Wednesday, 25 February 2009
MAN ON WIRE - Laz
Task 2
Story and Plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
The film is a documentary about a French tight rope walker who illegally rigged a wire between New York’s twin towers, when halfway, he was arrested and sent to prison for 6 years and psychologically evaluated. As he served his time in prison, he planned to do the walk again, this time however it was far more precisely planned. The film follows the life of Philippe Petit, and the people who helped him achieve the artistic crime of the century. The film does not relate to British subject matter in any way, as it’s about a French man, and the setting is in New York.
Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
As the film is a documentary, the main characters are played by themselves, most French or American, however, some of the less involved characters are played by actors
Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know of any other films they have directed?
James Marsh directed the film, he is British, and has also directed other films such as Nineteen Eighty, The King, and Wisconsin Death Trip.
Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
The style of the film is unusual because it’s a documentary, it involves actual film footage from the seventies, some re-enactments, and a large number of photos. In some parts it is also quite funny.
Mamma Mia
Introduction: What is British film?
Task 2:
In a group, choose one of these films to research and discover what you think made them eligible for the British film award nomination. You should consider:
Story and plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
Set on a colorful Greek island
ABBA songs.
A young woman, Sophie about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother.
Her mother, Donna, was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos.
In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.
During a batchelor party, the two men also conclude that they could be the father, and separately, each tells Sophie that he will be the one to give her away at the wedding. Surrounded by her mother, her fiancé, and all three potential fathers, Sophie faints over her dilemma.
During the wedding ceremony, Donna finally mentions the "father" issue, and the secrets begin unravelling: all three potential fathers publicly claim be Sophie's father and agree to happily take a 'third' each.
Sophie and Sky decide to postpone the wedding, as Sky wanted all along, and to take a trip around the world together.
Sam proposes to Donna, revealing that after falling for her two decades previously, he had to go back to England to break off his engagement
No settings and few actors are british, so it is more of a world wide film.
Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
Majority of the main characters are American, with some British, who are the well known stars. The ‘extra’s’ are Greek.
Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know any other films that they have directed?
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Nationality: British
Other films they have directred: no films, but a TV programme-Gloriana.
Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
Style: colourful, vibrant type of film which is enjoyable.
Genre: Does it belong to a specific genre? If so which? Does it remind you of any other films?
Comedy, Music and Romance.
Production company: Who financed the film? Where is the production company based? Is it a co-production from different countries? Did any of the films receive funding from the Film Council?
Financed the film : Universal Pictures-based in Hollywood.
Distribution: Who promoted the film? Where and how was it promoted?
Promoted by Universal through their own promotion companies.
Exhibition: When was it released? What kind of release strategy did it have, how many prints were available? What was the competition?
Released: 10 July 2008 (UK)
Release Stratergy: One of the first films to be released straight from cinema to blue-ray
Competitors: Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda
The reason why this film is British is because:
3 of the main characters are from England, and one from Ireland.
The director is British.
Emily and sophie
Task 2:
In a group, choose one of these films to research and discover what you think made them eligible for the British film award nomination. You should consider:
Story and plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
Set on a colorful Greek island
ABBA songs.
A young woman, Sophie about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother.
Her mother, Donna, was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos.
In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.
During a batchelor party, the two men also conclude that they could be the father, and separately, each tells Sophie that he will be the one to give her away at the wedding. Surrounded by her mother, her fiancé, and all three potential fathers, Sophie faints over her dilemma.
During the wedding ceremony, Donna finally mentions the "father" issue, and the secrets begin unravelling: all three potential fathers publicly claim be Sophie's father and agree to happily take a 'third' each.
Sophie and Sky decide to postpone the wedding, as Sky wanted all along, and to take a trip around the world together.
Sam proposes to Donna, revealing that after falling for her two decades previously, he had to go back to England to break off his engagement
No settings and few actors are british, so it is more of a world wide film.
Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
Majority of the main characters are American, with some British, who are the well known stars. The ‘extra’s’ are Greek.
Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know any other films that they have directed?
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Nationality: British
Other films they have directred: no films, but a TV programme-Gloriana.
Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
Style: colourful, vibrant type of film which is enjoyable.
Genre: Does it belong to a specific genre? If so which? Does it remind you of any other films?
Comedy, Music and Romance.
Production company: Who financed the film? Where is the production company based? Is it a co-production from different countries? Did any of the films receive funding from the Film Council?
Financed the film : Universal Pictures-based in Hollywood.
Distribution: Who promoted the film? Where and how was it promoted?
Promoted by Universal through their own promotion companies.
Exhibition: When was it released? What kind of release strategy did it have, how many prints were available? What was the competition?
Released: 10 July 2008 (UK)
Release Stratergy: One of the first films to be released straight from cinema to blue-ray
Competitors: Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda
The reason why this film is British is because:
3 of the main characters are from England, and one from Ireland.
The director is British.
Emily and sophie
Tom Sarjant - Eleanore Louise Cummings - Smeleanor Graves
Introduction: What is a British Film?
Mamma Mia
Tom Sarjant:
Set on a colourful Greek island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of ABBA songs. A young woman about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother, Donna, who was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos. In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.
The film has both British and American actors so isn’t in that way British. The story line doesn’t portray British stereotypes – it is a romantic comedy based on Abba songs which is not British, it’s Swedish.
The cast is a mix between British and American and some other nationalities such as Swedish actors/actresses. There are some very famous names on the cast such as Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth as well as other less well known actors/actresses.
The Director of Mamma Mia! is Phyllida Lloyd. She also directed Gloriana in 2000. Phyllida Lloyd (born 17 June 1957) is an English director, best known for her work in theatre. In 2006, Lloyd received two academic honours: Oxford University named her Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, and she was awarded an honorary degree from Bristol University. She was also named one of the 100 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain by the Independent.
In 1999 Lloyd was offered the chance to direct the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which became a hit, not only in the West End and on Broadway, but worldwide. She directed the 2008 cinematic adaptation, which marked her feature debut. By the end of 2008, the film had been certified as the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office. It was also certified as the UK's biggest-selling DVD of all time.
4. The style of Mamma Mia is different to the conventional film. It is an adaptation of a musical and a mix between a musical and a film. It is a happy film in terms of atmosphere and has a light hearted story line. The film is clearly popular with many age groups and social classes as it smashed many British records in terms of sales. However it is not characteristically British.
Eleanore-Louise Cummings:
The genre of Mamma Mia is romantic comedy musical. The other films it reminds me of is The Producer which also fit into this category.
The following things connect to why it is a musical romantic comedy:
The Following are Production companies financed Mamma Mia :
Universal Pictures (presents) , Littlestar Productions (as Littlestar), Relativity Media (in association with) , Playtone, Internationale Film production Richter.#
Most of the filming was done on the small Greek island of Skopelos (during August/September 2007),[8] and the seaside hamlet of Damouchari in the Pelion area of Greece. On Skopelos, Kastani beach on the south west coast was the film's main location site.[8] The producers built a beach bar and jetty along the beach, but removed them both when they left.[8]
Other parts of the film were produced on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios, where lighting and temperature could be controlled. Production offices for the film were based at Pinewood Studios.
The part of the film where two of the characters miss the last ferry to the island was filmed at the old port of Skiathos.
Both composers, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, appear in minor, uncredited roles in the film. Andersson, dressed as a fisherman, plays the piano in "Dancing Queen" as the cast dances; Ulvaeus is a Greek god (with lyre) showering the girls with gold dust during the closing credits.
Actress Meryl Streep had taken opera singing lessons as a child, and as an adult, she had previously sung in several movies, including Postcards from the Edge, Silkwood, and A Prairie Home Companion.[9]
The Mamma Mia! trailer was released the week of December 10, 2007 first on Entertainment Tonight, then released to the internet. A high quality version can be found on the film's official site.
Eleanor Graves:
Introduction: What is a British Film?
Task 1:
MAN ON WIRE HUNGER IN BRUGES MAMMA MIA! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Task 2:
Distribution
Hostess is partnered with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion of Mamma Mia
Where and how was it promoted?
Hostess(R) is partnering with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion that brings together America's favorite smart snacking sweet treat – Hostess 100 Calorie Packs – and one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of the summer – the musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia! In connection with the film's theatrical release, Hostess is offering the chance to win a Mamma Mia!-themed grand prize that includes a VIP trip to Las Vegas for six with travel and accommodations, $1,000 spending money, VIP backstage passes to the Las Vegas stage version of the musical and more. In addition, 10,000 first prize winners will receive "Movie Money Tickets" with over 200 winners per day
Exhibition:
Mamma Mia was released in London 30 June 2008, it released over 5 million copies since being released in November 2008 on DVD, 10 copies being sold every second. The competition was The dark knight,
On November 24, Mamma Mia! became the fastest-selling DVD of all time in the UK, according to Official UK Charts Company figures. It sold 1,669,084 copies on its first day of release, breaking the previous record (held by Titanic) by 560,000 copies. By the end of 2008, The Official UK Charts Company declared it had become the biggest selling DVD ever in the UK, with one in every four households owning a copy (over 5 million copies sold).[36] The record was previously held by Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl with sales of 4.7 million copies.
On November 26, 2008, Mamma Mia! became the best-selling DVD in Finland, by selling 110,000 copies and is the first DVD to earn a platinum award in that country.
In the United States the DVD made over $30 million on its first day of release.[37]
By December 31, 2008, Mamma Mia! had become the best-selling DVD of all time in Sweden with 545,000 copies sold.[38]
The DVD was released as a single-disc edition and a two-disc special edition.
Love to all xoxo Gossip Girl
Mamma Mia
Tom Sarjant:
Set on a colourful Greek island, the plot serves as a background for a wealth of ABBA songs. A young woman about to be married discovers that any one of three men could be her father. She invites all three to the wedding without telling her mother, Donna, who was once the lead singer of Donna and the Dynamos. In the meantime, Donna has invited her backup singers, Rosie and Tanya.
The film has both British and American actors so isn’t in that way British. The story line doesn’t portray British stereotypes – it is a romantic comedy based on Abba songs which is not British, it’s Swedish.
The cast is a mix between British and American and some other nationalities such as Swedish actors/actresses. There are some very famous names on the cast such as Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth as well as other less well known actors/actresses.
The Director of Mamma Mia! is Phyllida Lloyd. She also directed Gloriana in 2000. Phyllida Lloyd (born 17 June 1957) is an English director, best known for her work in theatre. In 2006, Lloyd received two academic honours: Oxford University named her Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, and she was awarded an honorary degree from Bristol University. She was also named one of the 100 most influential gay and lesbian people in Britain by the Independent.
In 1999 Lloyd was offered the chance to direct the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which became a hit, not only in the West End and on Broadway, but worldwide. She directed the 2008 cinematic adaptation, which marked her feature debut. By the end of 2008, the film had been certified as the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office. It was also certified as the UK's biggest-selling DVD of all time.
4. The style of Mamma Mia is different to the conventional film. It is an adaptation of a musical and a mix between a musical and a film. It is a happy film in terms of atmosphere and has a light hearted story line. The film is clearly popular with many age groups and social classes as it smashed many British records in terms of sales. However it is not characteristically British.
Eleanore-Louise Cummings:
The genre of Mamma Mia is romantic comedy musical. The other films it reminds me of is The Producer which also fit into this category.
The following things connect to why it is a musical romantic comedy:
The Following are Production companies financed Mamma Mia :
Universal Pictures (presents) , Littlestar Productions (as Littlestar), Relativity Media (in association with) , Playtone, Internationale Film production Richter.#
Most of the filming was done on the small Greek island of Skopelos (during August/September 2007),[8] and the seaside hamlet of Damouchari in the Pelion area of Greece. On Skopelos, Kastani beach on the south west coast was the film's main location site.[8] The producers built a beach bar and jetty along the beach, but removed them both when they left.[8]
Other parts of the film were produced on the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios, where lighting and temperature could be controlled. Production offices for the film were based at Pinewood Studios.
The part of the film where two of the characters miss the last ferry to the island was filmed at the old port of Skiathos.
Both composers, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, appear in minor, uncredited roles in the film. Andersson, dressed as a fisherman, plays the piano in "Dancing Queen" as the cast dances; Ulvaeus is a Greek god (with lyre) showering the girls with gold dust during the closing credits.
Actress Meryl Streep had taken opera singing lessons as a child, and as an adult, she had previously sung in several movies, including Postcards from the Edge, Silkwood, and A Prairie Home Companion.[9]
The Mamma Mia! trailer was released the week of December 10, 2007 first on Entertainment Tonight, then released to the internet. A high quality version can be found on the film's official site.
Eleanor Graves:
Introduction: What is a British Film?
Task 1:
MAN ON WIRE HUNGER IN BRUGES MAMMA MIA! SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Task 2:
Distribution
Hostess is partnered with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion of Mamma Mia
Where and how was it promoted?
Hostess(R) is partnering with Universal Pictures for a blockbuster promotion that brings together America's favorite smart snacking sweet treat – Hostess 100 Calorie Packs – and one of the most anticipated theatrical releases of the summer – the musical romantic comedy Mamma Mia! In connection with the film's theatrical release, Hostess is offering the chance to win a Mamma Mia!-themed grand prize that includes a VIP trip to Las Vegas for six with travel and accommodations, $1,000 spending money, VIP backstage passes to the Las Vegas stage version of the musical and more. In addition, 10,000 first prize winners will receive "Movie Money Tickets" with over 200 winners per day
Exhibition:
Mamma Mia was released in London 30 June 2008, it released over 5 million copies since being released in November 2008 on DVD, 10 copies being sold every second. The competition was The dark knight,
On November 24, Mamma Mia! became the fastest-selling DVD of all time in the UK, according to Official UK Charts Company figures. It sold 1,669,084 copies on its first day of release, breaking the previous record (held by Titanic) by 560,000 copies. By the end of 2008, The Official UK Charts Company declared it had become the biggest selling DVD ever in the UK, with one in every four households owning a copy (over 5 million copies sold).[36] The record was previously held by Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl with sales of 4.7 million copies.
On November 26, 2008, Mamma Mia! became the best-selling DVD in Finland, by selling 110,000 copies and is the first DVD to earn a platinum award in that country.
In the United States the DVD made over $30 million on its first day of release.[37]
By December 31, 2008, Mamma Mia! had become the best-selling DVD of all time in Sweden with 545,000 copies sold.[38]
The DVD was released as a single-disc edition and a two-disc special edition.
Love to all xoxo Gossip Girl
Friday, 13 February 2009
What is a British Film?
Task 1:
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards, sometimes referred to as the British Oscars, have an Outstanding British Film category. Go to their current Film Awards page and list the titles of the films that were nominated for this award, as well as the winner.
Task 2:
In a group, choose one of these films to research and discover what you think made them eligible for the British film award nomination. You should consider:
- Story and plot: What is the film about? Does it relate to British subject matter?
- Actors: What nationality? Are stars used in the film?
- Director: Who is the director of the film? What nationality are they? Do you know any other films that they have directed?
- Style: How would you characterise the style of the film?
- Genre: Does it belong to a specific genre? If so which? Does it remind you of any other films?
- Production company: Who financed the film? Where is the production company based? Is it a co-production from different countries? Did any of the films receive funding from the Film Council?
- Distribution: Who promoted the film? Where and how was it promoted?
- Exhibition: When was it released? What kind of release strategy did it have, how many prints were available? What was the competition?
Use the following sites to help you: IMDB , ScreenOnline , the UK Film Council , plus the specific sites for the films themselves.
If possible, find a clip of the film on Youtube and add it to the blog.
Introduction
This is the blog where AS-level Media Studies students from Bromsgrove School can post their notes and findings about the British Film Industry, in preparation for Part B of the "Key Concepts" examination.
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