BBFC Institution Research:

1.) BBFC - otherwise known as "British Board of Film Censors" is responsible for the certification of films, to see if that they meet the agreed conducts for the audience, and to classify them e.g. PG 16, 12A etc.

2.) A film is refined by a series of processes, responsible by an examiner, whether it'd be specializing in games or movies. Normally an examiner would watch and analyze DVD's on their own, which is called to be "solo-viewing", however bigger institutions offer bigger attention, therefore cinema films require rating in teams of two. These examiners take into factors such as mainly: general context (plot, character etc), cinematography and language; sex; drugs etc.

3.) When BBFC undergoes classifying films, lots of issues will undoubtedly occur, and problems will conflict from criminal offences; law to discrimination and imitable behavior etc. What the next step will occur is to then look at things from the film's perspective, e.g. mildly sexual innuendos etc, but taking into an account for example that it was in a kid's 12A film would then obviously mean that it is absolutely inappropriate, therefore should have action taken.

4.) BBFC's reward to labeling The Dark Knight as a 12A certified film would probably have been controversial when just looking at the conventions of the movie alone, such as violence that wouldn't seem appropriate for 12+, at all. However taking into account the origin of the plot and characters- Batman who comes from DC - a comic company which would appeal to kids, hence the movie should do so too in some respect, but not all. So my honest opinion would be that BBFC did rightfully certify it as a 12A, knowing that it is a 21st century movie, and that our generation of kids are more accustomed to the violent nature of things, therefore it is a win-win for both the film's hits and for the wider range of audience it offers by doing this.

5.) The guidelines for a 15 certificate are an even and mild share of the following:

• strong violence
• frequent strong language
• sexual activity
• verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• discriminatory language or behavior
•  drug taking

6.) Attack The Block - Classified by BBFC as to be 15 uncut, probably due to the fact that it is a sub/hybrid genre of comedy, mixed with horror AND science-fiction - a very unusual and bizarre genres put together, and maybe this appeals to teenagers of our generation, who have unconventional views and like a mix of things.

MM52:

2.) Capitalist views from the Hunger Games

Arthouse film institution research:

Production: Independent film studios:

1.) 

• Donnie Darko was produced by the studio, Flower Films - an American production company founded in 1995 that produces films and television programs. 
• The Falling was produced by both British Film Institute and BBC Films - both being very successful companies in the British film world. 
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was produced by Anonymous Content and This is That. 'This is That' has grossed over 21 films.
• Appropriate Behaviour was produced by Parkville Pictures - an award-winning and BAFTA-nominated independent UK film production company based in London.
• Let the Right One in was actually interestingly produced by two companies from different countries - Sandrew Metronome from Sweden and Magnet Releasing from the US.

2.) The studio has produced other notable films such as: Charlie's Angels, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, 50 First Dates and more.

3.) Though a $93 million dollars budget that went into Charlie's Angels wasn't necessarily "low" at all, it is still one of the most successful films to Flower Films, having $264.1 million in just box-office. On the other hand, the lowest budget film from Flowers Films would be Whip It - almost a quarter of the budget that went into Charlie's Angels. The low budget did however reflect to its appeal, having only $16,633,035 in box-office.

Distribution: Independent film distributors:

1. and 2.) The 10 steps of a film distribution:

• The film production stage:
• Producers, directors and screenwriters begin planning the production
• Production finance and crew are finalized so that the production can actually start of the film can actually start i.e. filming
• Filming starts off, whether it'd be in a studio or on a location, then once all necessary footage is shot is when editing comes in

2, 3,4 and 5.)

• The distribution stage:
• Once production of the film has finished, distributors have the role of how the film is going to be released, in other words - a strategy. 
• The distributors will then take legal action for screening the films within the cinemas
• Distributors will then try to attract attention and create hype

6 and 7.)

• The final distribution stage:
• The film and disk, as well as the classification will be sent off to the cinema, prior a few days before it is premiered 
• The film runs for a fixed and agreed number of weeks, however can also increase if the demands are high

8.) The distributor lets BBFC to examine and certify that it meets all legal conducts for viewers in the cinema


3.)

• Donnie Darko was distributed by Pandora Films and Newmarket Films
• The Falling was distributed by Metrodome UK
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was distributed by Focus Features
• Appropriate Behavior was distributed by Gravitas Ventures 
• Let the Right One in was distributed by Artificial Eye 

4.)

• Donnie Darko has made quite a significant profit, taking note that it has the lowest budget out of all the films I analysed. It has a budget of $3.8 million and a box office of $7.6 million, resulting in profit of $4.2 million.
• The Falling has unfortunately made a really unfortunate loss. Starting with a budget of £750,000 and box-office hit of £368,378, resulting in a loss of £381,622
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has also made a huge profit, about three-quarters of it's starting budget of $20 million and then a box-office of $72.3 million, resulting in a profit of $52.3 million
• Let the Right One in has made the most profit, taking into account its low-budget of $4.5 million and box-office of $ 11,227.336 , resulting in a profit of $6727336.

5.) Curzon Artificial Eye is an English, British film distributor that is most significant compared to other distributors, given that it focuses on foreign-language films and art-house films in cinemas. The distributor allows opportunities of low-budget and art-house films to gain reputation, and is a hive of entertainment for film critics. It's high standard and quality of films that appeals to the art-house film audiences has reflected and is evident witht he directors that the company has worked with. The company has worked with (which is known to be one of the best directors in the world) Michael Haneke, Lars von Trier, Abbas Kiarostami and Andrei Tarkovsky.

6.) Ice and the Sky trailer:

This film trailer has allowed me to learn and use different types of sound effects that are non-diegetic, such as whooshes that add suspense and give an epic feeling that sutures the audience, as well as different formats of video such as for e.g. the 4:8 ratio, giving off the old, vintage conventions. The film has also noted to have great cinematography from different angles.

Mia Madre trailer:

  Mia Madre has exceptional cinematography too, especially the panning for a nice, subtle attention. Same as before with Ice and the Sky, non-diegetic sounds such as the muffled song in the background can help suture the audience and ultimately create an intentional emotion that is parallel to the clip.

Kiss of the Spider Woman trailer:

Like all of the previous cinematography shown in Mia Madre and Ice and the Sky, Kiss of the Spider Woman has exceptional use of it too. One thing to take note and definitely use in my film would be the slow panning on a clip of a character's facial expression, just to emphasize and add effect to it. Editing wise, cross fade transitions also allow for a nice effect, a sort of gloomy feeling that would maybe suitable for a memory or flashback.

Exhibition: Arthouse cinemas:

1.) The arthouse cinema I have chosen is ironically the Electric Cinema, based in London. The arthouse cinema is located in Notting Hill and Birmingham, London and is one of the oldest working cinemas in the country.

2.) The cinema screens both mainstream and arthouse films, and their programmes differ from major cinemas i.e. Vue because it gives films that are low-budget and the art of film aspects more appreciation, also raises a company's opportunity. It seems that major cinemas only care for making money, whereas arthouse genuinely want to embrace film arts. Films on this week in the Electric Cinema are: Bridge of Spies, Carol, The Dressmaker and Black Mass.

3.) The audience would most likely be aspiring filmakers, possibly because (as said before) arthouse films have more appreciation and professionalism in the filming aspect, so this then means they can be more innovative and be inspired. 

A case study in independent film production: Film London and Microwave Film:

1.) Film London is UK#s public agency for films and media. The appreciation of arthouse films is also evident because the agency/organisation is for non-profit. Film London's ultimate goal is to promote and develop film culture. It exists as the very foundation for uprising films, directors, etc.

2.) Microwave Film is a low-budget film fund that was raised in 2006, and the goal is to simply shoot a full-length feature film with a limit of £100,000 - it is ultimately open for aspiring film makers, film makers in documentaries, fiction, animation etc.

3.) London Calling is a film-funding project that is open to the pupils in London. London Calling also provides support such as training and mentoring - a great way for aspiring film makers to reach to the top, professional roles in the film industry. It's main goal is to basically find talented film makers. It encourages film making because the project essentially provides each team with everything they need, and all they need from themselves are their ideas, visions etc for a film.

4.)

Borrowed Time trailer:

Borrowed Time fits in very well for an arthouse and independent film because it's plot doesn't consist of something bizarre or completely alien to the real world like in mainstream movies, but it has realistic views of the real world, instead, and has attachments to some people in London as it might be a reflection to their own selves, given that it is about urban youth. Therefore target audience would most likely be for young, London teenagers.

  iLL Manors trailer:

iLL Manors, similar to Borrowed Time again revolves around the urban youth lifestyle of young, ghetto Londoners. The arthouse film is ideal as the plot sort of goes into the deeper side of gangs, drugs, violence etc. What we normally see of ghetto, money-deprived "chavs" to say is taken further, and therefore appeals again to teenagers, maybe even adults too, given maybe that they are fascinated by these kind of people.


Mum & Dad trailer:

 
Mum & Dad - a very sinister movie, particularly appealing to arthouse and independent films as it causes paranoia to whether the grim and grotesque plot could well and truly be one of your own and happen to you, seeing as it is realistic. It explores the story and truly creates a frightening story that sutures the audience in, which is why it fits into arthouse, but steers away from mainstream movies.

3 Tips for film production:

• Allow change - representation - conventional themes, mixed with the actual reality of things will cause incremental change and has an effect on the audience watching the movie, rather than just for entertainment
• Don't avoid little problems - things like too many characters, budget etc, little things can cause a huge problem in the end once you actually start production or half-way, so it is important to have an organized and good foundation
• Have realistic expectations - we're not working with professional, Hollywood standard equipment, so take all resources and put good use 

  

The Falling's clip starts off with a close-up and slight panning of a bruise, presumably from the young girl, given that her mis-en-scene reveals about her rough character from the shadowed eyes, almost no make-up, hence her tomboyish outlook and ultimately giving hints that she is the protagonist. A then panning shot to the right is seen, then suddenly a straight-cut to a completely, unexpected sex scene which may be some sort of a link to her, but not to the audience which then raises enigma codes and curiosity to what the clip meant.

The clip also seems absolutely contrapuntal to the mood that was initially set, but then the bizarre and abrupt sex scene of course did otherwise, and the director of this art house film has definitely done good so in playing around with the emotions. Furthermore is then a straight cut to a medium-close up camera shot after the sex scene. The medium-close up I think emphasizes on the protagonist's facial expression, and so we can see her staring blankly, meaning that the previous clip was some sort of a memory/flashback to her. To support this then is a very fast paced series of images, demonstrating a montage of again her memories.

Something noteworthy to add about the montage is that it also shows a stuttering flicker to perhaps show some sort of corruptness, loss of memory too? The transition then leads to the end of her school time, where a slow panning from the school bell leads to the medium shot of the school exit. The school's student crowd also adds more realism to the scene, to then again a slow 180 degrees slow panning, then to a long shot and straight cut of someone waiting.

Researching the film's main target audience, it has no specific set of people according to the director, Carol Morley, and that the film has "lots of accessible ideas" so it's really hard to pin down an exact group, but it's safe to say that it appeals to all ages of people. 

Donnie Darko starts off with contrapuntal sounds of a soothing, calm music that is played over the protagonist's past memory, along with the use of straight cut to suture people into the mood, to keep attention. Perhaps this was to reflect the happy memories the protagonist once had, so it would only make sense to add music that also reflected it. 

Camera movements from the cinematography are also very hard to spot, almost unnoticeable. We see a very, very slow camera movement that focuses onto the boy, also significant because it applies to the boy only, again evident of why he is the protagonist. Noteworthy is also the correlation between the level of how much the camera is zoomed in, to the importance of their dialogue - perhaps this is to show a clear view of emotions that each person gives from the medium-closeup. Similar to this is also the straight cut to a medium shot that shows both the therapist and the boy, this sort of breaks the tension as the protagonist delivers a significant and iconic line in the film. Then straight after returns to the medium-closeup to bring all attention back again. Reverse shots then play a part, back and forth.The 180 degree rule was also obviously well done, we can see a very deep-rooted conversation between the two characters, yet still keep attention, which the director of Donnie Darko has done very well so in doing.

The mis-en-scene and lighting has also been appropriately used. Casual clothing, along with the location set in the house, with low-key lighting to add realism totals up a perfect scene that involves a therapist/psychiatrist - a scene that would normally associate with the real world. 

The age range would be around teenagers, about 16+, mostly because the plot is something that includes phenomenons, superstition etc on a scientific basis, but some viewers may not even be aware of this.

       Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has great use of cinematography to add realism to the film. In the first few seconds we already see both variations of panning and tilting, almost as if its a hand held camera to then a straight cut, using the 180 degree rule properly. Tracking shots then emerge, adding realism to the cinematography as there are shakes that resemble e.g. someone walking - this sort of allows the audience as if they are the ones that peak through the bookshelves and follow around the two characters.

The mis-ens-scene for the girl is also an easy answer to who's the protagonist. Someone with bizarre clothing, red hair etc, a goth type look would obviously look the unusual, hence special type. Reverse shots are almost avoided while there is a tracking shot ongoing, instead it moves from one of the character's view (steadicam) to the other from tracking shots, again. Noticeable is also just the use of medium shots, from torso to face, it keeps a balance for both the facial expressions - an important role, especially in Romance genre movies like this, and the body language.

The target audience could be either teenager or adults, so probably a mix between the two would be a more likely option. I'd say teenager at first because they're known to be appealed by drama, hence Romance, too. 

Appropriate Behaviour. Straight from the beginning we hear a sound bridge, of a medium-ish long shot of the outside store to then a straight cut that leads to the actual scene. This gives the character subjectivity, e.g. store, hence shopping. It stresses the connection between the two scenes. With this being said, lots of medium shot variations are demonstrated, maybe for realistic reasons e.g. there just isn't enough space in the shop. We can also see a very slight shake, as well as slight tracking shots too, and this allows to shoot a scene all in one take while undergoing a medium shot, which makes it almost unnoticeable for the audience. However if close ups were used, so will reverse shots have to be used too, continuously, although it does allow a clear view of each character's facial expressions. 

Diegetic sounds such as the store's music also play during the entire clip scene, but it it almost unnoticeable, however it does set some kind of mood. Also significant is that the clip scene avoids silence, perhaps to avoid an awkward, tense mood, and that the music also loudens a tiny bit when there is no dialogue.    

Target audience would most likely be young adults, knowing that Appropriate Behaviour is a mix between romance, drama and comedy, and this mix of genres usually have a plot that appeals to young adults, maybe even teenagers.  

Let the Right One In - a vampire film, starts off with diegetic sound of the radio that would seem contrapuntal to a potential death scene that is about to occur, It messes with the emotion and confusion is caused.  

The mis-en-scene of the three gangster characters also show blatant invasion in the swimming pool area. They wear outdoor, casual clothing which would seem unusual in a swimming pool, so we can establish that they're obviously here for another reason, but definitely not to swim.

Cinematography also involves a tracking shot, focused on the eldest and antagonist perhaps? It sort of has a low angled crane shot, which asserts his dominance and proceeds to take his jacket off, raising action codes that he is about to get down to business. Other action codes also add tension to the scene, such as when he unsheathes his knife. Other close ups of the villains also allow us to see a facial expression, example at around 1 minute and 53 seconds, we see a worried face, coming even from one of the villains would exaggerate how sinister and bad the situation is. We're also left with a shot of the boy holding his breath for about 25 seconds - it creates a tension as the seconds build up, not knowing whether he is still holding his breath or has died from drowning.

Let the Right One in shares a genre of both Romance and Horror, quite similar to the Twilight series. The target audience for this film would be wider than an ordinary horror. It's Swedish, so it appeals to a totally different segment than the traditional Western audience. The film would appear less to those who would revolt themselves in the grotesque, violent, gore scenes, hence why the "horror" in this movie is much more subtle, so perhaps the Romance is used to broaden the appeal.