StarterKey VocabProduction line modelVertical integrationThe packageTreatmentBlockbusterHigh Concept

Hollywood of the 1930s and the

1940s made films under this

model

This is when cinemas produced, distributed and exhibited films

This is when an

independent individual

puts together a

package for potential

investors

This is a script for a film longer than a synopsis but not yet a full script

These two terms are used to describe Hollywood films of today. They often share a wide range of characteristics

Producers & Audiences

1) The ability to articulate your understanding of how cinema functions as a business and how business interacts with its audience.

2) The ability to articulate a critical understanding of your own experience of Film.

8 key areas

• The Hollywood Industry (then and now)• Film Finance & Film Production• Film Distribution• Film Exhibition• The British Film industry (then and now)• Film consumption: the cinema audience• The Star system• Film and new technologies

8 key areas

• The Hollywood Industry (then and now)

• Film Finance & Film Production• Film Distribution• Film Exhibition• The British Film industry (then and now)• Film consumption: the cinema audience• The Star system• Film and new technologies

The Hollywood Industry: Now & Then

Hollywood then….Golden Age 1930-1948During this time films were made on a production line model – criticised too formulaic and similar.

BIG FIVE Paramount / Loew’s / Fox Film/Warner Brothers / RKO(Columbia/Universal/United Artists)

Studios controlled by a

Vertical IntegrationThe big five all had vertical integration. They all had the means to produce, distribute and exhibit films.

They dominated the film industry in the 1930s and 1940s because of this.

They did not have to buy in the services of distributors or exhibitors; all their profits were kept under one roof.

End of world war 2• Social , economic and political forces brought the

studio system to an end• Move out to the suburbs to create a stress free

life after years of hardship/ anxiety• This led to a decline in cinema attendance• 1948 Supreme Court Ruling- forced the major

companies to sell their cinemas to break the monopoly they had. They no longer owned all three main production areas.

Hollywood Today

Hollywood today

• Today Hollywood make deals more than films. • An independent individual such as a producer

puts together a package that they then present to investors.

The package consists of: a treatment for a filmDetails of the castDetails of the director and locations If a studio like s the film they will agree to finance and produce it.

Today more than 12 Studios in HollywoodMGM/ WARNER BROTHERS/SONY PICTURES

STUDIO/PARAMOUNT/UNVERSAL STUDIOS/ 20TH Century Fox/DREAMWORKS

4/5 still exist

Some studios have particular relationships with directors and give them first options on film ideas. Steven Spielberg with Dream works for example.

Warner Bros- end of vertical integration?

10 minutes

• blockbusters 2011

Battleship trailer

StorylineBased on the classic Hasbro naval combat game, Battleship is the story of an international fleet of ships who come across an alien armada whilst on a Naval war games exercise. An intense battle ensues over sea, land and air. What do they aliens - known as 'The Regents' - want?

• The Hunger Games Trailer StorylineIn a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Cabin in the Woods trailer

StorylineFive friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

Characteristics of a Blockbuster

1. Storyline2. Characters3. Selling4. Profits

• box office stats

storylineBlockbusters have simple storylines that are easy to understand and have universal appeal.

why?1) Created to appeal to the global audience- omit culturally specific detail to appeal to

wider audience.2) Wider audience means more profit from DVDs, and associated sales.3) Simple stories succeed the best eg Love Stories with tragic endings. Think Shakespeare.,

AUDIENCES KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.4) Love and Loss/ Good over Evil/ Fighting against the odds5) Disaster movies where the destruction of the world is averted.- universal hopes and

fears

charactersBlockbusters are populated by characters that are easy to understand.• The characters tend to be easily understandable

by younger viewers so complex psychological states tend not to be present.

• Characters tend not to alienate other cultures or take strong ideological stances

• Characters tend to want to save the world or save the one they love

Sold on looksBlockbuster films are sold on their look.• Exciting , special effects- CGI/ PYROTECHNICS• They look expensive-not experimental• Spectacular• They excite through visual display NOT

dialogue reliant• Huge action set pieces• Obvious from trailers

profitsThe enormous financial outlay is not recouped through the box office alone.

DVDs / Box Office / PTV / TV rights

MERCHANDISING often brings the greatest reward

The visual appeal of ‘Blockbuster’ films is often called the………

‘Impact Aesthetic’.• This means the audience is invited to sit back and enjoy the sheer scale

and impressive detail of the film.

• This is the so-called “wow” response factor!

• The audience admire the use of CGI – and how convincing it is.

• The appearance of a ‘star’ is often part of this ‘impact aesthetic’.

In the following sequence from a ‘Blockbuster’ - grade your “Wow” factor out of ten….and name the ‘star’!

profitsThe enormous financial outlay is not recouped through the box office alone.

DVDs / Box Office / PTV / TV rights

MERCHANDISING often brings the greatest reward

Titanic

Titanic Case StudyIdentify the four areas in the Titanic Case Study

StorylineCharactersThe LookProfits

While we wait to start …….Can you remember, the four

characteristics of a ‘Blockbuster’ film?

The four characteristics of a ‘Blockbuster’ film:

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….

Unit FS2: Producers and Audiences.

Aims of lesson:

•To study further the phenomenon of the ‘Blockbuster’ film in Hollywood.

•To consider the relevance of ‘High Concept’ film-making.

•To think about the ‘Impact Aesthetic’.

‘High Concept’ is the theory behind all this!

‘High concept’ film-making means:

• A style of film-making based around simple narrative ideas – designed to fit into marketing and merchandising operations.

• ‘High concept’ film-making is therefore a big aspect of Blockbuster films!

• Thinking of studio : keep things simple – makes lots of money!

• ‘High-concept’ is now the driving force behind creative decision-making in most mainstream, Hollywood films.

So let me ask you………….

Does the production of ‘blockbuster’ films and ‘high-concept’ film-making……………

• Lead to movies without ‘brains’? Does it have to mean films ‘dumb-down’ – and reduce quality?

• Does the merchandising aspect (tie-in toys, games….) exploit children?

The visual appeal of ‘Blockbuster’ films is often called the………

‘Impact Aesthetic’.• This means the audience is invited to sit back and enjoy the sheer scale

and impressive detail of the film.

• This is the so-called “wow” response factor!

• The audience admire the use of CGI – and how convincing it is.

• The appearance of a ‘star’ is often part of this ‘impact aesthetic’.

In the following sequence from a ‘Blockbuster’ - grade your “Wow” factor out of ten….and name the ‘star’!

How important is the ‘Impact Aesthetic’ to you when you go to

see a film?

‘Blockbuster’ Group Task:

• Select your envelope.

• Read your task.

• Return to classroom at:

• Present your results to class at: