Task 1

Starter: HumanCentipedeTrailer – who has seen it?

Find out what the story is and why it is controversial

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/for-their-eyes-only-inside-the-world-of-the-film-censor-2294349.html

Debate

Should there be such a thing as censorship of films?

This should take 15 minutes

Task 2

New Information: Exam Question 2 1970/80s

“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. [30]

Task:

Initial Research: For the following words in BOLD - Know about what was happening, define the terms, outline the context, and what relevance they have to the above exam question?

 

Group 1.

The right-wing, pro-censorship response by groups such as the National Viewers and Listeners Association and conservative MPs who wanted the introduction of restrictive laws for access to films on video

Group 2. 

2. The level of take-up/fashion amongst the UK population of home video technologies in the 80s and unregulated home video distributors 

Group 3. 

3. The dawning of the home video age - format wars (VHS and Betamax) and the moral panic about the uncensored Video Nasties and unregulated video content and move to regulation of film in the home.

Some basic resources to work through to help - split then across your teams - not all looking:

http://youtu.be/OqbMvbP_j1k?t=6m17s watch from 6m 17s – 11m 34 s

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/gallery/2012/nov/10/censored-cinema-in-pictures

http://blogs.examiner.co.uk/moviesfilmscinema/2010/04/30-years-on-from-the-video-nas.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1980s-video-nasties-bbfc-home-video.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1980s-format-wars-vhs-vs-beta.html

Check Learning – Share your understanding across the team, this should take a about 30 mins to work through

Share your findings with the class as Mentor pairs Mind Map on A3 using highlighters your shared knowledge: write the exam question in the middle and use the notes to write analysis points under the contexts 

Technology

Political & Social

Economic

Each Mentor team should have a MIND MAP with the 3 contexts from the all the above

This should take about 20 mins - photograph & upload the Mind Map to your blog

Task 3

New Information - Deeper analysis of the resources

Divide up the links between you as Mentor Partners

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1980s-video-nasties-bbfc-home-video.html 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNawGIPLFHo  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ppqutUB23A  

Create Meaning - look for answers in the videos & articles

1. What is the significance of Home Video & the Format Wars for audiences 
2. What were the concerns around Home Video and regulation/censorship?
3. What is a Video Nasty and why were they popular with audiences?
4. What did these films have in common (Genre/Budget/Subject matter/Story)?
5. Who were Margaret Thatcher & Mary Whitehouse and why were they relevant?
6. How did Video Nasties become Political and how was this Moral Panic being exploited by the government?

In your Mentor Teams work your way through the documentaries (seperately) & questions - this should take 30 mins with 10 minutes to share across Teams of 4

Prepare an argument: Critical reviews of Banned Video Nasties

Each team of 4 take a different Case Study from the films below

For the following Video Nasties read over the plot summary imdb or wikipedia – outline the content, watch the trailers - why do you think this one in particular banned?

How have these Video Nasties been critically received over time, what films did these directors go on to make?

• I spit on your grave
• Last House on the Left
• The Driller Killer
• Evil Dead

What is your group's opinion - should these have been banned or censored?

What were the contextual reasons for these films being banned? 

Apply to demonstrate

Do you agree with the right-wing (conservative) decisions to censor or restrict access (regulate) to these films? Justify your opinion with evidence from today and reference to one of the films.

Write your individual argument on your blog

Last Task should take 30 minutes

good Luck

Multiplex Cinemas - extract 3 Reasons

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/fleapits-multiplexes-articles.html

1. Technological
2. Social
3. Economic

Students own research:

1. Put smaller cinemas out of business
2. Success of a few led to expansion in the 1980s
3. 1984 Multiplexes got people back into the cinema from big gradual decline low cinema attendance (Trend Home Video VCR)
4. Milton Keynes first multiplex in UK 1984/5
5. Rotate screens of the biggest films: release the biggest on the main screen then onto smaller for a longer run

What factors led to the decline of town or city centre cinemas in the late 1970's and early 1980's?

Introduction
A combination of factors led to the decline in town and city centre cinemas but there are three main pointers: technological, economical and social reasons.

Teenagers have disposable income so have money to spend with friend through a socialising environment such as cinemas and due to the multiplex cinemas being built in shopping centres that are easily accessible through the motorway and have more attractions such as restaurants, arcades  and shops mean that a day outing can be planned around the entertainment available.

The development of VFX that was first displayed in Star Wars led to the making of the Industrial Light and Magic company founded by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. 

Multiplex cinemas replace flea pits due to the beneficial income because of the variety of films that will be advertised meaning a greater audience is brought to increase their revenue. 

Production

Spectacle films are now being produced due to VFX and the formulaic value that they know will sell to the audience- Star Wars was produced in 1975 which changed the course of cinema down this avenue leading to more films such as E.T that conformed to the science fiction genre which was now a huge hit with the teenage audience. However due to the mass of the teenage audience that brought in majority of the ratings, it also brought in new types of films such as the disco era that was brought about making films such as Saturday night fever in 1977 which was to reassure the fact they would continue bringing this audience in.

Distribution 

Piracy meant that American film studios were getting less revenue from the blockbusters being churned out which means they cannot afford to take a risk with a new creative idea for a film meaning the same formulaic films year in year out are being produced. This meant that American film studios had to cooperate with the new consuming preference of the audiences through the internet which led to the creation of Netflix and hulu so that people could watch movies online but still get money out of the audiences.

Exhibition
People were intrigued by the new all around better experience in the multiplex cinemas that they would pay slightly more money for, in comparison to the dilapidated flea pits. Due to the fact they were located in a shopping centre meant there were many more things to do within walking distance of the cinema- this meant people went on a 'day out', taking it for granted rather than saving up and treating it as a special occasion like the older generations usually do. this meant that the american film studios were making many films to keep the revenue and ratings flowing into the cinema.

3.2.1 Film Text & Context intro Blockbusters in Context

Starter: What characteristics of Blockbusters do these films demonstrate?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951265/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Conclusion:

What does this suggest about the popularity of Indie Franchise Films - is there a formula, which audiences?

Homework review: Unit F631: Film Text and Context Section B: Cinema...

1. The exam and its requirements – skim & present 

ñ  How many questions & what topics?

ñ  What relevance are knowing about Blockbusters?

ñ  What case studies are you writing about?

ñ  What is Production?

ñ  What is Distribution & Marketing?

ñ  What is Exhibition/Exchange?

ñ  What do we mean by context?

ñ  BONUS Name the 2 most influential directors of these emerging types of films in 70's/80's?

starter: Match up the PDE
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/film-production-distribution-exhibition.html

Answers to PDE: http://prissnashfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/pde-qualities-and-values.html

Create Meaning

What are the arguments around Blockbusters? Case Study: Transformers

Kermode on Transformers 3 & Truth about Blockbusters

Transformers 4 Product & Star-driven

Big Dumb Movies: Transformers

Apply: Your opinions – discussion on post it notes

Create Meaning

Identify significant points of Context that have had an effect on the rise and dominance of Blockbuster movies. 


Use Popplet to create a Flow Diagram of the relevent points of context you have extracted from the articles

 

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1975-rise-of-blockbuster-social.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/skyfall-to-70s-cinema-attendance.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-rise-of-multiplex.html

Context: Economic Blockbuster Marketing Budgets (F...

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/cinema-attendance-uk.html

http://portable.tv/film/post/how-jaws-spawned-the-modern-blockbuster/

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/15702/jaws-the-first-blockbuster

Student 1: Social (audience behaviours, preferences, cinema attendance)

Student 2: Technology (Projection, sound, visual effects, online)

Student 3: Economic (budgets, marketing, box office, recession, piracy)

Student 4: Conclusion – summarise how have all 3 contexts have affected the Production of these films? 

Mid point plenary/Review
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/the-deuction-journey-or-how-to-apply.html
 

Break

Session 2 Kermode on Transformers 4

Star Wars & The Blockbuster

Micro Essay

Reasons why the popularity of certain films in the 1970s led to the rise of the Blockbuster formula
1. Economic
2. Social
3. Technological


How is this the legacy of Lucas & Speilberg? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

What social, economic & technological context gave rise to the blockbuster film from 1975-1983?

American Film Studios built multiplex cinemas on the outskirts of town in a shopping centre in England to replace the single screen cinemas that were also known as 'flee pits' that advertised their Hollywood films. Due to the fact that there was more than one screen meant that there was a variety of films available to watch that the audience could chose from, however they were the same formulaic structure which meant that all it was doing really was leading us to believe people had a choice.Their Hollywood films were known as blockbusters which were new movies with the added spectacle which brought new interest to the screen. The fourth Star Wars Film: A New Hope directed by George Lucas was a well known American production that was all spectacle; alternate universe, explosions, lasers, light sabers and aliens which changed the course of cinema from then onwards.

In the time frame between 1975 and 1983 the teenage demographic was on an increase due to the social events that became increasingly common and the new rage of things to do was attend the new and improved multiplex cinemas; due to the disposable income that teenagers were entitled to from their parents meant they could go out and do what they wanted. Due to the majority of viewers in cinemas being teenagers meant that they were the huge influence on the ratings of films and the summer blockbusters. From 1975, due to this, new eras of film were born such as the disco era from which the blockbuster, 'Saturday Night Fever' was produced in 1977; this film was directed at the new and common teenage demographic that were the reason for majority of the multiplex cinema's income.

The new invention of VFX to be used in movies meant that it added to the spectacle and gave something new and exciting to the cinemas which meant it brought in the audience. In 1975 the blockbuster 'Jaws' was released which was one of the most successful blockbusters of all time. VFX was bascially what brought people out of their homes and into the cinema.

Cinema viewings became less popular in the 1980's which meant there was the invention of the VCR which meant people could watch movies at home; E.T was the first movie to be released on VCR. Due to the VCR and video tapes bringing movies to people's homes, it meant the fashionability of people staying in at home to watch movies came in. 

Multiplex cinemas were built near motorways to make it easily accessible and noticeable by people; due to the fact they were usually located on the upper floor of shopping centres meant there were many other attractions to draw the demographic in such as shops and restaurants. Milton Keys in Birminghamshire was the first multiplex cinema to be built in England; it was a business that the Americans used to earn money both ends; brought money in to expand the cinema and bring new things in that would be new and exciting.

Homework Prereading Next week's lesson
Fleapits & Multiplexes articles/notes to read
&
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/lesson-43-how-blockbusters-led-to-rise.html - prepare answers to these questions:

Create Meaning: How did the Blockbuster affect Production, Distribution & Exhibition?

Expert groups:

1. Cinema Attendance 1972-1980 why was this? (Economic, Social reasons?)
2. Production Technologies (Star Wars) & the Big Screen Experience
3. Distribution - The Event Movie hype (marketing budgets)
4. Box Office numbers of the early Blockbusters (exhibition) 

3.1.1&2 Exam 2: Film Text & Context Session 1 - Big Dumb Movies

STARTER: 
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-12-16/2014-film-quiz

NEW INFO:
What is a flop? 
How much does a film need to earn to be a success?
What are some factors that effect this (audience behaviours, technology?)
How does this affect the reasons and the decision behind which films are made or shown?
What is a Franchise movie?
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/context-film-funding-flops-and.html

http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/flop-formula-assessment.html


Test out the Film Flop Formula (Mark Kermode, BBC Film Critic) 
Select a Case Study from the list of 2014 Movies from the Quiz
Find the Budget & Box Office (Total Gross)

Now find a Flop from 2014, find the budget and Box Office (Total Gross)

www.imdb.com
www.Boxofficemojo.com

Your next exam is about exploring and contextualising the factors that affect film production.

This means explaining how politics and social values affects censorship, how marketing and formulaic special effects driven 'event movie' have shaped and dominated what you now see at the cinema and how the cinema itself has evolved from a run down 'Fleapit' in your local high street to the 'Multiplex'. We will also be revealing how Film Piracy is not a new thing.

Complete the following tasks with your mentor partner & post to your blog 

Task 1:
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/starting-point-jaws-anatomy-of.html

Make notes - 
What was so significant about Jaws?
Outline the characteristics of a Blockbuster

 
Apply: 
Identify a newly released Blockbuster now showing at the cinema
Analyse the promotion and mind map - poster, trailer, merchandising and identify what makes this a blockbuster from it's advertising?
What is the budget of this film and it's box office opening weekend (www.imdb.com)
How many showings are there of this film at the cinema?
What other types of films are showing at this Cinema (Blockbusters or Independent)?
Is it a Multiplex or Fleapit (independent)?

Task 2: 
Read - Case Study of a newly released Blockbuster
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/characteristics-of-summer-blockbuster.html

Apply: Presentation
Watch the trailers. Analyse the characteristics using the above reading

How does it compare to the trailers for Godfather, Jaws and Star Wars - are there notable similarities/differences?

http://brionysfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/blockbuster-comparison.html


New Info
Task 3:
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/big-dumb-movies-transformers.html

Watch the video and identify the arguments from Mark Kermode
What are the criticisms of Big Dumb Movies?
What is your standpoint on this - how did we get to the point where the cinema is dominated by these films? 

Task 4: 
(Assessment)
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-future-of-blockbuster-films-its-strictly-reserved-for-superheroes-9673859.html
http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/activity-next-blockbuster.html
Apply:
Pitch me 'the next blockbuster' - record the pitch 
Think about - Franchises, Pre-exisiting audiences, cross-overs

Homework:
Record your own review of your Blockbuster Case Study in the cinema over half term in the style of Mark Kermode
OR
Swede your own 30 sec trailer to your 'Next Blockbuster'

2.7.1&2 iconic narrative content, sequel, prequel, reboot

Starter:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=62E4FJTwSuc
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QAEkuVgt6Aw

Research imdb into the franchise of these films
5 things they have in common

http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/iconic-moment-into-darkness-wrath-of.html?m=0

Task1: identify
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/iconic-scenes-disruption-resolution.html?m=0
Mind map your Iconic Moment to appeal to fan base



Task2: analysis
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/why-so-many-sequelsprequels-film.html?m=0
Suggest ideas for a sequel, reboot, prequel - what aspects of the story can be built upon from you mind map

Task 3: apply to demonstrate
Write your conclusion to your study (see Thesis statement from 3 weeks ago)
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/ideas-generation.html?m=0

http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/ideas-generation.html?m=0

Task4:
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/60-second-film-pitch-lesson-plan.html?m=0

Christmas Homework
Task4: create you photo story equilibrium, disruption, resolution

Representation feedback PEAS comparative

Here is a list of new peer partners based on most recent performance in using PEA and comparing the films. 

Student 1 with 5 & 9

Student 2 with 6

Student 3 with 7

Student 4 with 8

Student 5 with 9

The messages (A) of both films have been discussed in previous lessons and your feedback from module addressed a lack of weekly summary in your notes. How far have you made progress?

Level 3 (low) Can make points about gender with some examples though maybe not comparatively or to link to purpose or messages (P with some E but no A)

Student 1

Level 3 (midr) Can link some points to interpret comparative anslysis of the film with examples (P linked to A with E)

Student 2

Student 3

Student 4

Student 5

Level 3 (upper) or Level 4: Can explain how the film uses Representation of gender to communicate messages (S) (P linked to A with comparative E and explanation if the messages of the films S)

Student 6

Student 7

Student 8

Student 9

Messages (see your notes this should be there...) It is my expectation that all students ought to be able to refer to this in your essay. Without this in your essay you evidence a general lack of preparation and revision.

V 

To be feminine is to be fearful and passive (Evey embodies the population)

To be masculine is to be responsible and active

This uses typical Hollywood convention of ' men act women appear' but subverts it to make a political point (not typical to shave the femininity off of your leading lady)

CoM

Feminine is to be a mother, natural to nurture and birth = hope

A man made unnatural future where women have no role = despair and violence

Masculinity is unrestricted and without hope - destructive and power struggle 

Kee mother had more power than hyper masculinity - at least temporarily

Essay plan Representation

Thesis: How do the films compare in their use of representation to communicate their messages on gender and social commentary on contemporary Britain?

1. What significant examples of gender roles (father/strength/power/Hypermasculinity) are in the characters?

2. What significant examples of gender roles (father/strength/power/Hypermasculinity) are in the characters?

Mother roles
Evey- After V dies, Evey becomes the head of the revolution and assumes an motherly figure, with her role in the revolution to look after everyone as she is the leader.
Delia Surridge- She is the scientist who operated on V and made him a super soldier. V kills her later in the film. Her work on changing V's body and making him different implies an sort of maternal relationship between her and V.

Father Roles
V- V is an father figure for Evey. He looks after her and protects her from the fingerman who attack her at the beginning of the film. He also helps her overcome her fear of death and convinces her to take part in the rebellion. By protecting her like this and teaching her views and life lessons that he feels is important, he assumes the role of a paternal figure.
Gordon Dietrich- Dietrich can also be considered an father figure for Evey. He lets her into his secret life, showing that he trusts her. He also sacrifices himself for her, giving him a tragic role in Eveys life. His sacrifice is important to protect Evey from the police.
Adam Sutler- Sutler is the head of the oppressive government in V for Vendetta. He controls all aspects of life in Britain. He can be considered as an very strict and stern father figure who is dominant over everyone in his control.

Father roles in CoM = ?

In V Masculinity = Strength/Power hypermasculinity
V- V is strong and powerful because he has been genetically modified to be strong and is a very charismatic and manipulative person. He shows power over people with his skill of persuasion and his passion to overthrow the government. His lack of remorse and his willingness to kill people also shows a sense of power.
Adam Sutler- Sutler's regime and oppressive government gives him power and strength over every aspect of normal life under his governments rule. This role of power and strength is a crucial aspect of the stories narrative.

Masculinity in CoM = ?

In V Femininity = weakness & fear 

Femininity in CoM = ?

3. How does the film use Yonic & Phallic imagery?

4. Use of the Male Gaze & 'Men Act, Women Appear'

5. How does the film represent Dystopia Britain as a nation and does it follow film stereotypes?
The film represents Dystopia Britain as an one man government. Adam Sutler controls every aspect of everyday life, with him placing curfews and assigning a secret police (The Fingermen) to supervise British citizens and ensure that there is no homosexuality that could, in his view, pollute the nation. This setting is strongly reminiscent of Nazi Germany and it's oppressive regime. The use of an dystopia in V 
for Vendetta is different to other similar dystopia films. V for Vendetta doesn't show 

a society in ruin, but instead shows an near-future, where everything looks like 

modern day life with a few changes, for example, huge screens in Piccadilly circus where Sutler gives his speeches and a curfew, where if broken, people can be killed.