Saturday, 22 April 2017

Research - Institutions

BBC:

The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) is the main British service broadcaster located in London, England. It is the largest broadcasting company worldwide with staff rising to over 20,000.


The BBC is established under a Royal Charter. They operate under their agreement with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Their work is principally funded by an annual TV licence, which is ultimately charged to all British households, companies and other organisations.

The BBC has the second largest finance budget of any UK-based broadcaster. They have an operating expenditure of £4.722 billion (2013/14) compared to £6.471 billion for British Sky Broadcasting in 2013/14.

The BBC have a separate network specifically for films. BBC Films co-produces around a total of eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors.
The BBC also occasionally show short films, with lengths ranging from 3 to 30 minutes long. A quote from the BBC's website shows how they are determined in finding new talent. "BBC films is committed to finding and developing new talent, collaborating with with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry.

Film4:

Film4 (owned by the Channel Four Television Corporation) is a British digital Television channel available in the UK.
Film4 started in 1982 as Film4 Productions. The company's first production was Walter, directed by Stephen Frears.



In 1998, it was rebranded FilmFour to coincide with the launch of a new Digital TV channel of the same name.

BBFC:

The following information is the legislation rules from the BBFC for the rating of 15. Because our film fits into this age-rating, I have decided to show legal information to allow myself to understand what the guidelines are of this age-rating.

Discrimination:
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Drugs:
Drug taking may be shown, but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drum misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Imitable Behaviour:
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Language:
There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any contextual justification.

Nudity:
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

Sex:
Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Threat:
There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

Violence:
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.




Research - History



The very first films were presented to the public in 1894 through Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope device, used for individual viewing. The most intriguing film from this time period is argued to be the Lumiere brothers' 'Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat', 1895.
Most early films imitated other Victorian modes of entertainment. Things such as magic lantern shows, illustrations, variety acts etc. were part of the norm of 'short' entertainment.


In the early 1900's, technology in filming and editing had improved which ultimately allowed film makers to produce longer, multi-shot films. One of the most memorable 'longer-shorts' is Edwin S Porter's 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903) which was celebrated as the first western genre of film.


From 1910 onwards, audiences demanded filmmakers to make longer, multi-reel films. One film which has gone down as the first ever feature film was DW Griffiths' Klu Klux epic, 'Birth of a Nation' (1915).

Features were regarded as more respectable than shorts. Features could draw in better paying, more middle-class audiences. This allowed funding for the constructions of 'picture palaces' over the next three decades.


However, even though longer-length features had taken the lead in film, short-films were still popular as propaganda pieces showing British servicemen actively fighting the war.

Even though shorts had fallen behind feature-length films, many filmmakers first started experimenting with them in the 1920's and still to this day use shorts as a way to break into the film industry. One of the most popular really-shorts was Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dal's, Un Chien Andalou (An Andalusian Dog) made in 1929.

The Nineties was a revolution decade for short film makers. New technology including digital and recording equipment were introduced to many aspiring film makers. The biggest demand has come from audiences over the internet. Users on the internet demand short bursts of entertainment. YouTube now is by far the most popular viewing platform for users to view new shorts.
The internet is also proving popular for short film makers who can't afford to distribute their films on DVD. Cindy Rose (executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Mendia) says the biggest benefit to film makers is the fact they can use the internet to freely post their films online. The potential view count can reach into the millions, allowing aspiring filmmakers to be recognised and potentially rise-up into the ever growing film industry.

Some of the biggest feature length film directors today such as Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino started their highly successful careers with the creation of short films.

Martin Scorsese:




Martin Scorsese is one of the most renowned directors in the history of film. His films are known for their Sicilian-American Identity, modern crime and gang conflict. Some of his most memorable films include Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Departed, Taxi Driver and many other highly acclaimed films.
Scorsese started his career with various short films. His first short was called 'Vesuvius VI' which involves a miniature set in Ancient Rome which was also inspired the popular television series '77 Sunset Strip'.
Another short Scorsese did was 'The Big Shave'. The Big Shave is a metaphor for the Vietnam War.

Christopher Nolan:








Christopher Nolan not only writes his own films, but he also has adapted his own directing style which is unique to him. Nolan has written and directed many memorable blockbusters such as Inception, Interstellar, Memento and the highly successful Batman trilogy.
He first started his career with his notable short film 'Doodlebug'. Doodlebug consists of an anxious and paranoid man trying to kill a small bug-like creature. It is later revealed that the bug is actually a smaller version of himself.

Quentin Tarantino:







Quentin Tarantino. The master of violence. Quentin began his career in 1980 when he wrote and directed his first short (which later became a feature) 'My Best-friend's Birthday'. The script was originally 30-40 pages long, but later Tarantino changed the script to 80 pages to carry it on as a full-length feature. They shot the film on 16mm. The original cut was 70 minutes long, but due to a fire only 36 minutes of the film remain. This cut has been shown at various film festivals.

Quentin Tarantino has now become one of the most iconic and successful directors ever. He has written and directed films such as Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Django Unchained, Inglorious Bastards and many other successful pieces of work.


Intro - Brief and Genre


I have chosen to create a short film for my A2 Coursework. I have chosen to do a short film because I am interested in the aspects of what it takes to create a short film. Also, me and Fin Davis created a script called 'Class A' for our own personal interest and decided it would be the right time to create it. I am also interested in Performing Arts and feel I could play the main character of Anthony.
Me and Fin are planning to create this film with fellow media students Zack Vincent and Jake Clutsom. Zack is the most experienced in filming with the effect of also studying photography which has given him an experience with camera's. He also has had experience with editing software such as Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro.
Jake we feel can be complimentary to this project because he also study's Performing Arts and can communicate and instruct other actors on set.



Thursday, 24 March 2016