A Level Film Studies: Section A

Producers & Audiences

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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? Were there tensions between any of the creative personnel, often known as ‘the talent’?

• Was any part of the film shot on location? If so, where? Why were some locations chosen over others? Were costs a factor?

• 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? Was the film shot within budget? Was it ever in any danger of going over budget?

• 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 eventual release pattern?

• 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? Has it been re-assessed since then?

• Did the film create a particular media debate, or create news headlines?

• 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

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Section A: Film Case Studies 2010

Case Study 1: The King’s Speech (2010)

Directed by Tom Hooper and starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.

British mid-budget independent film produced at a cost of approximately $13m and grossing over $400m.

It proved very popular in America. Its narrative is one that stereotypically appeals to American audiences fascination with “heritage” Britain (that it is based on a true story only adds to its appeal); the emotionally turbulent journey of the ultimately successful but flawed hero who, along with many of the films characters, is aristocratic (Four Weddings and a Funeral is similar in both these respects – Charles has to overcome his British reserve in order to capture Carrie and is upper-middle class).

It gained a number of awards, among them 4 Oscars for best Picture, Director, Actor and Screenplay. These will help post-Cinema sales (e.g. DVD, downloads).

It could be made because of £1m of funding from the now defunct UK Film Council, having been rejected by both the BBC and Channel 4.

It was the archetypal sleeper/cross-over hit (other notable British examples include Four Weddings, Slumdog Millionaire and Billy Elliot), growing enormously in popularity after its first week of Cinema screenings, in part because of word-of-mouth recommendations and a great deal of critical acclaim.

It appealed to a diverse audience, including an older (i.e. 50+) demographic, who will perhaps only visit the cinema once or twice a year.

Case Study 2: Inception (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, one of the big American studios.

Hollywood big-budget sci-fi thriller, with a budget of $160m. It grossed well over $800m.

A film with a high level of “bankability”; directed by Christopher Nolan (who also achieved great success with The Dark Knight, Memento and Insomnia), starring well regarded A-List actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Gangs of New York, Blood Diamond, The Departed) and based on a premise that has already proved popular in films such as The Matrix; that of an alternative, dream reality.

It was, for a big budget movie, typically well marketed, with heavy TV, poster and internet advertising presence, contributing to its success.

It also received a lot of critical praise. Mark Kermode said that it proves that “it is possible for blockbusters and art to be the same thing”.

It won 4 Oscars, for best Cinematography, Special Effects, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing (contrast this to the type of Oscars won by The King’s Speech, for example Best Actor). Indeed, it is a spectacular film audio-visually, with very advanced CGI effects. In this respect it is typical of many Hollywood blockbusters, although arguably with a more thought-provoking storyline. It stands in stark contrast to The King’s Speech, and many other British independent films, in that it defined as much for its narrative concept and special effects as it is for its characters.

A Level Film Studies

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