Arthouse film institution research

Production: Independent film studios

• The Falling- this film was made by 'BBC Films' and 'British Film Institute'.  Other films these studios produce include, for BBC Films; Quartet, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, My Week with Marilyn, Jane Eyre and for British Film Institute; Under The Skin, The Lobster and Robinson In Ruins. The most successful film made by BBC films was Billy Elliot. 
• It Follows- this film was made by the productions 'Animal Kingdom', 'Northern Lights Film' and 'Two Flints'. Other films made by Animal Kingdom; Short Term 12 and It Follows. Northern Lights; I'll See You in My Dreams, The Brass Teapot and High Road. The Two Flints; It Follows and I'll See You in My Dreams. The most successful film that Animal Kingdom, Northern Lights and The Two Flints have made is It Follows.
• An Nightmare on Elm Street-  this film was made by Media Home Entertainment. Other films this production company has made is The Directors and Taking the Heat.
• Oculus- this film was made by the production company 'Blumhouse Productions' and 'WWE Studios'. Other films that have been made by these production companies are Inside out and Walking Tall. 
• The Blair Witch Project-  this film was made by 'Haxan Film'. Other films that this production company has made is Lovely Molly, Seventh Moon , and V/H/S/2.

Distribution: Independent film distributors

10 steps of film distribution

1. The making of the film is a labour of love. Film is about drawing the audience in and having them enjoy a time of escapism. It has the power to influence and inspire individuals, for them to feel and experience strong emotions.
2. Movies influence our everyday life, down to the music we listen to, the games we play. Films only come to life and have the power to influence such things when they truly connect to the audience. The distributors have the job of identify the largest possible audience for every film. Having a tailor-made distribution is vital to the independent film industry. Digital has reshaped the ways in which films are released, promoted and consumed. 
3. Distribution bring each film to market by; identifying its audience, considering why they'd go and see it, estimating the revenue potential across all the formats of its release, persuading exhibitors to play the film, developing plans and partnerships to build awareness of and interest in the film and aiming to convert as much interest as possible into cinema visits. 
4. The UK has six major distributors and many independent distributors who tend to handle films outside major studios.
5. Larger film studios may often work with major producers and with big blockbusters, a studio will sell off the international rights to other.  When considering acquiring a new film, distributors normally look for distinguishable features in order for the film to sell and become a success. They would also need to consider the target audience. They will need to put together a detailed marketing spend and organise film festivals to make a wider audience aware of the film's release.
6. Distributers sign a formal document with producer stating what they own in respect of the title. Contract sets out how the income is to be apportioned and accounted for. 
7. The distribution plan needs to be prepared, in terms of what format it will be released in and which countries will get the film and when. This planning starts as soon as possible.
8. When the distributers have predicted what a film may earn, they prepare a budget. After they have decided what kind of film it is, they need to decide what BBFC certificate to award it, which they need to pay a fee for, according to length of film. This can have a major effect on the success of a film. Then they need to decide when the film needs to be released, for example, if it's really cold many people may not want to go out and actually watch the film which would ,therefore, be a disadvantage in terms of profit. They also need to consider where the film will go, for example, a multiplex or an art house cinema 
9. Distributers need to market the film in a correct way and interest and persuade potential audiences. The marketing plan- designed to navigate a way of interesting audiences and making sure that it is not lost under the weight of others. The film work must be eye-catching and creative, the trailers must captivate audiences, exit polls should be taken after screening in order to get feedback on the film and digital marketing needs to include online advertising and websites through the use of social media. Premieres, festivals and awards are great places to advertise your film too.
10. The last step is to ensure that everything is licensed and protected to prevent people distributing the film and in order to prevent illegal copies being made.

The Falling

Distributer: Metrodome UK

Budget: £750,000

Box office: £368,378

It Follows

Distributor: Dimension Films and RADiUS-TWC

Budget: $2 million

Box Office: $19.4 million

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Budget: $35 million

Box office: $115.6 million 

Oculus

Distributor: Relativity Media

Budget: $5 million

Box office: $44 million

The Blair Witch Project

  

Distributor: Artisan Entertainment

Budget: $22, 500

Box office: $250 million 



Curzon Artificial

Curzon Artificial is the UK's leading independent film distributor. Founded in 1976, Curzon Artificial have been releasing critically acclaimed films to discerning UK audiences by some of the world's greatest directors. Since 2006, Curzon Artficial Eye has been part of Curzon World, a group of companies in the film entertainment industry which also includes the Curzon chain of 11 cinemas plus eight joint venture cinemas. Curzon launched its Curzon Home Cinema service in 2010, making films available to watch at home on the same day as their cinema release.

Kiss of the Spider Women 

The trailer uses characteristics of film noir and is very cinematic. In the trailer, the stereotypical femme fatale is portrayed and is iconic imagery in the genre and narrative. The low-key lighting was something that stood out for me. Another aspect from the trailer that I noticed was the gradual change from the monochromic colour scheme to vibrant colour. I've hardly ever see this in films, and I think it would be interesting to use in our production. 

What I found interesting about this trailer is how it connects with the audience emotionally, The use of the voice over, creates a way of easily translating to the audience the narrative of the film. The long shots make it even more beautiful, and use of focus is very interesting, something I will consider in my production. 

In this trailer the use of long shots and establishing shots is what really interested me, and inspired me to put some beautiful shots in my production. This trailer also taught me that i is important to have a strong story line that will touch audiences. 


Exhibition: Arthouse cinemas

Electric Cinema

This cinema is located on Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED. Although this cinema is known as an arthouse cinema it has started to show more mainstream films. For example, films showing this week are The Hunger Games MockingJay pt 2, The Dressmaker, Bridge of Spies. However, it differs from cinemas like Vue as it shows films like Sleeping with Other People. 

I think the type of audience the Electric Cinema attracts are people of older ages, 30+ years, and from a middle class background as these are the type of people that can normally afford to go out to a cinema like this. However, I think they are trying to attract more younger audiences as they have started showing much more mainstream films to appeal to teenagers/young adults. 

Case study

Film London is London's film and media agency. It exists to sustain, promote and develop London as a major international film-making and film cultural Capital. This includes all screen industries based in London - film, television, video, commercials and new interactive media. It is one of nine regional screen agencies throughout the United Kingdom. The non-profit organisation is supported by the BFI and the Mayor of London.

The purpose of Film London Microwave is to give development and mentoring support to all of the shortlisted projects, as well as production finance and distribution support to the final commissioned films.The scheme's purpose is to challenge film-makers to shoot a full length film for up to £100,000 with cash and support. 

The London calling project is a scheme that delivers a programme of training and expert mentoring, helping the capital's most exciting new breakthrough talent. It is an expansion of the London Borough Film Fund Challenge, open to all new and emerging film-making teams resident in the capital. The highlights of the scheme include: 15 short films are awarded a maximum of £4, training and mentoring is provided to all film-making teams and match funding can be sought for any film being produced by London Calling.


Lilting

This fits the profile of a arthouse film as it is a British film but uses foreign language in some of it. I think the target audience for this film would be the younger generation, 20+ years, as it involves homosexuality, which wouldn't appeal to the older generations as they are stereotypically known for being stuck in their ways.

Borrowed time

This films narrative seems very unique and something that hasn't really been done before, highlighting the fact that it is an arthouse film. The target audience would be teenagers/young adults, ageing between 15-20 years old as it shows the younger generation mostly in the film.


iLL Manors

  
This film is a British crime drama and seems like a low budget film, which indicates that this is an independent film. The target audience would be again teenagers/young adults, ageing between 15-20 years old as it shows the younger generation mostly in the film.