Thursday 28 March 2013

Attack The Block vs Transformers 3

Research the way one recent film four films were marketed and compare it to the way a Hollywood Blockbuster was.

Attack the block marketing campaign focused on using forms of Viral marketing to create an online hype, as opposed to other methods due to their low budget. Attack the block was mainly advertised online on websites that young people from UK visited. However, Attack the block was also advertised on posters and Bus Stops within London.  In contrast, Transformers 3 marketing campaign was of a much bigger scale. A 30 television advertisement for the film aired during Super Bowl XLV on Fox on February 6, 2011 with targeted a mass audience. As well as this, Transformers was advertised on Billboards, Bus Stops, Buses, Online, in Newspapers and many of media platforms globally.

There was an evident difference between publicity of Attack the Block and Transformers in view of the fact Transformers was a heavily financially endorsed blockbuster while Attack the block was an independent movie. Transformers 3 followed two successful films in it series so therefore already had awareness. Lead actor Shia LaBeouf, was a renowned award winning actor who had starred in various successful films prior to his involvement in the Transformers series. Therefore, his fans would watch the film. He also featured in various TV features, targeting a mass audience, in particularly Interviews and chat shows were awareness for the movie was dramatically increased. As well as this, the movies cast consisted of famous people such as singer Tyrese Gibson and fashion model Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley who both had headline news articles during the time. This differed from attack the block which had relatively no publicly prior to its release until it got good critical reception and was re-released.

Similarly, there was a significant difference in the promotional campaign of Attack the Block and Transformers 3. Using a website as their main hub, Attack the block were able to link to other pages which could be shared on various social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. The website was also where the trailer could be viewed. The also had an online game which could also be shared through social networking. The aim of this was to create an online hype and to target their audience directly as they know a high proportion of youth use these social networking sites. Popularity of the film could be increased dramatically as people pass it on through word of mouth. This was an effective method of promotion and also cheap. On the other hand, Transformers 3 opted for a financially big promotional campaign. The movie endorsed the new line of Hasbro toys which were transformers characters. They also had there trailer featured on various prime time TV spots and in cinemas worldwide. As well as this, there was a Novel, comic book and video game produced after the release of the movie which boosted its popularity. The promotional costs brought the cost of producing and marketing the film to a total of $270 million.

Transformers 3 was produced by a major production company Paramount Pictures; known for various blockbusters, whereas Attack the block was produced by a collective of smaller production companies; Big Talk Productions, known for films including Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, produced the film with Film4, The UK Film Council and StudioCanal. The difference in production of the two films is revealed by the fact, Transformers: Dark of the Moon's production cost was reported $195 million which was more than the entire budget of Attack the block which was $8 million. However, the productions were similar in view of the fact both movies had focused on creating special effects.

In conclusion, the marketing of Transformers 3 was significantly better than Attack the block as it was heavily financially endorsed, part of a successful series and produced by a major producer. On the other hand, Attack the block was an independent movie which had a relatively small budget of £8 million dollars compared to Transformers 3’s budget of $195 million.

How was Attack The Block distributed and exhibited compared to Transformers 3

Attack the Block





Attack the Block

Inspiration: These movies took inspiration from the sci-fi genre as well as from the current situations youth encounter, such as knife crime and gang culture, which made the film more relatable to their target market. “The plot was inspired by an event where the director was mugged himself, and after adding the science fiction angle into the plot, Joe Cornish interviewed various kids in youth groups in order to find out what kind of weapons they would use if a real alien invasion occurred.”

Director: The movie as directed by Joe Cornish and was his directorial debut.

Producer: Nira Park, James Wilson who specialise in British films

Script: The script was also written by Joe Cornish. Attack the Block is set on a council estate in South London on Guy Fawkes Night, and, with some coming of age themes, the plot centres around a teenage street gang who have to defend themselves from predatory alien invaders.

Cast: Representative of the film's plot and location, most of the cast were young, relative unknowns, and local to the area. However, the film did feature some well-known British comedians such as Nick Frost.

Studio: Studio Canal UK Film Council Big Talk Pictures Film4 Productions. Distributed by Optimum Releasing initially then after critical reception an American distributor picked it up.

Budget: £8 million
 

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Title Sequences

What is the purpose of a title sequence?
Title seuqences are used for several puporses. For example, they help an audience assoicate a genre to the movie, introduce the movie and signify that the movie is about to start. As well as this, title sequences can inform an audience about the characters or setting.

What was different in how text was used in zombieland than other films?
The way text was used in Zombiland differs from other films because the text was incopareted into the film with the intention of creating futher engagement with the audience and allowing the text to interact and entertain and become a character.

How has the designer of blue valentine tried to emotionally engage with the audience?
The desinger of the Blue Valantine emotionally engaged with the audience by attempting to create a message through imagery and using rhythmic music that reflected the story. As well as this, they incopareted stills to add a nostalgic feel to the sequence.

What editing techniques has blue valentine used?
They took the shot out of focus, took lens of camera to enhance the camera and create a better look. As well as this, they edited in rhythmic music to reflect the story and romance film, added stills to make title sequence more nostalgic.

Production



Friday 15 March 2013

Main Task Filming Review

MAIN TASK FILMING DATES

Weather on filming dates

Friday 8th February

Location: Clissold Park Stoke Newington

Filmed long and medium shots of main character running past the camera which you see in the film. As well as this, filmed establishing shot and wide shots.



Wednesday 13th February

Location: Clissold Park Stoke Newington

Nile riding a bike filmed tracking shots of protagonists feet running to feature right at the beginning of our film to show that my character was actually moving. Also filmed shaky cam point of view shot with protagonist running with the camera and looking at Nile as he ran past. 


Friday 15th February

Loction: Stamford Hill

Filmed protagonist running inside the house doing the match on action through both sets of doors and running up the stairs to the flat. Filmed establishing shot of block of flats that was left out of the final cut. While inside we filmed dialogue between protagonist and sister using the lights and microphone that we brought with us. In doing this we used an over the shoulder shot, shot reverse shot and had to be aware of the 180 degree rule. Most of the dialogue was left out as the sound and image quality was unsatisfactory. We filmed the knocking of the hand on the door and  reaction shot of protagonist. Filmed high angle shot of protagonist looking up as he opened door to imply that he is below the antagonist. Filmed antagonist but then decided that he shouldn't be included in the final cut so protagonist remained anonymous to build mystery and suspense common to thrillers. Filmed close up/Cut in of antagonist's hand when he knocked on the door.

ROLES

Daniel Anthony: Actor, Director and Editor
Nile Williams: Producer, Editor, Cameraman and Sound Researcher
Nathan Ihemadu: Research, Lighting, Secondary Cameraman and Blogger

MAIN TASK FILMING ACTORS, COSTUME & PROPS

Actors

Ryan Lawson: Daniel Anthony
Sister: Girl 
Antagonist: Nile

Props

Gloves
Black Clothing for protagonist (Hat, Tracksuit, Bodywarmer, Trainers)
Keys to flat

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Analysis Of Film Poster: Welcome To The Punch


Blumler and Katz (1974) - Uses and Gratification Theory

Surveillance - Becoming aware, informed and educated about the world around themPersonal identity - shaped by hating/relating to specific characters.Personal relationships - with the media and with people about what happened in the media.Diversion - escape and entertainment


Wednesday 6 March 2013

Opening title sequences that influenced our film

Mr and Mrs Smith


Mr and Mrs Smith's title sequence influenced ours movie in view of the fact when inserting our credits we chose to slowly cut black screen whilst the action was happening to leave the audience on a cliff hanger which will build tension as they anticipate what will happen next. As well as this, we had similar font and block capital letters.

Sunday 3 March 2013

How Changing The Shot Order Changed The Story?

I randomly picked screenshots from two movies; The Dark Knight and Skyfall. Then I put them together in a sequence to make a story. Doing this I learnt that you can change the story of a scene by changing the shot order so when I edited my main task I knew if something didn't go well we could always alter the story by changing the shot order.


Friday 1 March 2013