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)