The British Board of Film Classificationis a non-governmental organisation, founded by the film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the UK.
How are films rated?
The
age ratings for films and TV programmes are reached by a consensus and the examiners
watch the films alone, a solo viewing. However, if the film a foreign, this requires
a translator in the room. The examiners watch the films and make notes
referring to key scenes, bad language, sexual content, drugs etc. Distributors can also request an age certificate to
the examiner and they would take this into consideration but if the decisions
by the examiners are not consensual then it would be past down to senior
examiners.
What issues are there?
The BBFC works on several major principles in determining the age rating of a given work:
Whether it is in conflict with the law.
Whether it can cause any harm that may result from the behaviour of potential viewers, but also any ‘moral harm’ that may be caused.
unacceptable to broad public opinion.
acceptably portraying the dominant issue
Whether it has a dark or unsettling tone that may disturb the audience at that level
the main age rating issues that need to be taken into account include:
Violence
Sex
Sexual Violence
Drugs
Horror
Imitable Behaviour
Discrimination
Language
Controversial decisions - 'The Dark Knight'
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.
What you might see in a 15 rated movie;
Any of the following:
strong violence
frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
portrayals of sexual activity
strong verbal references to sex
sexual nudity
brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
discriminatory language or behaviour
drug taking
'Adulthood' classification
This film was uncut and award a 15 as it has very strong language, strong violence, sex references and drug use. 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 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
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.
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.
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.
The UK has six major distributors and many independent distributors who tend to handle films outside major studios.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 againteenagers/young adults, ageing between 15-20 years old as it shows the younger generation mostly in the film.
WWW: A reasonably solid evaluation that reflects on some
strengths and weaknesses accurately. The paragraph towards the end that
discusses the body language of the characters is the strongest aspect – you are
specific and consider the impact of media language choices on a potential
audience. I’d like to see much more of that!
EBI: There’s just not enough depth and detail overall for
the higher grades. You do consider the audience (as mentioned above) which is a
positive but I’d like much more detailed and specific discussion of certain
shots, transitions etc. The reflection on the lack of effective planning is
important and this is something you definitely need to address for the real
coursework.
LR:
more detail and depth in my analysis and evaluation
Firstly, this clip starts of with non-diegetic sound as it is a voiceover, which appears to be a girl reading a poem of some sort. This is informative as she is explaining what has or is happening to her. When she is talking, you can still hear what is going on in the scene. For example, at the beginning she is looking at a women spraying her hair with hair spray. This is diegetic sound as the character can hear it. There is then a sound bridge, which makes the transition of scenes run more smoothly. When it suddenly switches to the rapid change of shots, there is a sound of a bell ringing, which starts of being a non-diegetic sound. When the flash of shots stop, the bell continues to ring, which is another sound bridge and becomes diegetic sound as the girls in the scene can hear it. The bell then stops. After the two girls exchange a few lines of dialogue, the bell then continues to ring as they walk off to class. The camerawork is also interesting. It starts of with a big close-up of a bruised arm, at this point we don't know who's arm this may be, which acts as a enigma code. There is a medium shot of the back of a woman's head. There is then a pan from the girl, across to a women looking in the mirror. Throughout this scene we are not shown clearly what she looks like, which could signify that she is not a significant character in the film. The pace of editing starts of slow, and then there is a sudden switch of fast pace editing. Almost like a fast forward or remind, this is used to tell the audience that there is a change when cutting to the next shot. This is called a montage. Also, at the beginning there is a eye line match between the young girl and the women getting ready.
I would argue that the target audience for this film is mostly young females, aged 15 and over, as it is about young girls in high school.
It Follows
The clip begins with an establishing shot of the classroom. It then pans, across one side of the classroom to the other. At the end of the pan, the female protagonist is shown sitting at her desk listening to the teacher, you could say that the beginning shot was a point of view shot as thats where she is looking. However, you wouldn't know this until the camera reaches her at the end of the pan. There is then long shot of outside the window and then a medium shot of her again at her desk, this happens several times. However, each time it cuts to the long shot of outside, the camera gets closer and closer building up suspense. Then there is a straight cut to a guy looking at the female protagonist, who is looking out of the window. There is then another pan, which follows the female protagonist get up and leave the classroom in a hurry. A tracking shot is then used to pick up the pace of the scene. There is then a straight cut to the protagonist walking towards the camera.
The mise-en-scene in this clip helps the audience understand the female protagonist as her facial expression at the beginning of the scene was quite relaxed and then changed quite dramatically when she saw the women outside walking towards her. The female protagonist is almost always the main person in frame, especially at the end of the scene, when she is walking towards the door, the elderly lady is walking behind her, out of focus so that the audiences attention is drawn to her and her facial expressions.
The pace of editing doesn't really change, however, the use of sound makes it feel like it is getting faster. When the girl is looking out of the window, there is a eyeline match, the use of repeated juxtaposition makes the audience feel like they are almost experiencing what she is in the film. During the end of this clip, when the female protagonist runs out of the classroom and then says 'hello', the use of straight cuts makes it feel more intense, as the camera keeps going back and forth from the young girl to the elderly women.
The target audience for this film would be young adults, aged 15 and over, due to most of the characters in this film being in high school/collage. I would say that the audience in terms of gender is fairly balanced as boys do end to like the gory side of horror films.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (2010)
The clip starts off with an wide/establishing shot of the classroom, full of students. The the camera pans, showing the female protagonist in a medium shot, writing at her desk. There is then a medium shot of a male student, whom is also at his desk writing, then he stops to look at the female protagonist. The camera then continues to pan. There is then a couple of wide shots, showing other students in the class and the teacher talking. The close up of the book, which has images of hangings and weapons, this connotes violence and acts as an enigma code. There is then a medium close-up of her realising she is in a dream. She is then transported to a dark room, there is then a medium shot of a dark clothed man at the black board. The girl then runs out of the classroom, which the camera pans to follow her movement. There is then a over the shoulder shot as the two characters come face-to-face in another room. The camera then shows a long shot of both characters, which then pans once again. There is a slight tilt to the camera when shown the medium shots of the male villain, to perhaps show dominance in this situation.
The pace of editing is also interesting, at the beginning it starts of slow. When the female protagonist is transported into her 'dream' the editing becomes much more fast pace, when she wakes up, it becomes slow again. There is mostly straight cuts used in this clip, there is one jump cut, when the girl wakes up and is suddenly back in the classroom. The use of juxtaposition is used when she looks at he book, with violent images in. There is then a eyeline match towards the end, where she looks at her desk and then picks up a piece of her hair, which has been cut.
The target audience for this film would be young teens aged 15 and over as there are violent scenes throughout. I would say that it is a mix between men and women as it is quite gory.
Oculus
The mise-en-scene in this clip makes us interpret the female protagonist as fearless and someone who is intrigued about what she is investigating. The lighting in this struck me the most as it sets the atmosphere perfectly. The use of low-key lighting and having a blue undertone makes the atmosphere feel cold and tense. This makes the audience feel uneasy and anxious about what is going to happen next. Her facial expression is very stern looking, which makes the audience see her as someone who is strong and authoritative. The props used in this clip, such as cut glass, connotes violence and/or danger.
The clip opens with a couple of medium close ups, when she opens up the laps for light, there is a low angle shot when she looks down at the floor. There is then a medium shot of her walking away from the camera. Followed by another medium shot of her walking down the stairs. This is quickly followed by a close up of her feet, stepping onto some cut glass or material of some kind. There is then a close up of her hands holding the piece of shattered material. There is then a slight tilt of the camera when she pulls out her phone, followed by another close up of hands holding the phone this time.
The pace of editing is quite consistent throughout, the beginning starts of with fast straight cuts. There is a jump cut at the end of this clip, which forces the audiences' attention to the creepy looking women that suddenly pops up. There is several uses of eyeline matches, when she looks at the cut pieces of material and her phone.
The target audience for this film, in terms of gender, fairly balanced once again, as the film has strong bloody violence throughout the film which male audiences are typically attracted to.
The Blair Witch Project
The use of handheld camerawork creates realism for the audience and making them feel like they are actually experiencing these events themselves. This makes it even more terrifying as it is more realistic. The use of the handheld camera also creates shakiness and unsteadiness. This makes the audiences feel tense and on edge and again almost transports the audience, making them feel like they are part of this journey too. The camera does drop a couple of times making it very realistic again and also forcing the audience to listen to the sounds.
The use of the black and white/ monochrome camera creates a very spooky and gloomy atmosphere. Black and white almost brings an element of death and unhappiness as when you think of happiness you would usually think of bright, vibrant colours, however, in this case all the colour has been stripped back. This, therefore, creates a lifeless atmosphere. However, it isn't all in black and white, some of it is in colour, this could be to confuse the audience about what is real and what is not.
The sound is also interesting as there isn't much of it. This almost forces the viewer to watch in order to know what is going on. There is some dialogue, but not a lot, this is perhaps to make the audience focus on screen. This is a clever thing to do as normally in horror films you can look away, but still be able to understand what is going on.
The Blair Witch Project would be both aimed at male and female, aged 15 to 30, this is because most of the characters are quite young, which appeals to this type of demographic.
For our preliminary exercise, one of the main strong points was the fact we fit the brief really well. We achieved all the things required which was that someone opened the a door, there was a match on action shot, there were over the shoulder shots and there were also interesting other shots that we included. The script was simple and it was easy to follow, however the layout of our script was not exactly professional. The storyboard was very rushed but again it got the different shots across and it was really simple to follow the storyboard. We could of made the storyboard more detailed , however, for the real thing they must be more detailed and more in depth in order to create an better production.In addition to this, the shot-list was again very simple.Therefore, next time we would definitely have to make a detailed plan in order to create a more in depth and better planned production.
The dialogue in our production was very clear and presented a clear narrative. The timing of the music was cut really well and the choice of music was parallel to the narrative. The focus was also very good and the use of angles and different shots was really good, in terms of continuity editing too. Overall, the production met the brief really well.
The weaknesses however were; there was a humming sound in the background when the two characters were talking and when Aliza got up and left the room there was just silence, which made the production feel sort of incomplete and peculiar. However, the use of the the over the shoulder shots were not framed well at all, there was a lot of unnecessary space and the shot was more a behind the person shot as most of the back of the character was seen rather than just the shoulder. Also, the focus on the character, who was the most important, wasn't great as she was not the main centre of attention. The use of the hair flick, when she walks into the room, portrays her as a sassy character, the audience, therefore, are able to infer this immediately due to her character. The other girl, Ria, seems like more of the innocent character, the one who knows she can't get her own way. Her body language sort of speaks for itself, whilst Aliza sits quite confidently, with her back straight against the chair, Ria sits almost huddled up and cross legged, like she is intimidated.
To conclude, the preliminary production met the brief and was very simple and easy to understand. However, there were mistakes, for example, having bad framing for over the shoulder shots, which will help us to have experience in the real production for our coursework.
WWW: Some excellent points made, particularly on camerawork.
EBI: Make sure you fully explain each point, paragraphing clearly will help with this. You mix up camerawork and editing in places, be careful of this in the future.
LR: Re-write Q1
What does the mise-en-scene suggest about the characters and events in the film?
Firstly, the Keaton is made up to look like e has been beaten up, which implies to the audience that this is a vulnerable character. The costumes used are very classic as the villain is dressed in a long black coat and hat, which is classic noir costume.
The props used in this scene all represent and support the theme of thriller/crime genre. For example, the villain has a gun, there are shots of dead bodies.
The lighting used is low-key lighting, which is typical for this genre as it suggests criminality of some characters.
The slow movement of acting creates suspense and the deliberate actions by the villain suggests his power over Keaton. Keaton does not move, which suggest that he is powerless as he is trapped.
