Log Lines

In a quick starter in class we learnt about log lines. I learnt that log lines are a quick summary of the film. They are usually a sentence or two which opens up questions in which the audience will then want the answers to meaning they must watch the film to order to gain these answers. These are often used to draw in audiences and help create interest.

Example

''Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child'' - Juno

Synergy

Synergy By Annie Sadowski from anniesadowski

Audience Postioning

Created with Padlet

Independent vs Hollywood

Hollywood 
Hollywood companies are known to be more vertically integrated, meaning the companies will usually own a number of stages which can help getting the film to the audience. For instance the production company may be owned by the studio along with the distributor and in some cases the studio may even own the cinema.Overall Hollywood studios have a lot of financial back up with a well trained marketing system therefore they have a bigger advantage compared to independent companies.

Independent 
Independent however will find it difficult to find a distributor, for instance in contrast to the Hollywood companies who usually have a distributor in place before the production begins independent films once completed then go on to have to find a film distributor. The most common ways independent films will be brought by distributors if there is a set fee in which the producers receive none of the profits.
Recently from looking at this article  http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2013/11/18/media-journal-independent-movies-go-mainstream-with-hollywood-help/
 i have found that independent films are seeking the help of Hollywood studios to help with the distribution and marketing. A well known example of this is the popular box office hit 'Ted'. This is happening more often as Hollywood studios are taking fewer risks with their money and instead investing in what is known as ' tentpole movies'

Film Marketing and Distribution

Film Marketing And Distribution 

Film Marketing 

Film marketing is basically the promotion of films so when they are released they sustain a place in the market.Film companies promote their films to get them into the cinemas and then finally on to DVD. However film distribution is seen as a crucial processes as it determines if the companies are financially stable for example if they need to get back the substantial amount they invested on the production of the film in order to make a profit. There are two main categories in which companies will try to advertise their film.

Inception went to an extreme in order to advertise the film,
audiences as a result become more intrigued and
more likely to watch it. This is an example of
a successful marketing 

Above the line
This method involves advertising their film that is funded as part as the product, this involves 

• Trailers 
• Spins offs/related media products 
• Billboards 
• Posters 

Below the Line 

This is promotion that is not paid for but creates an interest for example 

• Interviews 
• Magazines/ newspapers

Film Distribution 

Film distribution is what happens in between the production and exhibition of the film, it involves getting deals in order to get the film shown which leads on the the two types categories  of advertisement mentioned before. There are five main distributors in the UK film industry these are usually directed to Hollywood production companies which means there films are going to be recognized quickly and more successful.

 Five important distributors in the UK are: 

Key words that are linked to film distribution 

• Twentieth Century Fox 
• Sony 
• Warner Brothers 
• United International Pictures 
• Buena Vista 

Media Institutions

Media Institutions 

An institution is something that plays a major role in peoples lives for example school, media
When it comes to media it is more focused on the institutions responsible for producing media texts. A conglomerate is a large parent company which owns a range of smaller companies an example of this is Rupert Murdoch who is the second largest media conglomerate in the world.He owns the news corporation and has taken over News of the world and The Sun. 

The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney company is a mass media corporation and is one of the largest conglomerate in the world founded by Walt and Roy Disney it soon branched into live-action film production, television, and travel.It then expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theater, radio, music, publishing, and online media. This large conglomerate is best known for its film studios

Film Ratings

Films can be categorized in to ratings this is usually to inform there may be some sensitive content which is not suitable for younger ages.
Examples of ratings include:

U- Suitable for all
PG- Parental Guidance 
12- Suitable for 12 and over 
15- Suitable for 15 and over
18- Suitable only for adults
         
When films are given a rating this decision can change as some argue the sensitivity of the film and if the content meets the criteria of that age rating may mean its needs to be moved up or down.

Representation Of Gender In Thriller

Psycho includes the stereotypical
villain male.

A common way in which men are represented is they are portrayed as the villain of the film, this is completely opposite to the protagonist which is usually a young vulnerable woman. An example of a film which portrays this typical representation is Scream, it includes a young, vulnerable woman who is home alone and is being watched by a male antagonist. Another film which shows this representation is Psycho it has the mystery male antagonist and the female victim. A well known thriller which of course follows the same pattern is 'Nightmare On Elm Street' a male villain who terrorizes  younger years.

Males in thrillers are often depicted as physically strong, this is what makes them suited for the villain. Men in most films are stereotypically represented as being the dominant and a powerful figure therefore are seen as intimidating.



Nightmare on Elm Street includes a
male villain also

Another representation of men in thrillers is they are often the hero, as they are portrayed as strong and 'hard men' accustomed to danger. This is usually also accompanied by a female in need of help who is saved by the male hero. Men tend to have the more active roles as they are shown as fearless, clever and independent.

Females in thrillers are depicted as weak and vulnerable therefore are commonly the victim. This is due to them not being able to fight back.

Narrative Theory

Narrative Theory 

Vladimir Propp 

Proposed that all stories have the same internal structure and characters can be grouped in to eight main character roles. These are: 

• The villain 
• The donor
• The hero                                                     
• The princess
• The helper who aids the hero                
• Her father
• The dispatcher                                          
• The false hero

He also proposed the functions of a narrative 

Preparation: Introduction to the story

Complication:Keys or clues to the direction of the story

Transference: The donor events

Struggle:Dealing with the complications

Vladimir Propp

Return: Back to home however there are still issues remaining

Recognition: Loose ends are tied up

Genre Typecasting Of Actors

Genre Typecasting 

Daniel Craig - James Bond

Genres can be identified through iconic star members, this is known as star association. Actors can increase audience figures when there are well known and liked this is because audience members will like and trust the type of film typecasting. For example Tom Cruise is renowned for drawing in mass audiences because of this Hollywood institutions are prepared to pay a huge proportion of their overall budget to ensure they have an iconic actor.

Pierce Brosnan, the old James Bond due to his high fees and demands for an increase in pay Daniel Craig a lesser known actor was cast. Two James Bond films later the audience became more familiar with him and Daniel Craig is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. In this case typecasting an actor in to a famous blockbuster action adventure film had brought him more roles within this genre as well as a huge increase of income.

Some actors manage to work in multiple genres, an example is Tom Hanks

• Comedies
• Thrillers
• Action

A typical romantic comedy that Jennifer
 Aniston is often associated with

Whilst other actors are only ever seen in a particular genre. Typecasting to such a tight remit can help audience members quickly associate a film genre from a film poster displaying the type cast actor such as Jennifer Aniston she would be conventionally seen in romantic comedies.

There are disadvantages to this typecasting as there will be a time in which her roles will be limited as it may not appeal to the audience.Meaning a new actress will have to replace this role however the audience may feel unable to connect with these films or identify its genre as easy.

Audiences

Audiences

An audience is an individual or group of people who read or consume any media text. Without an audience there would be no profit. In order to ensure a stable profit there should be research in to the audience and what type the film is aimed at to help them attract an audience As audiences are important for profit, organizations are having to compete with each other these results in new ideas having to be created to intrigue people.

To research audiences media companies spend a great deal of time and money to find out who would be interested in their product. They do this by completing:

• Questionnaires
• Focus groups
• Pre-film screenings

Who measures audiences?
Organisations that measure audiences:
NRS  http://www.nrs.co.uk/
BARB http://www.barb.co.uk/

New Media
New ways in which we can measure audience include:

• Facebook likes
• Views on YouTube
• Twitter trends

Types of Research

Quantitative
Quantitative research is more number based these tend to be more factual and use closed questions, an example of a quantitative data is a questionnaire.

Qualitative
Qualitative research analyses existing products in contrast to quantitative the questions are more open these help generate an interpretation, an example of this type of research is interviews.

• Mass audience which can be also described as the broadcast audience is basically a large audience in contrast to a niche audience which is smaller but influential.

Demographic- Audience's age, race, gender, nationality and class.
Psychographic- Audience's interests, beliefs and hobbies.

What types of media texts would they consume
http://www.thinkbox.tv/server/show/nav.914

Group A

Lawyers

Doctors

Scientists

Well paid professionals

Group B
Teachers

Middle management

Fairly well paid professional

Group C1

Junior management

Bank clerks

Nurses

'White collar' professions

Group C2
Electricians
Plumber
Carpenters
'Blue Collar' professions

Group D

Manual workers such as:

Drivers

Post sorters

Group E
Students
Unemployed
Pensioners



Katz and Blumler

Katz and Blumler did research in to audience behaviour and  proposed that audiences use media for a variety of reasons, such as: 

1. Information Audiences use medias such as newspapers to learn about current events, educating themselves on what is occurring throughout the world or in their community.
2. Personal Identity They also proposed audiences use media to find models of behaviour and reinforce personal values. Examples include Twitter and Facebook.
3. Integration and Social Interaction Insight into circumstances of others such as social empathy and being able to relate and identify with others. Audiences often find these connections in common TV dramas.

The Impact Of New Technology 
Old media such as TV, print and radio have to work harder to maintain an audience due to the new digital technology which is becoming more popular with audiences. This is resulting in audiences becoming fragmented.

Considering Audience

Audience Engagement-
this involves how an audience interacts with a media text from this we see how different people react in varied ways.
Audience Expectations-
Ideas the audience have in advance of seeing a media text.This usually applies to genre pieces.

Comprehending Time

Comprehending Time 

In films very few screen stories take place in real time. For example we often see whole lives within 90 minutes of a feature film or a 8 month siege within a 60 minute TV documentary. There are many conventions that denote time passing, for example the time/date information typed up on each new scene of 'The X Files'

Other devices to manipulate time include:

• Flashbacks
• Dream Sequences
• Repetition
• Different Characters' POV
• Flash Forwards
• Real Life Interludes
• Pre- figuring of events that have not yet taken place

An example of a film which includes the use of flashbacks is 'The Butterfly Effect' . These are seen when the main character can redo parts of his past.