Introduction of the digital distribution in the UK and the extended audience choices...

Digital Distribution: Social

Grades

Mock Essay

"Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies." Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s.

When it comes to film censorship it's difficult as many people have different views on whether films should have censorship or not. When you look at critic reviews, directors reviews and studio reviews they all have different ideas and views on whether censorship be on or not and this is the same for the audiences. For example, we studied the film The Human Centipede, we discussed with our classmates that maybe they should use some censorship on this movie as there are some gory and un-human scenes. However, we have the choice on whether we want to watch this sort of film or not. These films usually have an age rating on and they would be things such as PG, 15 or 18. However, when we go back to the 1980s there are films such as 'I Spit on your Grave' and 'Evil Dead' all banned and put under 'video nasties'. At the time of the release of these movies there was things such as VCR, this meant that people who were under the age were able to watch these movies through piracy. They were able to record the banned films via TV etc and watch them whenever they want. Also there was VHs and Beetamax too, these were a fashionable thing to have. People liked VHS more because it was affordable and then Beetamax was more expensive and of higher quality. Beetamax is an old school entertainment device, invented in the 1970s, it's a loud video cassette that was later replaced by VHS.

Referring back to the video nasties and how they came about in the 1980s was when all the horrors film were banned. This also relates back to piracy and the unregulated films. A lot of the multiplexes began to get annoyed with the pirating and how they are copying their movies. Especially seeing as they are so expensive to distribute. The multiplexes and cineplexes were in trouble when it came to piracy, they began to lose their cinema attendance and the money that comes along with it. Also, children were then able tow watch films that aren't censor-shipped as they are unregulated films and you can watch them when you please. They can watch the horror movies that had been classed under 'video nasties' because of the pirating. This could therefore influence the children/teenagers whom watch them - corrupting society via violent, gory and terrorist films. Video nasties are also popular because its controversial and extreme, and people can become intrigued by them and teenagers are the main target audience of these movies, even when the regulation of the film is high. These sort of horror movies back in the 1980s were easy and cheap to make, they all had very basic stories and had virgin teenagers and no star's involved, therefore the budget was cheap. With having these teenagers involved it then meant that the teenagers were the target audience, it'd thrill them too because it was gory and involved a sex or rape scene. Reinforcing how the teenagers could be influenced by these movies!

Furthermore, at the time when the 'video nasties' were named and grouped, there was several political issues that were around. One example is Margaret Thatcher and how she was the first woman president in the UK. Thatcher was a conservative and with her being so, she was one to think about the people who had money and were rich, rather than some of the poorer civilians. Seeing as she mostly cared about money, she didn't exactly want to spend fortunes on the 3D movies and she didn't want any form of horror movies, she wanted them stripped back and original. The government at the time of the 1980s took control and wanted to know they had control, and wanted to control what you watched, what you played, Christian Beliefs, Marriages, gays, you could say they were like the Nazi's. With the conservatives just thinking about the money, it was a difficult period for the cineplexes because they didn't have a lot of money and some began to be shut down because they didn't bring enough money in. Also another MP that caused a lot of hassle for the film world was Mary Whitehouse, she wanted to ban movies completely from the BBC because it wasn't what she wanted people to see, and she was being selfish because she didn't want to see it herself. She didn't want to watch the blood and gore, but you don't have to watch it, do you? In addition, she said that: "Britain is broken because of the video nasties." However, video nasties were exploited by the government. During the 1980s, the dawn of the home video was approaching and it was becoming more and more popular as the years grew by. By the 1990s it was the most fashionable device to use, if ever there was a film on TV you could simply tape it on your VCR and watch it whenever you want. This was all great for the people at home, however, not so much for the cineplexes. The cinema attendance began to drop dramatically and caused even more cineplexes to go down and it also meant that the age regulations don't mean a thing at home. This meant that children and teenagers were able to watch films that had age regulations of around 15-18, some that named and banned under the 'video nasties.' This was worrying for the government as they didn't know how this would influence the younger generations! To conclude, in the 1980s there was definitely a lot of fear revolving around the cineplexes, typically because the way in which young teenagers and children could be influenced by these types of horror films and how they may or may not have cause them to try something from those films. Another fear would be whether the cineplexes would be taking in enough money to keep going, whilst Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse were around with the different views on the 'video nasties' and how they didn't want some films shown on TV and in the cineplexes. This was potentially the biggest threat to the cineplexes and meant that they could have shut down by the dramatic fall in cinema attendances. The same age regulations apply to films to this day, films such as Human Centipede is a film that makes audiences side on whether it should be shown or not. There is also still a fear that young teenagers who are under the age consent are watching these films online on pirated sites, such as megaupload, many government members to this day fear what some teenagers may do, but that's just stereotypical. I reckon that we are de-sensitized by these horror films now, simply because the 1980s Horror films were so low budget and sometimes shocking. Especially when we watch the new, remakes that are mainstream and we go back to the 1980s, it's nothing. We have become so familiar with these types of films that yes, we have been de-sensitized by them.

I don't think that films should be censortised as such, it's your choice as to whether you want to see that movie, you tend to make up your decision by watching the trailer or reading reviews. With the mainstream remakes, the directors of the 1980s are now critically appreciated by many and they are getting more praise now to what they used to get. Overall, the film censorship is definitely motivated by fears, because the more the audience don't like it and find it gory, the more gory the film directors would make them. They'll then draw you in with special effects nowadays and try to intrigue you with the special effects and the horrific stories.

How is the resurgence of 3D a response to the film industry's fees of Internet piracy?

Studio View's

3D context.

Diversity vs Choice

The range of movies that are being shown are little compared to the amount of show rooms. Example. There may be 12 show rooms, but they'll only play 6 and they'd usually be blockbusters or films that are generally the same. Mostly CGI, special effects, visual effects films. People like the idea of a massive event so they go and see the film, no matter what it is because of the high use of technology.

Connect answers to the questions...

1. When was the first Multiplex in the UK?
-1985

2. What was the cinema attendance like in this time?
-The venue was an instant success, the increased choice of films, state of the art tech', free parking space and different varieties of snacks on sale, made an immediate impact on the fallen British Cinema Market. The point sold 2m tickets in its first two years, a miracle.

3. What films were being played in the new Multiplexes? (Name and year)
-The Breakfast Club 1985
-Jaws 1975
-The Godfather 1972
-Whos that girl 1987
-Godzilla 1985

4. How were these Multiplexes encouraging audiences to go to the cinema?
-Newly converted multiplexes were big. Spacious and had new screens which delivered films with a high quality compared to the flea pits. Multiplexes main audience were teenagers. Most likely age group to go and visit the cinema. They are attracted by their fast food, free parking and they made the films looks interesting Visual effects.

5. Where are these Multiplexes built instead of the High Street and why?
-They are built in shopping centers around restaurants arcades and other things people can spend money on, also they are always in a big area so they can fit in as Many screens as they can.

6. What happened to audience leisure patterns that meant 'Fleapit' cinemas lost popularity?
-The reason why the fleapits were losing popularity is because the audiences and people saw the poor cinema sounds and picture quality they had, had run down and were increasingly bad compared to the multiplex.

7. What advantages did Multiplexes offer cinema audiences and film distributors over Fleapits?
-Multiplexes had good and arcade places which meant they could spend loads of time there and social and multiple screens to maximise profits

8. What reasons was cinema attendance low? (Technologies and Audience Leisure Patterns)
-People got VCR players which meant the stayed at home: it was seen as a new trend. Piracy came into effect.

Fleapit and Multiplexes

Technology:
several-screens-in-a-shed phenomenon
the point - with ten screens, the UK's first true multiplex- had arrived
start-of-the-art technology (made an impact on british market)



Economic:
copious free parking space
a vast array of snacks on sale (made an impact on the british market)
The point sold 2m tickets in its first two years



Social:
Mid-80s - cinema attendance was in the doldrums
The impact the Point had: "You couldn't move in the foyer on a Saturday night. There were so many people there waiting for shows to start."
increased choice of films (impact on british market)
a miracle in a climate that had seen the national cinema attendance drop to just 55m by 1984 (the peak had been 1.6bn in 1946)

Why did the 1980s see the decline of Fleapit cinemas and emergence of the Multiplex? Give reasons linking to the Production, Distribution & Exhibition of Blockbusters and their popularity.

In the 1980's they saw a major decline of Fleapit cinemas and the emergence of the multiplex because a lot more people enjoyed spending their time in a cinema, where you can waste the time before the film in either the food courts or the arcades. This made it far more enjoyable for the children and this brought many parents in to see films as well, spending more money, getting more profit on the films as children need parental guidance. Also the distribution of the films began to change as more multiplex cinemas emerged, as they cannot afford to send around roll after roll of film, instead they began to email and send their films via internet which was far more easier, however, this didn't happen until around the 1990's. They definitely contemplated on new ways in the 1980's on how they can send around the films and make it easier and far more efficient and cheaper. The exhibition side of the rise of multiplexes is where they have a certain amount of showcases, such as 12 show rooms which only show 6 movies. The 6 key blockbusters that everyone would be raving about and wanting to see. 

3 Contexts:

Star Wars: Economic:
-Merchandise such as, m&m chocolates 'the rise of the dark chocolate' and 'the empire'.
-Special Effects
-Empire strikes back figurines
-20 billions dollars received from merchandise
-Video games
-Star Wars Christmas Album
-Scarfs
-Perfumes and Orlando cologne
-Costumes: Jar Jar Binks face/mask and tongue

Jaws: Social:
-Every film has the same formula, several or more films are seen as the same, only character names, locations and small details are changed.
-Marketability: soundtracks, tie-ins pop music, star vehicles and franchises and consumer goods.
-Good versus evil.
-Lost love, war, fear, life and death, family and honour.

Global appeal:
-Weather, global warming, love story 'the perfect story'.
-Brokeback mountain: gay cowboys don't fill cinemas.

Good vs Evil: Terroists etc.

Culture nature:
-Offends nobody, avatar!
-Love interest: sex sells, romeo and juliet.
-Simple characteristics: stereotypes, straightforward.
-The star: Tom Hank - Toy Story
-E.T. Director: Spielberg for instance, known to have ace films, appeals.

Blockbuster: Key: Profit and box office receipts, sales.

Technology: Star Wars:
LUCASARTS - Bioware - Finite Arts - GAMES
SKYWALKER SOUND - Fight Club - Finding Nemo - SOUNDS
GEOGE LUCAS (lucasfilms) - Empire Strikes back - Return of the Jedi - Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Episode II: The Phantom Menace - Episode III - FILMS
INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC - Alien, Avid, Pixar, Terminator 2, Harry Potter, Forrest Gump, Spiderman 2 - EFFECTS

Comprehension Task

Question 8: Describe the rise of Cineplex and the resulting changes to film distribution:
The rise of cineplex started out with previous trends such as 'buddy film', 'the vigilante film,' and 'the disaster film', these were then late driven out and replaced with slapstick comedies, space operas, slasher films, remakes and youth films. Later on in the 21st Century, we began to lose touch of these types of films and now we tend to just watch films for their CGI and special effects as they appeal to a wider audience. However, this has caused the rise in cineplex to become more popular and films have become more popular over the recent years. Although, with this happening and with the film companies getting their money back through profits from 3D movies, etc. Film piracy is becoming a major problem for these companies and the online businesses such as 'lovefilm' are causing money sells to drop in cinemas as they are taking in the money because their movies are cheaper than the cinema. So instead of splashing out at the cinema and seeing a movie that they think is going to be amazing and is rather shocking, they don't pay for anything and pirate DVDs.

Question 9: Discuss the phenomenon as a contributing factor in the rise of the blockbuster:
A contributing factor to the rise of the blockbuster has to be CGI or special effects, the reason for this is because the amount of CGI that is put into movies nowadays tends to be the reason why people want to see them in the cinema. The reason for that is because it is appealing to the audiences, it is known for us to like guns, bombs, car racing, all these special effects and CGI are aesthetically pleasing. Also another contributing factor that has caused the rise in the blockbuster movies is the stars that are seen in them, such as Bruce Willis in Die Hard. Without having Willis in that movie there sure wouldn't be anyone going to see it, because he is known as an action hero and action hero's are what most girls love about these CGI action movies. Die Hard is known as a geri-action movie because he should have retired a long time ago and hasn't. The only reason why he hasn't been shot down is for his credibility!

2012 SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS

COURSEWORK BLOG

http://caraalexandrou-filmcoursework.blogspot.co.uk/

film studies : v for vendetta in 60 seconds

film studies : v for vendetta in 60 seconds

Location report.

Corridors from an old work place of my Mum's in which is used as offices but can be used to show a dark prison corridor:

Outside a prison in Brixton (London):

This is suitable for my film, as it is a dramatic looking prison and looks like it belongs in a council estate.

High rise flats in Brixton (London): These are suitable for my sequel as they look almost identical to the ones in the previous films and it has the ability to carry the story on through.

Creating an argument... Children of Men and V for Vendetta.

How to create an argument, explain, describe, analysis and compare.

 

First Draft of Script for the Sequel of Attack the Block

Cara's Dialogue for the Sequel to Attack the Block

The dialogue in my sequel moves the story forward as it uses some elements from the first Attack the Block movie and this has been processed and progressed into something more mature than what the previous film was. Moses has now grown up and become a fatherly figure to two of the boys in the gang and this shows how the typical youth stereotypes can be challenged and how we contradict the way in which society thinks of youths. This evidently shows that it links with my macro study.

It still shows the relationship Moses has with the people he has been brought up with, even after being in prison for 5+ years.

To improve this I will need to look at the dialect in which the group use: Chav', gang-like, so I can get the story and dialogue rolling more freely into the next scene.

To what extent does V for Vendetta and Children of Men conform to film stereotypes and what messages are behind these representations?

The two films that I have studied, V for Vendetta and Children of Men conform to the normal everyday film stereotypes, however, they also go against them too. In both films the men seem to act and the women become more of a sex object or a symbolism of the film. For instance, Evey definitely comes across as the sex object of the film because in the opening sequence (first scene), she appears to be dolling herself up to go see a boss of hers, to obviously have intercourse. However, whilst roaming around the streets in a red dress (which enhances our realisation that she is in-fact going to her boss’ for that) she is going around after curfew, and curfew in this film is an important factor. This is when she comes across the finger men (police); also showing that she is a sex object. However, in Children of Men, there isn’t a sex object as such. Theo (the main protagonist) has his former wife who is featured in the first section as she begs him for help, other than that, there is Kee. She is the pregnant woman who Theo has to protect. She definitely isn’t a sex object, although, she could be the symbol of the film. She is pregnant, the only pregnant woman to be known about by a small amount of people, who needs to be taken to safety to ensure that the human race leads on, as there hasn’t been a birth in eighteen years. All in all, we notice that V for Vendetta does conform to the objection of women and Children of Men doesn’t, because V actually features a sex object whom is Evey.

Furthermore, both films feature a final girl. In Children of Men Kee is left at the end alongside her new born baby, however, there is no exact closure. Kee is basically left behind on this boat floating away as Theo dies on that same boat, how do we know whether she has survived and got to safety? We don’t, but she is still known as the final girl as she saves everyone who is fighting through the revolution as they all notice that she is in-fact brought life back to the human race and has signified that there is hope out there for all and infertility. Also in V for Vendetta Evey is the final girl because she completes V’s dying wish and takes it upon herself to blow up parliament and get hers, V’s and the public’s freedom. Oppressing the Government and securing them and ensuring that they will have their own rights. This shows that Evey is fearless and that she is the final girl. Overall, both Children of Men and V for Vendetta conform to the element in which is the final girl. They both have two females (also could be known as the underdogs of the movies because you’d have thought the man would’ve been the hero) alive at the end, saving and getting what the male originally wanted. Evey got the freedom for all and Kee helped make people realise that there is hope for all.

Thirdly, you can see hyper masculinity in V for Vendetta because he has immortal strengths; he uses his arms and upper body strength to fight off his ‘enemies’. He also uses knifes which could be known as a phallic symbol as this is an object that represents penetration, example, like V using a knife to show his male power. Take the scene where he kills Creedy underground, he uses upper body strength to hill him and uses knifes to kill the officers. In addition to this, in Children of Men, it doesn’t conform to hyper masculinity like V for Vendetta as there is no form of phallic symbols used, nor is there any male power shown. Theo is feminised as he runs and depends on the people in the revolution scene to keep him covered and out of harm’s way. He also cried once his former wife has died, hid himself behind a tree for a few seconds and then composed himself, this shows the typical male roles in films as he stops himself from crying and becomes less feminised. This also gets the message across to the male audience that it is okay to cry sometimes and show their feminised side. Seeing as this is typically what any girl would love for a man to be able to do, example be able to show their emotion. However, when he returns back and shakes the crying away, he becomes his masculine self again. Especially seeing as if other people were to see his reaction to this, they’d lose all faith in him. In the end of the scene and film, Kee is the final girl and saves the many people as they see her holding her new born. In the end, V for Vendetta does conform to the typical hyper masculinity theme, whereas Children of Men doesn’t, because there is no form of male power seen throughout the film.

There is also an aspect of being a motherly/nurtured figure (roles). In Children of Men there is a character known as Hippy Woman, she comes across as the motherly figure as she looks after Kee like her own. Kee is definitely a motherly figure in the film as he actually gives birth to her new born. Theo could be seen as a motherly figure as well as he is more feminised here, as in this scene he took on the role of the midwife (during the revolution). In V for Vendetta, Evey is also represented as a motherly figure as she takes on the lead role; she adores V and almost treats him like a childlike character at times. Gordon Dietrich becomes a motherly/fatherly figure towards Evey; take the scene in which he’s black bagged. He rein acts exactly what Evey’s mother did when she was taken by the Government. He can also be seen as a motherly figure as well, because of his sexuality, he is bisexual/guy who takes on a more feminised role. Overall, both films conform to having a motherly figure in them and show the audience that both men and woman share a feminine and masculine side to them.

To conclude, both films conform to the typical stereotypes of gender and let the audience interpret different points in different ways. It gets the message across that it’s okay for male characters to be more feminised and still be the ‘hero’ or ‘reluctant hero’. There’s both a positive and negative to this. Theo was firstly an alcoholic who leads to a normal stereotypical male in a film and V has hyper masculinity which is usually seen in a sci-fi/thriller. Both films reinforce positivity and negativity, because although Theo cries on the boat at the end because he’s dying, it still shows his masculinity because he is a leader and because he kept his role, his job of protecting Kee. The same goes for V for Vendetta; because V’s hyper masculinity led him to triumph as he led Evey to complete his job. Evey was inspired by V’s persistence which led to them reaching their goal, even though V died and Evey became the final girl.

Ideas for our scenes: Discussions

Sequel to Submarine - Jasmin Sanders

Sequel to Attack the Block

V for Vendetta & Children of Men - Sci-fi/thriller genre

Classic Hollywood Narrative in V For Vendetta and Children Of Men