Class&Status

Upper Class:

Downton Abbey:

This is a classic example of a TV drama which is showing upper class people. From the clip you can see that they come from a higher background because of the mise en scene. The setting is very posh as well as the costumes worn. Their accents also demonstrate that they come from an upper class background because they speak with received pronunciation. 

Sherlock Holmes:

Sherlock is an example of someone from an upper class backgroud. He is always well dressed which deomstrated that he can afford up market clothing. He speaks in clear Standard English which shows that he is sophisicated and well educated. 

Middle Class:

Breaking Bad:

The White family is an example of a family from a middle class background. Walter White is a teacher so therefore has a respected job. Their house is fairly large and the clothes that they are wearing wouldn't be classed as scruffy. 

Grace (Skins):

Grace is an example of a character who comes from a middle class background. She has her own individual style sense which shows that she is sophisicated. She is very well spoken and has a parents who have respected jobs. 

Working Class:

Kelly (Misfits):

Kelly from Misfits is shown to come from a working class background. She is seen as the typical 'chav' with what he looks and speaks like. In the clip she is shown being violent which would be stereotyped as being a trait of someones from a working class background. 

Cook (Skins):

Cook is shown as coming from a working class background becuase of the way he acts, talks and dresses. What he wears the majority of the time doesn't look smart, he wears a lot of polo shirts which look too small for him. He has quite a common accent and also swears a lot. As a character he is shown as always being in trouble. He even went to prison. 

Essay updated

'Successful media products depend as much upon marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they they do upon good production practices'

To what extent would you agree with this statement, within the media area you have studied?

I believe that for a film to be a success it must depend upon marketing and advertising as well as the distribution to a specific target audience.Four quadrant films, for example, would be a success due to the wide target audience. It also depends upon good production practices, which is what is in the film and how it is made. A successful film, in my opinion, means that it does well at the box office and makes a profit, but it also wins awards and is, in general, an enjoyable film. 

The production practices describes what is involved and needed in a film. Alex Garland is the director and writer of Ex Machina. This was Garland's directing debut, but he has written screenplays for different films including 'Never let me Go'. Having a new director direct a film could be thought as being risky, however it didn't seem to affect the success of the film a it still made $38,123,313 at the box office which is a big success for the type of film that it was. To make a successful film stars, or well actors, are needed to play the characters. This would increase the viewers as the actors may have a fan base already. In Ex Machina Domhnall Gleeson starred as Calab, Oscar Isaac starred as Nathan and Alicia Vikander starred as Ava. Ex Machina is more of an intimate film rather than action packed. There are many scenes during the film which is just conversation between Calab and Ava which allows the audience to see their relationship develop. It is an independent British film produced by Film4 and DNA Films. To film the cameras used were Sony F-55 and F-56 with anamorphic lenses. They used long, simple 10-minute takes while the camera moved. This would have allowed accuracy and precision. It was filmed only in 2D. This would appeal to their target audience (film buffs) as they wouldn't usually see the big mainstream 3D blockbusters. 

Mad Max was directed by George Miller who has also directed Happy feet and the other three mad Max films, which makes Mad Max:Fury Road a sequal. Multi-camera shooting was used and it was shot in 2D. however during the post-production stage it was converted into 3D. This would target a wider audience as there would be the choice between 2D and 3D. The storyboards were drawn up before a script was written, however Warner Bros. demanded for a script. Well known actors were casted for this film which would increase it's success because as individuals they would have a following who would want to watch all films starring themselves. Charlize Theran (as seen in Snow White and the Huntsman), Nicholas Hault (as seen in X-Men) and Tom Hardy (as seen in the Dark Knight) all starred in Mad Max:Fury Road. This film was different to Ex Machina in the sense that it was full of action and explosions. For example during Mad Max there is a big car chase which involves many crashes and explosions. This would attract a wide mainstream audience (Mad Max's target audience) because action is the most popular genre of film.

Ex Machina challenged institutional practices by marketing and advertising in an un-traditional way. They used digital initiatives and social media to promote the film to their specific target audience- film buffs. They made a fake 'Ava' account on Tinder which was matched with other Tinder users. Instagram was also used. They screened the film at the South by Southwest Festival which would target the target audience, it would target film buffs and Sci-Fi enthusiasts.
Mad Max however spent $7 million on marketing and $1 million on adverts alone. They turned F-1 cars into Mad Max cars which would target the car enthusiasts. They also made a video game which again would target a different audience. As Mad Max is an action film, a very wide audience would be targeted as it is the most popular genre.

The distribution of a film is very important as this gets the viewers. Ex Machina first had 4 screens, that was then increased to 12000, then it went back down to 2000 screens in the US. This would generate good word of mouth because people that have already seen the film would be able to recommend it to other people. The film was released on January 12th in the UK. It piggy backed the Avengers which was released about 2 weeks before. This would add to the success of the film as cinema goers normally see two films in a short time.
Mad Max had a wide release and was released in summer which  is the blockbuster season. It was released on 14th may. It was the most pirated film which film companies want to stop. They try to do this by making bigger films so people want to see it. To make Mad Max big they tried to do all the stunts themselves. For example in the film there were people on moving poles in the air (pole cats) which were attached to a car. Them did this stunt themselves which demonstrates what films do to make them bigger. Films make films in 2D and 3D as more viewers would be targeted  as they would have the choice. Also by releasing the film on DVD and video on demand, more viewers would be targeted.

It could be argued that different things show if a film is successful. For example is could depend on how much a film makes at the box office and if it makes a profit. But on the other hand it could depend on if a film wins awards.
Ex Machina made $38,123,313 at the box office which shows that it was very successful considering that it was an independent British film and didn't target a wide range of people, meaning that it wasn't a four quadrant film. It was nominated for the Best Cinematography and Alicia Vikander was nominated for Best Actress. It won a Silver Scream and Jury prize award, demonstrating its success and popularity.
Mad Max made $153.6 million at the box office which empathizes how big a success and how many people watched it. It was nominated for several awards including a USA EMA and two teen choice awards. It won an International film fest award which could also be argued as showing its success because people obviously enjoyed it enough to vote for it.

To conclude, I agree with the statement as all aspects of the film making process are very important in making a successful film. Success relies on profit as well as awards in my opinion. From my knowledge, I think that the future for cinema is going to be quite repetitive The technology is developing, therefore CGI is improving making it easier to make action films. This is why I believe there is going to be many action and Sci-Fi films to come. This is a disadvantage for some countries because in reality, America is the only country with the money to make big, blockbuster, action films.

The British Film Industry

Why have a British film industry? 

- An independent, non-governmental body which classifies and censors films, video as well as computer and console-based games released in the UK.

- Government backed lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that economic, cultural and educational aspects of a film are effectively represented at home and abroad. 




- The official UK agency for international cultural relations. Its Film Department promotes new British films (features and shorts), internationally principally through festivals and showcases. 


- an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image




- Promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture.



-127 Hours, 12 Years a Slave, 20,000 Days on Earth

- The King's Speech, Chalet Girl, Limitless. Momentum dominates the UK film industry. 

- Hot Fuzz, About Time, Les Misérables

- 127 Hours, Philomena, Rush

- Saving Mr Banks, Man on Wire, Conspiracy 

Bfi 'britishness' criteria 

Ex Machina- 34/35

How do British films attract audiences?
British films attract audiences by using non-traditional ways of marketing. They are very tactical in how they target their specific target audience for the film. For example, Ex Machina marketed through social media. They made a fake Tinder account for Ava who other Tinder users could talk to. Instagram was also used which would attract a wider audience. This style of marketing could collect a British audience, however to collect a global audience, a bigger marketing technique would be needed. For example adverts which are published globally. 
British films are distinct from Hollywood blockbusters due to the money spent. Hollywood films spend a lot on the production process but then spend more on marketing. For example, Mad Max:Fury Road spent $7 million on marketing. This would attract a global audience.  



I think that mainstream plus would view films on the previous slide (Ex Machina, Suffragette, Attack the Block, The Inbetweeners Movie). A wide range of people would fall into the mainstream plus audience type which means that the films would have gained a lot of viewers and money at the box office. 
Box office figures:
Ex Machina: $37 million 
The Inbetweeners Movie 2: $63.8 million 
Suffragette (opening week): £2.94 million
Attack the Block: $5.8 million 

Why have a British film industry?
Britain has many flexible and unique locations that can be used to film in. London for example is such a popular place, it is great to shoot in. Britain has lots of talent within it also. There are many award-winning actors as well as production team members, for example Cinematographer Ben Davis. There are many opportunities to be taken while producing a British film which is one of the reasons that there is a British film industry today. However, as well as all of this, I think the main reason that there is a British film industry today is to make money as that is one of the main aims when making a film. 

Representation of Ethnicity

Black

Thomas Tomone- Skins:

Thomas stands as being one of the only characters on Skins who is not British-born, having originated from Sangha, Republic of the Congo. Thomas is represented in a stereotypical way. This is because he is a migrant who has recently arrived in Bristol and is unused to the change in climate and the British way of life. He is also stereotypical due to is love for athletics and music. 

Curtis Donovan- Misfits:

Curtis started out as a rising athlete whose goal to become an Olympian was destroyed when he was found guilty of drug possession. He is displayed in a stereotypical way due to his passion for running which is a common stereotype about black people. He is also represented in a stereotypical as he is doing community service because of drug abuse which again is a typical stereotype towards black individuals. 

John Luther- Luther:

Detective Chief Inspector John Luther works for the Metropolitan Police Service, in the Serious Crime Unit. Luther is a respected detective and has one of the highest positions in his job. He is shown to have power and control over people which represents him as a counter-type. It is unusual for a black individual to be in the highest position of power. 

White

Mini McGuinness- Skins:
Mini is considered as being the 'queen bee' at her college in Skins. She is shown as a stereotypical 'white girl' who cares a lot about what she looks like, the drama that is happening and the people she is friends with. 

Kelly Bailey- Misfits:
Kelly is shown as being a typical 'chav' with scrapped back hair, heavy makeup and a strong accent. She is represented as being a counter-type to the typical 'dumb blonde' who spends hours doing their hair and makeup. However she is shown as being a stereotypical 'chav' which are normally associated with white, British, anti-social teenagers. This is backed up by her doing community service. 

The Doctor- Doctor Who:
The Doctor is shown in a stereotypical way as he is in the position of power and authority. He has a lot of control over people as he is seen as knowing the most. This is stereotypical towards white people because in the UK the people in power are typically white. For example the Queen and the Prime Minister.  

Chinese

Lorna Bucket- Doctor Who:
Lorna Bucket is shown in a stereotypical way because she is in the army which demonstrates that she is good at fighting. This is a typical stereotype which is used towards Chinese people. However she is also a counter-type because young Chinese girls normally wouldn't be able to fight in the army, but she does. 


Glenn Rhee- The Walking Dead:
Glenn is bright, loyal, resourceful, fast, quick-thinking, and brave. He doesn't live the stereotypical Chinese lifestyle, instead he puts himself in extreme danger to help the group.

Mei Chang- Orange is the new Black:
Chang isn't the stereotypical Chinese women. She is an organised crime leader which is a counter-type to the typical well behaved woman. She also got rejected as a wife due to her appearance which is non-stereotypical also as it means that she wouldn't be married which is unusual. 



Asian

Anwar Kharral- Skins:
Anwar is shown as being a counter-type to the typical Pakistani Muslim. He isn't serious about his faith as he drinks, takes drugs, eats pork and has premarital sex. However he is represented as being stereotype in some ways. For example he does pray five times a day and believes that homosexuality goes against his race. 


Alisha Daniels- Skins:
Alisha is represented as being the stereotypical pretty Asian girl. She cares a lot about what she looks like and gets a lot of male attention. However she is a counter-type to the typical Asian teenager who is really clever and cares about her education. This is shown because she is having to do community service.  


Brook Soso- Orange is the new Black:

Brook is of Scottish and Japanese heritage which could be seen as unusual and non-stereotypical. She is also a counter-type to the typical quiet and well behaved Asian as she is in prison for starting a protest. However, she has the stereotypical mother who was very strict and wanted her to be good at everything.