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'