Budget: $3,000,000 Gross:$104,397,102 Opening Weekend: $873

Donnie Darko - Budget: $4,500,000 Gross:$727,883 Opening Weekend: $110,494

6) The Curzon Artificial Eye is the UK's leading inderpendant film distributor. They release critically acclaimed films to discerning UK audiences by some of the worlds greatest directors. 

7) The Choir Trailer

From this trailer I think that the use of the medium close ups is something that we can use in our production. Our idea is to have a character with schizophrenia. So I think medium close ups will help emphasize the characters expressions therefore appealing to the audiences emotional side. 

This clip is from a film which is due to be released this month, called Ice and Sky. From this clip I learn't how to make a tracking shot and long shot work in sequence to create a affect on the audience. I also think that this film has used montage editing which means that it doesn't necessarily convey a linear narrative.

This clip is from a movie called 'Mia Madre', the technique that I can take from it and use in my groups production is the interesting use of lighting. It uses a variety of lighting techniques such as low and high key lighting which I think can create good dramatic effects and suture the audience into the narrative.

Arthouse film institution research - Exhibition

Task - Exhibition
Find some London-based arthouse cinemas and research the following:
1) What is the name of the cinema? Where is it?
2) What type of films do they show? What films are on this week? How do their programmes differ from the major cinema chains like Vue? 
3) What type of audience attends this kind of arthouse cinemas? Are there any clues on the website regarding the target audience? How can you tell?

• Electric Cinema - 191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED
• The Phoenix Cinema - 52 High Rd, London N2 9PJ
• The BFI Southbank - South Block, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XT
• Everyman Baker Street -  96-98 Baker St, London W1U 6TJ
• Greenwich Picture House - 180 Greenwich High Rd, London SE10 8NN

Electric Cinema

The Electric Cinema shows a variety of films, and was designed specifically for motion picture exhibition. The cinema is known for showing a variety of low budget independent films but also runs other events and is available for private hire. This month, The Electric Cinema is showing the following films:

•          Bridge of Spies (12A) -  Friday 4^th December & Saturday 5^th December
•          Home Alone (PG) -  Saturday 5^th December: Kids Club
•          Grandma (15) -  Sunday 6^th December: Members Preview
•          The Lobster (15) -   Monday 7^th December :Electric Scream!, Electric Access
•          Carol (15) -  Friday 11^th December
•          The Dressmaker (12A) -   Friday 11^th December

There are many other films that the cinema is showing at this link of the Electric's website.

The Phoenix Cinema 
The Phoenix Cinema company believes that it is the centre for independent cinema,art and digital culture. They show a variety of films which range from the best low budget independent films to the latest Hollywood blockbusters in their two modern cinema screens. As well as showing a variety of films The Phoenix Cinema regularly organizes festivals and events. 

Some of the films that they are showing this month include:

•   Sunset Song (15) - Saturday 5th December 
•   Carol (15) - Saturday 5th December
•   Bolshoi:The Lady of the Camellias - Sunday 6th December
•   Q&A with Barry Purves 'The Naked Animator' - Friday 12th December

The Phoenix Cinema also holds regular festivals and events: These are for all age ranges from young children through to adults. This months events include:

• Toddler Time - Tuesday's 11am - Parents can introduce their toddlers to the world of film
• Screen Writer Q&A  - Monday 14th December

The BFI Southbank

The BFI shows films from all over the world particularly critically acclaimed historical & specialized films. It shows those films that might otherwise not get a cinema screening with major cinema chains.

Some of the films being shown this month are:

• Murder in Pacot - 5th December 
• Doctor Zhivago - 5th December
• An Affair to Remember - 5th December
• True Romance - 10th December 
• Lumumba - 6th December 

The BFI company also runs BFI IMAX which are both located along the Southbank. IMAX is the biggest cinema screen in Britain and is a completely immersive experience with a programme ranging from the latest IMAX blockbusters to world class alternative content and educational presentations.

The BFI Southbank also holds multiple events and festivals the most popularly known one being THE LONDON FILM FESTIVAL. It is the UK's largest public film event screening more than 300 features and documentaries from as many as 50 countries.

Everyman Baker Street

This arthouse cinema is popular for couples to see some low budget interdependent films. However, they also accommodate for families at with a second cinema located in Hampstead. From the website I believe that the target audience is adults as the films shown have been certificated as 12A and upwards. 

Some of the films shown this month include:

• Brooklyn - 5th December 
• Suffragette - 7th December
• Bridge of Spies  - 6th December 
• Carol - 5th December 
• Christmas, It's a wonderful life - 13th December

Greenwich Picture House

This arthouse cinema shows its customers a mixture of titles. It shows them some which would be shown at major competitors cinemas and others which are low budget interdependent films. However, in terms of the target audience I think that it is targeted mainly upwards of Young Adults from the age of around 14+. The clues of the website led me to make the conclusion because from their current showing programme all the films are rated as 12A and upwards.

Some of the films they are showing today include:

• Bridge of Spies - 12A
• Carol - 15
• Lady in the Van -  12A
• Black Mass -  15
• The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 - 12

How are these five arthouse cinemas different to major chains like VUE?

Between the programmes of the major cinema chains and the five arthouse cinemas that I have looked at I have noticed many differences.The programmes are different because the major cinema chains show 5+ films each day per screen at  different times.Whereas the independent arthouse cinemas show only 1 or 2 films each day. However, in my opinion I think that the arthouse cinemas show less films per day because their film selections are of a longer duration and sometimes only target specific audience demographics. Although, for arthouse cinemas I think it is a lot harder to make people want to come back and watch other films. 

Arthouse film institution research - Production:Independent film Studios

Production: Independent film studios

1) Look back at the five films you have analysed for your existing product research. Find which studios made them – e.g. Film Four, Studio Canal, BFI, BBC Films etc.
2) What other films do these studios produce? Can you find any any other independent, arthouse or low-budget examples?
3) Do the studios have any notable successes? What is the most successful low-budget or independent film the studio has released?

A Clockwork Orange

1)Produced by one of Warner Bros Studios subsidiaries which is "Warner Independent Pictures" and Hawk Films (As Hawk Films Limited)

2) Some other films produced by Warner Independent Pictures and Hawk Films are: 

• Clubland (Warner)
• Snow Angels(Warner)
• The Astronaut Farmer(Warner)
• Barry Lyndon(Hawk Films)
• The Shining (Hawk Films)
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb(Hawk Films)

3) The most notable success of Warner Independent Pictures is that the first film it released was 'Before Sunset' and the subsidiary financed,produced,acquired and distributed feature films largely budgeted under $20 million.

Frida

1)The main producing studio of Frida is Handprint Entertainment 

2) The filmography of Handprint is:

• Celebrity Autobiography 
• The Tyra Banks Show
• In the Game
• Jennifer Lopez in concert 
• Love Song 

3) Handprint Entertainment was originally named 'Pollack Entertainment' after its founder Jeff Pollack. Most films or TV series produced by Handprint don't have a run time of over 60 minutes. Handprint Entertainment has also one several awards for the various films they produced before the brand was discontinued after the death of its founder

Boyhood

1) Produced by IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction 

2) Some of the films produced by these studios are: 

• Dead and Lonely (IFC)
• The Baxter (IFC)
• The Ballad of Jack and Rose (IFC)
• Levelland (Detour)
• Slacker (Detour)
• The Newton Boys (Detour)

3) Detour Film Productions have won numerous awards for the films they have created:
-- Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Award 
--Academy Award Nomination 
IFC Productions has also had a few nominations and awards over the years for their work from the Film Independent Spirit Awards 

The Graduate

1) Produced by Lawrence Turman (A Mike Nichols/Lawrence Turman Production)

2) The films produced by this studio are:

• The Long Way Home
• The Great White Hope
• Pretty Poison

3) Lawrence Turman and Mike Nichols have received many awards respectively for their work in the independent film industry. The vast majority of their films have always sold out upon release. 

-- Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture (Turman)
--PGA Hall Of Fame - Motion Pictures (Turman)
-- AFI Life Achievement Award (Nichols)
--Tony Award for Best Musical (Nichols)
--Kennedy Center Honors (Nichols)
--BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film

Donnie Darko

1) Produced by Pandora Cinema, Flower Films (II), Adam Fields Productions and Gaylord Films 

2) Some of the films produced by the individual studios are:

• Welcome to Collinwood (Pandora)
• A Walk to Remember (Pandora)
• How to Be Single (Flower)
• Happy Camp (Flower)
• S.Darko (Adam)
• Brokedown Palace (Adam)
• Duma (Gaylord)
• White Oleander (Gaylord)

3) Pandora

- 1982 Frankfurt based cinema operators Karl Baumgartner and Reinhard Brundig established Pandora Film Distribution

- First big commercial breakthrough was with Jane Campion's THE PIANO

-The original concept of presenting fantastic cinematographic masterpieces to German audiences paid off as PANDORA CINEMA is now one of the most distinguished independent film makers to date

Flower Films   

Grown to become one of the most successful film companies to produce low budget independent films for the pleasures of the arthouse audience. Founded by Drew Barrymore and Nancy Juvonen 

Adam Fields Productions
After doing some research I wasn't able to find much information but most films that this production company have been involved in or singularly produced have sold out.

DONNIE DARKO HAS RECIEVED NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS AND WAS VERY HIGHLY RATED BY CRITICS.