CASE STUDYON

SANA KHAN

CASE STUDYON

SANA KHAN

|definition of british filmsBritish films are catergorised into five categories because of the wide variety of the definition of

British films.

Category A: British films funded by British money, featuring British personnel such as directors and producers and actors.

Category B: Films that financed half by British investors and some foreign investors. However the directors and personnel are British.

Category C: Films financed with foreign investments but not American investments. Also creativity input from Britain and a small percentage of financial help from Britain.

Category D: Films filmed in Britain with British culture and values but with American financial investments, either partly or fully.

Category E: American films with British financial investments.

|overview I chose to do BBC Films as not only do I respect the BBC for being renowned and internationally known but I felt like they were the top dogs when it came to British filmmaking. BBC Films is a subsidiary of the broadcaster BBC and is based in and around the London area. The film production company has produced films such as Bill (2015), StreetDance 3D (2010) and the popular children’s Christmas film Nativity! (2009).

Mainly the company will either co produce a film or simply produce it. However sometimes it will distribute a film, mainly on DVD releases and join up with another company to release a film theatrically. I have covered the mains aspects of the company such as structure, marketing, audience, exhibition and the films it has produced alongside the production process of the Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie and distribution.

|structureBBC Films was founded in 1990 as part of the broadcaster the BBC which decided to produce feature films of its own. BBC Films is not an independent film production company as it is owned by the British public due to the BBC. This means it is not a private company and receives funding from the government and public. A lot of its films are solely British but they will sometimes co produce with an American company which occurred with the film My Week with Marilyn. Christine Langan is the head of the company and oversees and approves films and ideas before production begins. Joe Oppenheimer is the Commissioning Executive and works with other production companies to discuss any scripts BBC Films can commission and films already in commission. BBC Films is situated at Broadcasting House with the BBC’s other ventures. This is in London and I can see why it is based there because London is a media hub and is notoriously known for being internationally connected.

There are approximately 11 staff members including Joe and Christine who work at BBC Films behind the scenes to ensure that it meets its aims and mission values that it has set up.

|exhibitionAn exhibition of a film tends to take place at the cinema, either a mainstream one or an independent one. Mainly BBC Films chooses to show its films at a mainstream industry because they want to show the film in as many locations possible and this is where an independent cinema may lack. Independent cinemas are used to show limited screenings of a film or a special documentary that BBC Films may want to show. However showings at independent cinemas are less common as mainstream cinemas to ensure a film can be shown to as many people around the country. When a film has been exhibited, there will also be reviews that follow through and reviews help with box office revenues and the selling of tickets because they influence an audience to watch a film based on what the review said.

People go to the cinema to watch a film because of the experience it brings. They can enjoy a film with other people who like it just like them and they can watch a film before other people may do on DVD. Not to mention cinemagoers can purchase snacks, drinks and sweets at cinemas such as the Vue and Cineworld franchise around the country and going to the cinema is counted as a treat.

|marketingMarketing is a key part in the company as it assists with targeting audiences and achieving success at the box office as well as receiving good reviews. It is a complex process because BBC Films must first establish who they want to target and how. Planning arises first and this essentially covers what type of marketing BBC Films wishes to undertake. Coming up with a suitable title for a film is key because a title is what attracts us to a film in the first place and it has to be relatable to the film itself. BBC Films will have to come up with colour schemes for the poster and cover, font styles and themes. The genre needs to be taken into consideration as the audience will need to know what type of film it is and it should be clear. BBC Films ideally should produce a trailer of every film they produce to go along it. This is because a trailer will entice an audience to watch a film and it will help with promotion.

They need to establish their target audience and what that target audience will prefer in terms of advertising. If BBC Films wants to target young people then internet advertising is a popular choice as its convenient, reliable and easy access and a lot of young people use social media these days whereas older people will watch TV more. Based on the films BBC Films produces, they market their films to a wide variety of people using different techniques.

|market positionLike many other film production companies, BBC Films produces and creates films for the purpose of earning more profit and to compete against other companies. BBC Films regularly sends its films straight to the cinema instead of straight to DVD to reach out to a wider audience and to of course gain profit. I have decided to compare the films Johnny English Reborn by Working Title Films and Shaun of The Dead produced by Film4 Productions with the first Nativity! film in its series by BBC Films.

Shaun of the Dead is a film about the main protagonist Shaun who deals with his family, girlfriend and a zombie apocalypse. Produced by Film4 Productions, it has amassed $30 million worldwide becoming a commercial hit. Released on 9th April 2004.

The sequel to hit spy film Johnny English starring Rowan Atkinson. Johnny English must now deal more than just a few enemies. The film became a box office hit and achieved a staggering $159,270,879 It was released on 7th October 2011.

When a primary school competes with a private school for the best Nativity show, competition strikes. It was released on 27th November 2009 and grossed £5,187,402, becoming a top British film for the family.

X + Y A fairly new film production of BBC Films, it caught my eye and represented British culture today.

X + Y is the beautiful story of Nathan Ellis (Asa Butterfield) who suffers from a form of autism. He is a mathematical prodigy who struggles to understand the world around him and uses maths as a coping mechanism to his lack of social skills. When Nathan is selected to represent Great Britain at the renowned International Mathematical Olympiad, he begins a journey and faces unanticipated challenges as well as unexpectedly finding love. It was written by James Graham and directed by Morgan Matthews and produced by David M. Thompson and was released in the UK on 13th March 2015.

X + Y performed very well against reviews, mainly because of the uniqueness and how it all came together. The Mirror gave it 4/5 which is a strong set of figures and Rotten Tomatoes awarded it 86% out of 100%.

The film was released in the US on 11th September 2015 and has grossed $153,884 to date there however worldwide it has amassed over $1,202,437.

Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’MovieThe hit sitcom finally came to the big screen in 2014 and proved

more than just a hit

When market trader Agnes Brown is threatened to pay an unpaid tax bill left by her grandmother by an evil Russian businessman who wants all the market stalls to go out of business to build a new shopping mall, a man steps in to purchase her stall. Agnes very nearly accepts but Winnie lets slip to the residents and Agnes is left to defend her stall while she and her friends look at ways to raising money. When Agnes’s friend Philomena mentions that her grandmother witnessed Agnes’s grandmother pay the bill, Philomena’s grandmother is run over by a bus before she can tell the truth. Agnes becomes the talk of the town and media. After series of tribulations and events, her case is eventually dropped and celebrations begin.

The film performed strongly in the UK and Ireland box office, earning £4.3 million in it’s opening weekend alone. In total it grossed over £14.7 million and became the third highest grossing British film in 2014. Despite it’s earnings, it initially had negative reviews from critics and received a meagre 7% from Rotten Tomatoes.

Nativity!You’ve never seen a British film quite like it before especially with Martin Freeman starring

Paul Maddens played by Martin Freeman is an under achieving primary school teacher who had ambitions to enter the Hollywood industry. He teaches at St. Bernadette’s Catholic school in Coventry and clashes with the local Protestant private school Oakmoor to produce the best Nativity play. Paul loathes Christmas because his ex girlfriend, Jennifer left him at Christmas time. He is also given a new teaching assistant for his class called Mr Poppy, the headmaster’s nephew. Gordon Shakespeare, Paul’s old friend from drama school organises the annual Nativity play at Oakmoor and Paul reveals to him that Jennifer, a Hollywood producer will be making his production into a Hollywood film. Mr Poppy overhears and tells the kids and the media ends up getting the gossip. This is Martin Freeman, at his best. It was produced by Nick Jones and written by Debbie Isitt.

Released on 27th November 2009, it grossed £5,187,402 at the box office and proved that Christmas films are always the best.

Testament of YouthProving that women are just as powerful as men, Alicia Vikander shone in her role as Vera Brittain

In the year 1914, Vera Brittain (Alicia Vikander) battles the restrictions that women faced in education to enrol as a student in Somerville College, Oxford. When World War I unexpectedly begins, her fiancé Roland Leighton, her brother Edward and friends Geoffrey and Victor are ultimately sent to serve at the frontlines. Brittain, faced with a big dilemma follows suit and leaves college to join the Voluntary Aid Detachment as a nurse. It is based on the real life memoirs of Vera Britten. It was produced by Rosie Alison and written by Juliette Towhidi.

Discussions for the film began in February 2009. Testament of Youth grossed over $5.3 million and was released on 16th January 2015.

Metacritic gave it a 77 rating based on 33 reviews and Rotten Tomatoes awarded it 81% from 106 reviews.

StreetDance 3D Street dancing, love, competition and diversity, what could be more British?

After the leader, Jay of a street dance crew leaves unexpectedly, the crew is left with no rehearsal space and must conjure up an idea to raise some money or practice in other locations. Carly, who now leads the crew delivers food to a ballet school and stumbles upon rehearsal space. Helena, a teacher at the school lets Carly use a room for her crew but on one condition, Carly must take on five of Helena’s pupils in her dance crew. Throughout the film, Carly must battle love, betrayal and conflict, will she thrive? It was produced by James Richardson and written by Jane English.

StreetDance is arguably one of the highest grossing British films in the UK and overseas. It managed to gain £2,493,948 in its opening weekend and in total amassed £11 million at the box office. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 77% and it was also #1 for a whole week at the top grossing films of the week it was released. It became the biggest UK release in 2010.

The History BoysThe hit play written by Alan Bennett based in the 1980s revealed the tribulations regarding Oxbridge admissions

A spontaneous teacher, a supply teacher and a history teacher at a British grammar school try to prepare bright and gifted 17-18 year old boys for the upcoming Oxbridge entrance exams. Whilst learning academic facts, they also learn about life around them and how precious it really is. Will the impossible dream come true? The History Boys by Alan Bennett was awarded the most Tony awards of any play in the last 50 years and came to the big screen on 13th October 2006. Alan Bennett adapted his hit play and it was produced by Damian Jones.

It earned $11,121,000 at the UK box office. The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures also regarded the film as one of the top films of 2006 and two of the cast received BAFTA nominations.

Alan Partridge: Alpha PapaSteve Coogan’s famous fictional character made it to the big screen

Well known radio host Alan Partridge played by Steve Coogan gets the opportunity to salvage his dying career by acting out as a liaison between the police force and his former co host presenter who have decided to take hostages at the radio station. This is Alan Partridge at his strangest. The film was based on Coogan’s fictional character from the TV series, I’m Alan Partridge and the 1991 BBC Radio 4 comedy programme On The Hour. It was produced by Henry Normal and Kevin Loader and the screenplay co written by Coogan himself.

Internationally and worldwide it has grossed $9.8 million in total to date. Based on 73 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 87% approval rating and it holds an average score of 7.1/10.

Jane EyreCharlotte Bronte’s famous novel came to the big screen and adored fans

Jane Eyre is an orphaned child who is sent to a charity school after being abused by her aunt. Although she is abused yet again, she becomes educated and articulate and becomes a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Rochester and Jane begin an unlikely close bond despite Rochester’s deep and trouble mind. Jane soon discovers the shocking of Rochester’s that he has hidden and seeks refuge at the home of St. John Rivers. It was produced by Alison Owen and the screenplay was written by Moira Buffini. It is based on the well known novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

It amassed $34,710,627 worldwide, something BBC Films should be proud of and achieved a rating of 86% from 138 reviews. It had a limited screening in the US however with only four cinemas showing it. It was released in the UK on 9th September 2011.

Tamara DreweA beautiful journalist who has three men falling at her feet! How charming…

Tamara Drewe is a journalist and returns home to sell her deceased mother’s home that she inherited. While she was away, she had a rhinoplasty due to the big nose she had as a child and begins to attract attention for her looks. She becomes the centre of attention for three very different men. Andy, her ex boyfriend Ben who is a drummer and Nicholas, a married man who runs the local writers group. This is Tamara’s story. It was written by Moira Buffini and produced by Alison Owen.

It grossed $11,910,695 worldwide and was released on 20th September 2010. Rotten Tomatoes awarded it 65% from 114 film reviews with an average of 6.3/10.

Walking with DinosaursOne of the top grossing film collaborations BBC Films has produced, it earned

millions and all because of dinosaurs

In the Cretaceous period, 70 million years ago, a dinosaur called Patchi hatches Pachyrhinosaurus. Patchi’s status means he has to use his mentality rather than agility to garner food with his siblings. When a erupting fire leaves him, Scowler and Juniper on their own, the competition and rivalry between the two brothers grows fiercely stronger. Patch must resort to using his strength and courage within him to reign as leader. It was written by Justin Collee and produced by Mike Devlin and several others.

It was named after BBC’s 1999 documentary which aired on the TV of the same name.

The film was released on 20th December 2013 and grossed $126.5 million, becoming a worldwide hit. However, based on 70 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes awarded it 24% but despite this, it had great earnings.

|production processPre production of Mrs Brown’s Boys D’ Movie

The BBC already worked with Brendan Carroll on the sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys and decided to produce the film version to it after Carroll obtained a £3.6 million deal with Universal Studios to write the script for the film. Talks began in 2012 and by mid 2013. the script was ready. It was decided that because the sitcom was based in Dublin, the film would follow a similar setting and the location was set for Dublin. When Carroll spoke about it being set in Dublin he mentioned, “It's Dublin humour so you're going to need Dublin actors and technicians to get it right for the big screen” and that not other setting would do. Casting had already been sorted as the cast in the sitcom played the same characters on the big screen.

Production

On 1st September 2013, principal filming began in several locations in Dublin. Locations included Moore Street, Dublin Institute of Technology and Wimbledon Studios in London. Filming finished officially on 25th October 2013 and took just under two months to film the whole film.

|production processPost production of Mrs Brown’s Boys D’ Movie

When filming finished, The Script recorded an exclusive song for the film called ‘Hail, Rain or Sunshine.’ The band also worked on the film’s official soundtrack. The song was inspired by Ireland and what it has to offer. The Script are also an Irish band so made sense for them to provide the music for the film. After production, editing began for the film and a release date was set for 27th June 2014.

Release and Distribution/Exhibition

Universal Studios released the film and it had its premiere on 25th June 2014 with all the cast attending. Unlike other films, it did not have special screening for critics. It was distributed to cinemas on 27 th June 2014 to cinemas nationally. The Guardian awarded it a 1/5 and Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews site only gave it a 7% approval rating. Though the Daily Mirror gave it 4/5 and remains one of the film’s only positive reviews. It also holds an average of 3.1/10 based on 14 ratings. Four months later, the film was released on DVD on 27 th October 2014 and sold 315,981 in its first week proving that it became a commercial hit.

|distributionBBC Films will rarely distribute its own films and instead enlists companies such as Paramount, IFC, 2 Entertain and Miramax Pictures especially if they want to promote a film in the US. This is because the company does not have a big following overseas and requires the funding of bigger companies to distribute its films to potential audiences all around the world. BBC Films typically goes down three routes to distribute a film, exhibiting it in a cinema, broadcasting it on TV and releasing it on DVD several months after a theatrical release. A theatrical release is the most popular as cinema goers can have a pleasant experience and enjoy a film with several others and plus, films can have special screenings days before the actual release date.

BBC Films can choose to distribute a film in Blu-ray DVD format too, a popular choice with people who purchase DVDs. This is because it provides the audience with a clearer picture and is worth the extra money. DVDs can also come with behind the scenes footage or director’s commentary as it has been known that people who buy a DVD of a film are more than just ordinary fans.

|audienceBased on the films I have studied that BBC Films have produced, I believe that the production company is targeting both male and females because of the variety of films they have produced such as Fast Food Nation, A Cock and Bull Story, StreetDance 3D and Made in Dagenham and the fact that they do not specifically target one gender unlike some production companies. What BBC Films does that is very different from other film production companies is that it produces and creates films that are of knowledge and education like the films The Other Boleyn Girl, The Statement and The Duchess which take place before the 20th century.

BBC Films is known for producing films with British culture and values, taking on many 18 th century novels and adapting them and creating films of the life of Henry VII. The age and demographics of the company is that they are targeting people aged in their mid 20s because of the films West is West, Millions and Bullet Boy and people aged 30-80 because of the films Miss Potter and Capturing Mary.