Feedback for Broken Soul Script

I got feedback on my script for my short film Broken Soul. I was asked by Mr Barton to cut down on the description for the scenes in my short film. I was also asked to change a location in one scene. 

Internet Piracy

To what extent does the Internet piracy pose a threat to the film industry?

Piracy has always been always been a issue for the film industry, but now in our contemporary society, Internet piracy is the biggest the industry has ever seen. Internet piracy, has become a big problem to the industry, this mean they are losing money, and the problem with piracy is worse than it has ever been, just because of the Internet.

The way modern technology is evolving means that any thing the film industry are doing to prevent piracy such as putting the films in 3D are not working, as the technology Is being developers that allows people to pirate them still. People can still pirate the film from torrent websites such as pirate bay and torrent hound, these websites are seen as organised crime so they get shut down occasionally by the FBI. But it is not long before the websites are up and running again. 

Piracy also make it easier for people to watch films from home, so they can watch it with there friends and family. Piracy is most common with people of younger generation. The reasons behind this is due to fact they are to young to see the films in the cinema, so they resort to piracy to watch them and they can have there friends round and make an event of it. 

As piracy is organised crime, the criminals make money from this, this is one of the biggest threats for the industry, as people are making money from the pirated films the industry are not making any money's from these film, this means people stop paying to see the film, this means a decline in film profit so this is why you can only see blockbusters at cinemas now a they know they are defiantly going to make money from then, they also release the films in 3D as well to body there revenues. 

Internet piracy, has become a big problem to the industry, this mean they are losing money, and the problem with piracy is worse than it has ever been, just because of the Internet.

History of Hollywood

The famous sign in Los Angeles, California was put up in 1923 to advertise a new housing development. Later it was modified to read as it does today, simply 'Hollywood'.

Why did the American film industry eventually base itself in Hollywood?

Hollywood was established in 1853, with a single adobe hut on land outside Los Angeles, California. Growing crops was so successful there that by 1870, Hollywood became a thriving agricultural community.

In the early 1900s, filmmakers began moving to the Los Angeles area to get away from the strict rules imposed by Thomas Edison's Motion Picture Patents Company in New Jersey. Since most of the moviemaking patents were owned by Edison, independent filmmakers were often sued by Edison to stop their productions.

To escape his control, and because of the ideal weather conditions and varied terrain, moviemakers began to arrive in Los Angeles to make their films. If agents from Edison's company came out west to find and stop these filmmakers, they escaped to Mexico.

Social Context

Hollywood Since 1975

• E.T. was a hit, so was star wars (Sci-fi, extra terrestrial, space-age technology)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind by Spielberg (combined Rocky and Stars Wars) - audience feedback
• Sitcoms and superheroes become popular
• Saturday Night Fever (1977) became a trend because of disco.
• Rise of dance (musical films) - Flashdance, Grease, Fame, Purple Rain, Dirty Dancing
• About making the audience fell good about themselves
• Young audience
• Money-making films were comedies for teens
• Self-conscious - refer to other films
• Rise of videos - buy or rent 
• Young people wanted to see more realistic teen portrayals - rise of teen movies - Porky's, Breakfast club, Pretty in Pink

Blockbusters

What similarities?

• previous audience

What characteristics?

• Post-Genre
• Widest possible audience appeal (male skew?)
• Spectacle - heavy focus on CGI, SFX and animation
• Event Movie
• Big Budget ($100,000,000 plus)
• Star driven
• Product - heavily marketed & hyped/tie-ins/merch
• Not character driven/motivation/depth (non CHN)
• Visual excess & Set Pieces over story & plot
• Franchises & Sequels/Prequels
• Homogenous & Cross-cultural - universal locale or identity
• Video game like experience blurs line between film & gaming
• Pre-sold audience based on novels, comics and games

What are the main points in the article?

• Piracy
• Development
• Hype of movies
• Global appeal to make more money - marketing

Why is Jaws so important?

• It was released nationwide rather than in cinemas at different times
• It was the highest earning movie in history, before Star Wars, at $260,000,000, and it was also the first film to ever exceed $100,000,000. 
• Unfortunately, it also changed the way people looked at sharks, and so a lot of people are now scared of them, and so whenever there is a shark attack, people hunt and kill them. 

CONCLUSION

I think that the summer blockbuster focuses on global appeal to make more money for marketing and they rely on the hype of the movie and 'film geeks'. I think that they have no depth in their ploy and they focus on CGI/SFX/animation. Re-creating similar plots. They are scared that if they recreate plots they will lose their fan base. 

Film Text & Context

New Info Unit F631: Film Text and Context Section B: Cinema:

The exam and its requirements – skim & present (2 mins – Trailer for Avengers)

How many questions & what topics?

Section A: Contemporary English-language Film

You must answer Question 1 or Question 2

1. Discuss how different groups in society are represented in the films you have studied.[40]

2. How are the key messages and values communicated in the films you have studied?[40]

Section B: Cinema in Context

Answer two questions in this section. Each question must be from a different topic area.

Early Cinema (1895-1915) 

3. Choose two films that were noted as significant in early cinema history. Explain why the two films
you have chosen are significant. [30] 

4. Why did the American film industry eventually base itself in Hollywood? [30]

The impact of World War II on British Cinema (1939-45)

5. Explain the reasons for the popularity of cinema-going during World War II (1939-1945). [30]

6. “Cinema became an extension of the British war effort in World War II (1939-1945).” With reference to examples, discuss to what extent this statement is true. [30]

The rise of the blockbuster, format wars and multiplexes (1972 – 1984)

7. What factors led to the decline of town or city centre cinemas in the late 1970s and early 1980s? [30]

8. “Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies.” Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s. [30]

Developments in 21st century cinema and film (2000 – present)

9. ”The introduction of the digital cinema network in the UK in recent years has greatly extended audience choice.” How far do you agree with this statement? [30]

10. To what extent does internet piracy pose a threat to the film industry? [30]

What relevance are knowing about Blockbusters?

There's more to write about them. Because they have a  higher budget, there's more depth to go into about production.

What case studies are you writing about?


What is Production? 


What is Distribution & Marketing?

What is Exhibition/Exchange?

What do we mean by context?

 BONUS Name the 2 most influential directors of these emerging types of films in 70's/80's?

Task: Defining the Blockbuster – what is it? Mentor pairs

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aep3Xdzi0H8 anatomy of a blockbuster & http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/context-economic-blockbuster-marketing.html – percentage of the total spend is the marketing budget – how is this broken down?

Work way through and create a mind map in your notes Characteristics of the Summer Blockbuster

Create Meaning

Top 5 & Micro Teach carousel

Create Meaning

What are the arguments around Blockbusters? Case Study: Transformers

Kermode on Transformers 3 & Truth about Blockbusters

Transformers 4 Product & Star-driven

Big Dumb Movies: Transformers

Your opinions – discussion on post it notes

Create Meaning – opinions on

Context: Economic Blockbuster Marketing Budgets (F...

Create Meaning

Identify Context & rewrite explanation in your own words – carousel and apply to a recent blockbuster you watched for Homework (Case Study)

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1975-rise-of-blockbuster-social.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/1975-rise-of-blockbuster-social.html

http://leighmediaasfilmessays12.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/skyfall-to-70s-cinema-attendance.html

Group 1: Social

Group 2: Technology

Group 3: Economic

Group 4: Conclusion – summarise how have all 3 contexts have affected the Production of these films? (Record a Mark Kermode style review of Summer Blockbusters 2012)

Discuss & Video feedback

End – Kermode on Transformers 4

Session 2

Die Hard Franchise - Geri-Action Blockbuster

Apply to demonstrate Activity: The next Blockbuster

Justify the quote

Create your own campaign poster for an Event Movie 2013 & pitch 'High Concept'

Star Wars & The Blockbuster

Apply to demonstrate/Review

Why are Blockbusters Lucas & Spielberg's Legacy? Use the video clips (Star Wars & Jaws) & the Lucasfilm image to write a response

Argument

Recent Releases

RoboCop Synopsis

BUDGET: $13 million

In 2028, multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years but the Dreyfuss Act, a publically-supported act preventing drones from being allowed to bear firearms, prevents the drones from being used locally. OmniCorp CEO Raymond Sellars has his marketing team, in conjunction with scientist Dr. Dennett Norton, to create a new law enforcement product by combining human and machine in the hopes of changing public opinion and raising OmniCorp's profits.

Policeman Alex Murphy is critically injured by a carbomb planted by crooked cops outside his house under the payroll of local crime boss Antoine Vallon. Norton picks Murphy for the Robocop program, and after getting consent from Murphy's wife, Clara, has him outfitted with the Robocop body and software, which gives him enhanced strength along with instant computing information in his brain. Alex at first rejects his current condition, but is convinced by Norton to be strong for his wife and son. Rick Mattox, OmniCorp's military tactician, is skeptical of Alex's abilities and points out he will never be as efficient as a drone. In order to make Alex perform better, Norton tampers with Alex's brain, making him believe that his tactical decisions are his own when he is actually executing programs.

While preparing for a public press conference to unveil Robocop, Alex is emotionally overwhelmed and has a seizure while downloading the police database information into his brain. Pressed for time, Norton has Alex's brain chemistry altered, lowering his dopamine levels until he no longer displays any emotions. Under control, Alex attends the press conference, where he ignores his waiting wife and son, and efficiently apprehends a criminal in the crowd. RoboCop is a public relations success, and afterward Alex is successful in drastically reducing the crime rate in Detroit. Public opinion on the Dreyfuss Act begins to turn.

Clara, who has been prevented by OmniCorp from seeing Alex, manages to confront her husband as he is leaving the station, telling him about his son David's nightmares. Alex leaves, but then overrides his programming and detours from his current case to go to his house. He reviews the CCTV footage of his accident and realizes that David saw his body and was traumatized by it. Alex then pursues Vallon for revenge, tracking him down to a warehouse where Alex then kills everyone. Alex then returns to the station to apprehend the two cops who sold him out; they tell him that the Chief of Police is in on it. Alex kills the two cops, and is about to arrest the Chief of Police when Mattox, who has been given full access to the Robocop program, remotely shuts him down.

Sellars decides to spin this turn of events to his advantage, via television presenter Pat Novak, who thanks RoboCop for revealing the fallibility of the police, and points out that drones are incorruptible. A repeal of the Dreyfuss Act goes underway, with votes overwhelmingly in support of the repeal. Sellars tells Norton that RoboCop is no longer relevant, and sends Mattox to destroy him. Norton reaches Alex in the lab first and has him brought back to consciousness, telling him everything. Alex, feeling betrayed, goes after Sellars.

Sellars has the OmniCorp building shut down and armed with drones. Alex manages to gain entry with the help of his former partner, Jack Lewis (Michael K. Williams) and other police officers. Alex reaches the roof, where Sellars is waiting for a helicopter and has Clara and David as hostages. Alex's programming prevents him from arresting Sellars, but he manages to overcome it just long enough to shoot Sellars, killing him.

In the closing scenes, OmniCorp's parent company, OCP, decides to review the drone and RoboCop program. The President vetoes the repeal of the Dreyfuss Act based on the testimony of Norton, who confesses everything they'd done in the RoboCop program. Alex's body is rebuilt in Norton's laboratory, and then he waits for Clara and David, who are coming to visit him.

Film Review on RoboCop

I did my review on RoboCop, however I didn't want to voice my views so I did this alternative instead.

Who's There Title Sequence

Half Term Homework: Prep for Mock Exam 1 Week 1

TASK 4:

Pitch 'the next blockbuster' - record the pitch and swede a 30 sec trailer

TRAILER FOR MISSION CONTROL

Half Term Homework: Prep for Mock Exam 1 Week 1

TASK 3:

Watch the video and identify the arguments from Mark Kermode

What are the criticisms of Big Dumb Movies?

What is your standpoint on this - how did we get to the point where the cinema is dominated by these films?

APPLY:

Record your own review of the Blockbusters in the cinema over half term in the style of Mark Kermode

Half Term Homework: Prep for Mock Exam 1 Week 1

TASK 2:
Read & Apply- Case Study of a newly released Blockbuster

Transformers: Age of Extinction

• Post-Genre
• Widest possible audience appeal (male skew?)
• Spectacle - heavy focus on CGI, SFX and animation
• Event Movie
• Big Budget ($100,000,000 plus)
• Star driven
• Product - heavily marketed & hyped/tie-ins/merch
• Not character driven/motivation/depth (non CHN)
• Visual excess & Set Pieces over story & plot
• Franchises & Sequels/Prequels
• Homogenous & Cross-cultural - universal locale or identity
• Video game like experience blurs line between film & gaming
• Pre-sold audience based on novels, comics and games

TRAILER

Half Term Homework: Prep for Mock Exam 1 Week 1

TASK 1: 

What was so significant about Jaws?

Jaws is the first film to ever be released nationwide all at once, instead of hitting different theatres all at different times. At a time, it was also the highest earning movie of all history, until Star Wars arrived. It was the first movie ever to go past the 100 million dollar box office. It won several awards and is also listed in many top film lists. It is one of the most successful and groundbreaking films of all time.

Outline the characteristics of a Blockbuster

1. Simple, easy to understand storylines with global appeal.
2. Simple characters with simple motives.
3. Marketed on their spectacular look (inc. CGI). Visual impact may be more important than the dialogue.
4. Marketed as a 'brand' Franchising also includes toys, games, clothes, bed linen...

APPLY:

Identify a newly released Blockbuster now showing at the cinema

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014):

Transformers: Age of Extinction is an upcoming American science fiction action film based on the Transformers franchise. It is the fourth installment of the live-action Transformers film series starring Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Sophia Myles, Stanley Tucci and Kelsey Grammer. It is a sequel to Transformers: Dark of the Moon, taking place four years after the invasion of Chicago.

Analyse the promotion and mind map - poster, trailer, merchandising and identify

Alongside the east wall of Columbus Drive heading northbound toward Randolph, there is a massive wall of Transformers propaganda posters.

There are even promotion products already, such as different drink bottles, toys and lunchboxes.

              

And magazines promoting the new film.

Plus a preview of the film showed on the Super Bowl advert.

Unit Film Text and Context Mock Exam

Animation Storyboard

9 Key Frames for Broken Soul

Key Frame 1

Key Frame 2

Key Frame 3

Key Frame 4

Key Frame 5

Key Frame 6

Key Frame 7

Key Frame 8

Key Frame 9

Visual

This is the first storyboard for my film sequence Broken Soul. It includes elements from the different ideas that I have gathered for it, such as the props, characters, lighting and editing.