Film Studies homework

Why should the government fund British films?

The government should fund the British Film industry to insure that it countinues to rival the American film industry. The American film industry makes some of the most succesful films in the world and Britain needs to try and rival them.

Film 4 is a television channel which shows some of the biggest movies of all time. Film 4 benifits the film industry by promoting movies on a free tv channel where people can view them and if they enjoy them they will go out and buy them. Film 4 benifits the audience because they can watch the films before they decide to go out and buy them. They can watch the film before buying them so they can see if its worth buying. Some films they have shown in 2011 are: Slumdog Millionaire and The Whistleblower. The films which are shown on Film 4 havent got any themes just that they were all very popular on release.

Extended questions:

This weeks film releases: Haywire, J.Edgar, The Sitter.

Most of the releases are distributed by major companies like Warner Bros. and Paramount.

Film Homework

Josh Joachim

                                                                British Film Industry: Closing credits

Work.

How much is the British film industry worth?

The British film industry is currently worth £4bn.

What British films won recognition in 2011?

The British film which won recognition was ‘The Kings Speech’. Mention what The Kings Speech Won. Were any other British Film Mentioned in the article?

How many films go on to recover their production costs?

Couldn’t find the answer. Only 1 in 10 films recover initial investment.

What film was Warp Films’ biggest commercial success?

Warp Films’ biggest commercial success was the film ‘Four Lions’.

Why does Warp Films’ Mark Herbert believe that low-key, low-budget films should be supported?

Mark Herbert believes that low- budget films should be supported so they can have a chance to pull off a blockbuster. Yes he also says that young film makers need experience of working on low-budget, innovative movies to develop.

What are of the British film industry would Mark Kermode change? From your research and your knowledge – Why does he believe that change is necessary?

Mark Kermode believes that more British films should be given the chance to get a foothold in cinemas. Yes, he believes that Government money should be spent on film distribution so that British films are shown in UK cinemas

Do you believe that the government should support British film makers with tax relief and funding? If so, where should the money go? To films that have the potential to be commercially successful and reach a large audience; or films that are culturally significant but may only reach a small niche audience? Give reasons for your answer?

In my opinion the government should focus on backing British films which are not made by the big 6 film produces e.g. Warner Bros. They should focus on the films with not as much of a financial backing as these are less likely to be shown in cinemas and be advertised where it would be recognised. This would potentially be a good thing as British directors would produce films that are relevant to a British audience

Given the current political climate what do you think will happen to the British film industry over the next few years?

In my view the British Film Industry will have to come up with more ideas on lower budgets. Films like Paranormal Activity was made on a very small budget and then made a massive profit. Films like this will not always be a success but they are much more likely to become more frequent  in the new few years as investors will be more reluctant to invest their money.

Useful comments Josh. In the exam you will be expected to have opinion on film topics - so make sure that you buy and read the Mark Kermode book 'The Good, the bad and the multiplex'. Guy

Producers and Audiences Task

The film I have chosen to do is 'War Horse'.
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo.
Dreamworks Pictures
Starring: Jeremy Ervine
               Emily Watson
               David Thewlis
Written by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis - (Writer of hit tv comedy Vicar of Dibley)

Here is the official trailer for 'War Horse'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7lf9HgFAwQ

Jeremy Irvine                                                                     David Thewlis

 

                                 Emily Watson

War Horse

Production year: 2011

Country: USA

Cert (UK): 12A

Runtime: 146 mins

Directors: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, David Kross, David Thewlis, Emily Watson, Jeremy Irvine, Niels Arestrup, Peter Mullan, Toby Kebbell, Tom Hiddleston

Production Company : Dreamworks



It's not out until Christmas, but Steven Spielberg's War Horse already looks like classic Oscar bait for next year's ceremony. The first trailer for the movie, just live online, suggests a sweeping epic of the great war, replete with a veritable who's who of established and up-and-coming Brit thesp talent and backed with a stirring, grandiose score from the unmistakable John Williams.