Working Title Films - case study

Undertake some detailed research on Working Title Films. Who are they? Where are they based? When were they established? By whom? What, and when, was their breakthrough hit film? What sorts of films are they best known for? What are your favourites? (write these as a comment to this post) What are some of their more successful titles? Do they have any special relationships with certain writers or directors? What major awards have they recieved?

Read these articles (and print/take notes) from the bbc and The Guardian. Use their wikipedia entry and official website (have a look at the archive to get an idea of the variety in their work) and other internet resources. Also consider your own knowledge and understanding of Working Title Films.

Final big question:

How do you account for their continued success despite the regular forecasts of doom and gloom for the British film industry? Write at least one side of A4 on this question. Make at least five key points, use PEE and back up with specific examples from a range of films.

Start in lesson, finish for homework and hand in first media lesson next week.

Finally, your favourite Working Title films as comments to this post please...get some healthy debate going!

Bullet Boy

Read your Bullet Boy notes yet? Remember to answer questions 1-6 and three others of your choice for Thurday/Friday's lesson. More BB stuff below....

Click here for detailed production notes from Verve Pictures

What is film distribution? Click here for a screenonline summary. Go there, read it and follow links to notes on film marketing, licensing and digital distribution.

Here is a distribution case study on, you guessed it, Bullet Boy. Read it!


View the opening scenes again here - lots of other scenes posted on YouTube

Pitch me your idea then...

So you wanna make a movie eh?

How are you going to get funding?

What cash is out there simply waiting for you to get your eager mitts on so you can start developing that script, shooting it or editing it?

What if you have done all this already but just need that crucial distribution deal to get your film out there?

Your task is to find out...

So, do some research....use links to the right eg: uk film council, BBC films, channel 4's guide to making movies is a good place to start. Shane Meadows even has a few tips for you...

Be detailed, what different funds do the UK film council offer. How do you apply? Check out some of the forms....are they easy, what pre-requisites or limitations are there?

What about short films - is this easier to get funding for?

Bring you research and your pitch to class for Thursday 10 May!

Pitch to include:

• genre (sub-genre)



• tone and style



• locations



• themes explored



• possible actors / key crew

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Is This England?

Can you see what I did there?


This is what Thommo thinks of it all. He can't even see the film because of the absurd R18 rating...


A film that explores one of the most pressing social issues this country faces and we can't even get to see it in our local multiplex. What a joke!
Released today and neither Ipswich or Bury are showing 'This Is England'.

But don't worry, you can still see brilliant works of cinema like Mr. Bean's Holiday, Music & Lyrics, and Wild Hogs. Of course, these films tell us much more about what is to be British....*sarcastic and resigned sigh*

Timesonline review here

Click here and send Cineworld an email telling them what you think...Sick of the same tedious Hollywood drek at the Multiplex? Then do something about it.... customer.services@cineworld.co.uk
Comments??

Shane Meadows - This Is England tasks

Research tasks - This Is England.

Using the headings below, conduct synoptic research for This Is England:

• Institutions - producers, production companies, distribution & marketing, funding, budget, box office takings, dvd sales.





• Critical acclaim - awards, reviews (read at least two separate reviews from a range of sources e.g. established newspapers or magazines)





• Forms and conventions - genre, style, tone. (look at the poster and tagline as well as close textual detail)





• Representations - Britain (1980's and today), youth, gender, family, ethnicity.





• Director - Who is Shane Meadows? Upbringing and education, influences, previous and current work, subject matter & style.

Below is video of Mark Kermode interviewing Shane Meadows on The Culture Show. Mainly about his new film 'This is England' but some good stuff about his filmmaking style.

"What I did in the holidays"

Easy task for your Easter break. Go and see (or rent) a contemporary British film. Find out a bit more about it (synoptic research). Post a comment here on what you thought about it (any aspect). Comment on your peers' comments. Comment on comments of comments. You get the idea; it's an issues and debates paper, so get some debate going!

Current 'British' films on at the cinema or soon to be released include: Mr. Bean's Holiday, Outlaw, Becoming Jane, Sunshine, Catch a Fire, I Want Candy, Notes on a Scandal, Gone, Goal 2: Living the Dream.

Elizabeth tasks

Conduct some internet research into Elizabeth. Include the following:

• Who is Shekhar Kapur? Education, previous and current work. Filmic style.


• Critical success - reviews, awards, box office takings (Britain and overseas)


• Institutions - production companies, funding, distribution (who are they and where are they from?)


• Is it a 'British' film - consider subject matter, cast and crew (especially writer/ director /producer, locations (details)
• The sequel - details including cast, producers, locations. Why would working title green light 'The Golden Age'?

Type up in word - no cut and paste. Cite your sources. One page minimum.

Essay title:
Discuss the representations of Britain and Britishness in Elizabeth (Shekhar Kapur, 1998). Use specific examples from the text to illustrate your points.

Include an introduction, six to eight main paragraphs and a conclusion.