Kermode Uncut: Ten Best & Worst Films of 2014 (Part 1)

WJEC: Moving Image Awards 2015

The Moving Image Awards will recognise and celebrate the best moving image production work from students at schools and colleges offering WJEC qualifications in Film and Media Studies.

Steve Jobs on the Future of Movie Marketing

The internet has had a major impact on the film industry over the last decade. Initially, there was a concern that the internet would threaten the entire film business as online piracy sites saw annual box office ticket sales decline massively and consistently each year since 2002. Source - www.the-numbers.com/market However, as a whole the film industry today is booming. Overall, gross revenue in the last ten years has doubled with the help of, rather than despite, the internet.

How has the internet helped?

Film studios and film makers have had to adapt to take advantage of the internet and the power of social media. In an interesting twist of fate, what used to be the enemy has transformed itself into the film marketer’s best friend as an inventive way to minimise the overall costs for distribution and marketing.

The Power of Social Media

Films are a social topic which means that social media networks is a fantastic platform for film campaign.

People love to share their opinions on films with their friends so social media platforms are the perfect place to encourage discussion. By creating word-of-mouth marketing on social media a buzz can be created around any film.

Top 5 Highest Paid Actors/Actresses in Hollywood 2014

'The Grandmaster' (2013): dir Wong Kar-Wai (World Cinema)

Mark Kermode reviews The Grandmaster. Inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war that was also the golden age of Chinese martial arts.

Section A: Case Study Approaches (FM2)

Prepare in depth knowledge of 2 Case Studies to use in Section A of the FM2 exam – 1 major Hollywood Production & 1 Independent or British release. These will give you a head start when it comes to discussing the details of specific releases for the exam. Consider:

What happened during pre-production of your chosen film/s? 

• Whose idea was the film? Did the idea start with the writer, or were writers brought in to develop a preconceived idea?

• Where did the idea come from? Was it an original idea, or perhaps a book first, or TV series, or comic strip, or from some other source?

• Was the film based upon an original script or developed over time by many writers?

• Who financed the film - Production Company?

• Casting – who were cast in the main roles and why? How important were stars? How did the film-makers think the chosen stars would appeal to audiences?

• Who was the producer?

• Who was the director and why did they take the project on?

• Did they have a track record of success?

• Was there anything interesting about the film soundtrack?




What happened during the production phase?

• Was it an easy ‘shoot’? If there were difficulties what were they?

• Where there any difficulties with casting or with acquiring the stars/actors the producer wanted?

• What did the film cost to make? How much did the stars get? Where did the budget go?

• Were there any changes to the script during production? How many changes or re-writes?

• List some of the key people who made contributions to the production.

What happened during the marketing and distribution phase of your case study film?

• Who were the distributors? How well known was the company? What is their track record as distributors? (Other films/genres)

• Who was the target audience? How do you know?

• How did the film-makers decide where to release the film and when?

• What was the marketing and advertising strategy for the film? Was there a premiere, and if so, where?

• Find film posters and analyse them for how they reach their audience(s)

• Analyse a trailer/teaser trailer and consider how the trailer persuaded and positioned British audiences to see the film.

• What outlets were used for advertising? Was TV used, for example?

• Were there any merchandising tie-ins?

• Was any additional publicity gained, and if so, how?



What happened during the exhibition (audience) phase?

• When was the film released; also where and on how many screens?

• Were there any issues with the classification of the film?

• Were there any other special restrictions placed on the exhibition of the film?

• What were the reactions of the critics to the film? Was it considered a critical success?

• Did the film create a particular media debate?

• How much money did the film take? Was it considered a commercial/financial success?

• Did it run in the cinema for some time?


Remember there are questions that you will not be able to answer; however there may be topics that you would like to include that are not covered in the questions set out. All the questions are only offered as guidelines; it is for you to work on the development of your own chosen product from concept to screen.

Adapted from: asanda2filmstudies