MEST1 Section B: Institution research

Ill Manors: Funding and production budget

1) What was the estimated budget for Ill Manors?
The estimated budget for the film was £100,000

2) Where did the money come from? List the different organisations and companies that contributed funding to Ill Manors.

Ben Drew refused funding for the film iLL Manors as he was an inexperienced director and wanted to gain the necessary experience. 

3)How did the Ill Manors budget compare to a Hollywood blockbuster such as Skyfall?

The ill Manors budget differs quite a lot in comparison to a Hollywood film such as Skyfall as the budget for ill Manors was £100,000 and the budget for Skyfall was ‎$150–200 million.

A Field In England: Funding and production budget

1)What was the estimated budget for A Field In England?

The estimated budget for the film A Field In England was £300,000

2)Why did A Field In England manage to secure a higher budget than Ill Manors?

It managed to secure a higher budget as Ben Wheatley was already an established director, which therefore made companies more confident with the film. Whereas, Ben Drew was inexperienced.
3) Where did the money come from? 

The film was funded by Film4 Productions and Drafthouse Films. 

Film London and Microwave Film

1)What is Film London and why does it exist?

Film London is a non-for-profit agency primarily supported by the national and regional government. A major part of Film London’s remit is working to sustain, promote and develop London as a global content production hub. Much of this involves attracting major inward investment film and television productions. 

2)What is the purpose of Microwave Film?

Microwave does more than fund films; they give development and mentoring support to all of the shortlisted projects, as well as production finance and distribution support to the final commissioned films. 

3)Choose one film funded by Microwave film and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences)

Another film that was funded by Microwave film is Freestyle, it compares to iLL Manors as it's also a low-budget British film. One similarity is that Plan B's music features in both iLL Manors and Freestyle. Furthermore, both films convey the lifestyle of the working class in Britain, and convey the society of the youth. However, in iLL Manors the subject of outcasts in Britain is portrayed/highlighted more. One similarity is that both films have a use of drugs, however, the story lines are completely different. A difference between both films is the director of Freestyle put out a nationwide casting audition process, whereas the director for iLL Manors didn't make it as big.

Vertigo Films and Warp Films


1)What are the most successful films Vertigo Films has been involved in?

A couple of successful films Vertigo Films have been involved in are:

The Sweeney, Spring Breakers, Street Dance 2 and Top Cat. 

2)Why do you think those films were successful with their audience?

I think these films were successful with their audiences because they appeal to a wide audience. For example, Street Dance 2 appeals to a wide audience, it would appeal to both families and young teens. The Sweeney was successful as it was a remake of a classic film and therefore would appeal to both a younger and older audience. Furthermore, Top Cat would appeal to a younger generation however, it would appeal to families as well which makes it successful. 

3)What different film genres has Vertigo Films worked with?

Vertigo Films have worked with a wide range of genres, it's worked with Drama's, Thrillers, Horrors, Comedies etc. 

4)Where did Warp Films start out?

Warp Films is an independent film and television production company based in Sheffield & London, UK. It was established by Warp Records partners Rob Mitchell and Steve Beckett. It was created with the financial help of NESTA. 

5)What are the most successful films produced by Warp Films?

Some successful films produced by Warp Films are:

Four Lions, This Is England, Exhibit A. 

6)How have Warp Films helped to develop new talent in the film industry?

Warp Films were working quickly and spontaneously with low-budgets to help talented and innovated artists. Warp have played a massive part in keeping vibrant and successful films in the British cinema, they brought what wasn't seen as "mainstream" to the public's eye and helped these films become well known and successful. 

7)What titles have Vertigo and Warp Films produced that are similar to Ill Manors? Explain the similarities - it could be in terms of audience, location, content or genre.

Some films both Vertigo and Warp Films have produced that are similar to iLL Manors is: Spring Breakers, this has a similar target audience as it would appeal to the younger generation (16-25). Another is, The Sweeney as it's a British Film. Also, both films are Drama's/Thrillers. 

Certification: BBFC

1)How does the certification process work at the BBFC?

The certification process works by them watching the whole film till the end and awarding and age rate and insight to each one. Normally, two examiners view a film for theatrical release and  In most cases a Senior Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. The same happens in terms of  DVDs and Blu-rays though generally these are seen by one Examiner. They consider issues such as  discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions.

2)Think about the certificate of Ill Manors (18 certificate). What is deemed acceptable for an 18 certificate? What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate?

The difference between a 15 certificate and 18 certificate is that, a 15 certificate No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

What you might see in a 15 certificated film:

•   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

However, films that are rated 18 are aimed for adults, and no-one under 18 is allowed to view them or purchase a 18 rated DVD. 

What you might see in a 18 certificated film:

•   very strong violence
•   frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
•   strong portrayals of sexual activity
•   scenes of sexual violence
•   strong horror
•   strong blood and gore
•   real sex (in some circumstances)
•   discriminatory language and behaviour

3)Why was Ill Manors given an 18 certificate? How might this have affected the Ill Manors target audience and commercial success?

iLL Manors was given a 18 certificate due to the amount of strong language and the portrayal of sexual activity. This may have affected the iLL Manors target audience as it may have appealed to younger kids starting from the age of 16 and they wouldn't have been able to view the film as it has a 18 certificate. This therefore, could lower the commercial success due to fewer people seeing the film. 

4)What was the certificate for A Field In England? Why was this certificate awarded?
The film A Field In England has a certificate of 15. It may have been awarded this award due to the use of drugs in the film. However, it doesn't have a high age rating as it doesn't contain a lot of sexual activity/horror.

5)What are the advantages and disadvantages for a film in being given an 18 certificate?

The advantages of a film being given a 18 certificate is that it prevents younger viewers from watching the film or purchasing the film. This is an advantage as some films that have a rating of 18 aren't suitable for younger viewers, due to the amount of sexual activity and strong language shown. Also, the amount of violence portrayed may have a influence on the younger viewers and therefore, the use of a 18 certificate comes to an advantage as it prevents this from happening.

Some disadvantages to having an 18 certificate put on films is that some younger viewers may be mature enough to watch these films, but can't due to the certificate and can't watch it in cinemas or purchase the film. This would decrease the commercial success for the film and therefore, is a disadvantage. Putting a certificate on a film also may conflict due to some viewers accepting the rating and some viewers disagreeing to what the certificate is. 

A Field In England: the appeal of arthouse film

1)What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?
Arthouse films mainly appeal to people who are more artistic rather than someone who is 'commercial in character'. Arthouse films are normally appealing for its narrative purpose, whereas, Hollywood films are appealing mainly for just the entertainment. This therefore, means arthouse films appeal to artistic people. Furthermore, arthouse films are less concerned with action and focus more on reaction. In addition, some arthouse films are foreign, and due to this subtitles are needed, which may be found off putting by the audience. However, the theorist Bourdieu disagrees and believes that having these subtitles gives the individual cultural capital and is one of the ways in which social class is emphasised.

2)Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? 
Some audiences struggle with arthouse films due to some of the films being foreign. Due to them being foreign, the use of subtitles are needed which may distract the audience from watching the actual film, and instead they'd be focusing on just the subtitles. Furthermore, arthouse films are seen as high-brow due to the films being artistic. Also, due to the narrative being fixed. Therefore, the audience wouldn't be able to keep up with the film. 

3)To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?
I think that arthouse films mainly appeal to middle class and older audiences as the narrative of the films have a deeper meaning and care about the reaction of the audiences instead of the action in the film. In terms of psychographic groups i think arthouse films would appeal to explorers as the films would appeal to someone who is open to different types of films. 

4)What type of audience would A Field In England appeal to?
A Field In England would appeal to a small/niche audience, mainly a middle class audience. It would appeal to an elder audience as due to the time period the film is set in. However, it could appeal to a younger due to the theme of drugs. Furthermore, in terms of psychographic groups the films would appeal to explorers.

MEST1 Section B: A Field In England

Summary

The film A Field In England is a low-budget British art-house film, made by the director Ben Wheatley, who was the first director to release the film simultaneously across all platforms; Cinema, DVD/Blu Ray, TV and VoD. This article informs us that Ben Wheatley was the first director to attempt to do this. It also explained the reasons of why Ben Wheatley did this. Furthermore, the article uses quotes that talk about the distribution of the film along with the costs; ‘‘£184 million of this was allocated to media advertising, the rest on film prints, advertising production, publicity, premiers and related costs.’’ The article explains what the The distributor’s challenges are for a film launch: 

1. identifying the film’s audience

2. estimating revenue potential across all platforms

3. building awareness and maintaining interest 

4. persuading exhibitors to present the film

5. persuading the audience to watch it.

The distribution strategy is complex and costly and therefore, involves a lot of research and creativity.   

1)How was A Field In England’s release different to typical film releases?

The release of this film was different to a typical way of a film being released as it was released across Cinema, DVD/Blu Ray, TV and VoD all on the same day. 

2)What are the advantages to releasing the film across all platforms on the same day?

One advantage of releasing the film across all platforms on the same day is that it stood out from the release of other films. Also, due to the genre of the film it wouldn't have a lot of time to find its audience in the cinema, and therefore would have a higher chance through DVD's or through TV etc. 

3)What are the disadvantages to this approach?

One disadvantage to this approach would be the audience taking a cheaper way of viewing the film, for example buying the DVD or watching it at home would be much cheaper than buying tickets to go and watch it in the cinemas. 

4)What target audience would A Field In England be aimed at? Demographics and Psychographics.

The target audience for this film would target the age group of 20-25, middle class people. In terms of psychographic groups this would appeal to succeeder's as they are of the higher class and more professional. Which therefore means that they would enjoy to watch a film that is based around the 15/16th century. 

5)Do you think all films in future will be released across all platforms simultaneously in future?

In my opinion, I think films would be released across platforms simultaneously as it's  more beneficial, due to the fact of people downloading films illegally anyway. Therefore, the company would make more profit in releasing the film across all platforms at once. This would also appeal to any audience, mainly the working class as they might not be able to afford or enjoy going out to the cinema, and therefore could watch it at home for a cheaper price.