This lesson, I researched upcoming British Films that are to be released in the next few months and have found a selection of films in which I am considering using for my case study topic:
The Railway Man -
- Expected release: January 2014
- Production companies: Archer Street Productions, Latitude Media and Lionsgate
- Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman
Philomena -
- Release: 27th November 2013
- Production companies: BBC Films, BFI, Pathe
- Starring: Judi Dench, Steeve Coogan
About Time -
- Release: September 2013
- Production companies: Ruby Films, BBC Films, Walt Disney Pictures
- Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson
My British Film Case Study will be on 'About Time'
Trailer:
Director: Richard Curtis
Writer: Richard Curtis
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy
Country: UK
Cert (UK): 12A
Runtime: 123 mins
Cert (UK): 12A
Runtime: 123 mins
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy [Rom-com]
Production year: 2013
Release: September 2013
The film was initially scheduled to be released on 10 May 2013, release was pushed back to 1 November 2013. The film premiered on 8 August 2013 as part of the Film4 Summer Screen outdoor cinema series at London's historic Somerset House. It was released in the UK on 4 September 2013 and in the US in limited release on 1 November 2013 and in wide release on 8 November 2013.
Trailer: [YouTube]
- Social network links - twitter / Facebook
- Production company: Working Title
- Distribution: Universal
Production...
Production Companies...
- Working Title
Became very successful after the release of the quintessentially British film 'Four Wedding and a Funeral'.
Although contractually allowed to produce any film with a budget of up to $35 million, on a practical basis, Bevan and Fellner consult with studio executives at Working Title's parent company NBCUniversal. Working Title is located in London, and is known for having a limited number of employees. The company also has other offices located in Los Angeles and Ireland.
Other films that they have produced:
- Translux
Translux is a company that specializes in designing, selling, renting, installing and maintaining multi-color, real-time data and LED large-screen electronic information displays, as well as producing film and television. They co-produce many films, both British and Hollywood.
Also co-produced:
Jack the Giant Slayer
The Dark Knight Rises
Sherlock Holmes
War Horse
The Boat that Rocked
The Holiday
Director: Richard Curtis
'Curtis has said this is likely to be his last film as director, but that he will continue in the film industry'
Other Working Title Films that Curtis has directed are:
- Love Actually (2003)
- The Boat that Rocked (2009)
He has written a large number of films/TV series (47 in total) e.g.:
Domhnall Gleeson
British Actor
Filmography:
Anna Karenina (2012) - Working Title
Shadow Dancer (2012) - BBC Films
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & 2 (2010 & 2011) - Warner Bros. , Heyday Films
Never Let Me Go (2010) - Film 4, DNA Films
Rachel McAdams
American Actress
Filmography:
The Vow (2012)
Sherlock Holmes (2009 & 2011)
The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
The Notebook (2004)
Mean Girls ( 2004)
Bill Nighy
British Actor
Often has a role in Working Title Films:
The World's End [voice] (2013)
Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)
The Boat that Rocked [Pirate Radio US] (2009)
Love Actually (2003)
Distribution & Marketing:
Distribution companies...
Working Title Films was co-founded by producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. In 1992, PolyGram became the company's corporate backer. Radclyffe left Working Title, and Eric Fellner, a fellow independent film producer, joined the company. The company produced a variety of films for PolyGram's London-based production company PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. PolyGram Films became a major Hollywood competitor. In 1999, PolyGram was sold to Seagram and merged with MCA Music Entertainment, to form Universal Music Group. PolyGram Films was sold and folded into Universal Studios in 1999.
Universal have distributed an extremely long list of films (around 3,500 worldwide) since 1922 to present.
Here are some of the latest films that Universal Pictures have distributed:
Here is a list of other companies involved in the distribution, production and editing of About Time:
Marketing...
The marketing of About Time can be known as above-the-line.
Above-the-line marketing refers to marketing practices making use of the mass media where, given a firm’s use of an advertising agency, the agency would make a commission on advertisements which are placed in media including television, newspapers, billboards, radio, magazines, and cinema.
The movie has a substantial online presence, which would have helped to distribute the film to a vast audience...
The film was also promoted on television and at cinemas (where the trailer was shown).
Posters - at cinemas, train stations, transport i.e. buses in London
Exchange
Where was the film screened?
'About Time' was screened all over the UK at major cinemas (Multiplex cinemas) thanks to the large and excellent reputation of Universal Pictures, who distributed the film and are therefore responsible for most of the films marketing also.
It was also widely screened in the US as well as across Europe, in countries such as The Netherlands and Portugal.
Multiplex cinemas - they're more profitable for high concept films:
Multiplex cinemas - they're more profitable for high concept films:
- they house a large number of screens
- they can respond to demand more flexibly by showing a popular film on several screens
- they can provide an 'experience' - a more modern and viewer friendly experience
Film Gross ££$$:
[BOX OFFICE]
Opening Weekend:
$1,076,250 (USA) (3 November 2013) (175 Screens)
£1,761,079 (UK) (8 September 2013) (556 Screens)
HUF 21,607,349 (Hungary) (20 October 2013)
€192,172 (Netherlands) (13 October 2013) (81 Screens)
£1,761,079 (UK) (8 September 2013) (556 Screens)
HUF 21,607,349 (Hungary) (20 October 2013)
€192,172 (Netherlands) (13 October 2013) (81 Screens)
Cinema Gross [overall]
Gross
$15,001,378 (USA) (8 December 2013)$14,663,658 (USA) (1 December 2013)
$11,568,000 (USA) (17 November 2013)
$6,275,743 (USA) (10 November 2013)
$1,076,250 (USA) (3 November 2013)
£7,584,099 (UK) (10 November 2013)
£7,571,226 (UK) (3 November 2013)
£7,533,179 (UK) (27 October 2013)
£7,444,265 (UK) (20 October 2013)
£7,250,474 (UK) (13 October 2013)
£6,892,795 (UK) (6 October 2013)
£6,263,595 (UK) (29 September 2013)
£5,309,062 (UK) (22 September 2013)
£3,895,293 (UK) (15 September 2013)
£1,761,079 (UK) (8 September 2013)
€934,627 (Netherlands) (20 November 2013)
€896,048 (Netherlands) (13 November 2013)
€833,345 (Netherlands) (6 November 2013)
€741,209 (Netherlands) (30 October 2013)
€593,358 (Netherlands) (23 October 2013)
€375,611 (Netherlands) (16 October 2013)
€244,923 (Portugal) (11 December 2013)
€240,600 (Portugal) (4 December 2013)
€234,329 (Portugal) (27 November 2013)
€216,528 (Portugal) (20 November 2013)
€175,004 (Portugal) (13 November 2013)
€100,842 (Portugal) (6 November 2013)
Exhibition...
Blanket exhibition -
- High concept films are usually given a 'blanket release' (also known as saturation release), where a film is exhibited across a vast number of cinemas simultaneously in order to meet expected demand.
- This is because high concept films are expected to attract a mass audience.
- Most of the money made through theatrical exhibition comes through multiplexes.
Audience...
'About Time' is rated '12' or 'R' meaning that the film is generally targeted at an adult audience, plus perhaps teenagers.
Some reasons why the film was certificated a 12 -
5/10
Brief scenes of sexuality in which it is implied that two people are having sex under the sheets.
A poster of a topless women is briefly in the background of one scene.
Some conversation regarding sex, (blow job, oral sex, cunnilingus)
A woman is seen topless twice, but she covers her breasts with her hands.
Brief scenes of sexuality in which it is implied that two people are having sex under the sheets.
A poster of a topless women is briefly in the background of one scene.
Some conversation regarding sex, (blow job, oral sex, cunnilingus)
A woman is seen topless twice, but she covers her breasts with her hands.
2/10
A character is in a car crash; some bruises and cuts are shown on her face while in a hospital bed.
A character is in a car crash; some bruises and cuts are shown on her face while in a hospital bed.
5/10
some uses of s**t, b*st**d, b**ch, ***hole , d**k, and 5 uses of f***, 4 of them used within the first 20 or so minutes of the film.
some uses of s**t, b*st**d, b**ch, ***hole , d**k, and 5 uses of f***, 4 of them used within the first 20 or so minutes of the film.
5/10
A character has an alcohol problem. Some drinking and smoking by characters. A drunk driving scene.
Suggested Rating - PG-13: (for sexual content, partial nudity, some strong language, and a brief disturbing image)
Overall a very clean rated R film. If they had cut out 3 of the f words then it would have been PG-13.
Total: 17/50
Should be okay with kids/teens 12/13+
Overall a very clean rated R film. If they had cut out 3 of the f words then it would have been PG-13.
Total: 17/50
Should be okay with kids/teens 12/13+
A 'British Film'?
BFI Category:
CATEGORY D
'FILMS MADE IN THE UK WITH (USUALLY) BRITISH CULTURAL CONTENT, BUT FINANCED FULLY OR PARTLY BY AMERICAN COMPANIES.
Working Title films usually come under this category because they are mostly owned by and are provided finance by Universal Pictures.
Factors which contribute to making the film 'British' -
- Produced and party funded by a British production company 'Working Title' (although they are now mostly owned by Universal)
- British director : Richard Curtis - produces most Working Title films, especially in the 'rom-com' genre (romantic + comedy)
- Mostly british cast - although American actress Rachel McAdams appeals to the large American audience
- Mostly British team - e.g. producer, editor, location manager, script editor etc
- Filmed in Britain:
My opinion on the film...
I really enjoyed watching the film. I saw it at an 'Empire' cinema (multiplex) and have also purchased the DVD. I was attracted to the film when I saw the trailer on YouTube.
England is presented in positive aspects, with the beautiful location/scenery of Cornwall and the infamous city of 'London' is portrayed as a busy, lively city with culture (people playing instruments in tube station/ scenes in art galleries etc/ restaurants etc)
Here is a review from 'IMDb' - (from a user who watched the film) ------
User Reviews
Other reviews:
http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/155249/about-time
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/about_time/
http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/155249/about-time
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/about_time/
Although it shares some similarities with 'The Time Traveler's Wife' (the same female lead actress, Rachel McAdams) and 'Groundhog Day', but rest assured, 'About Time' is a witty, intelligent, charming, sweet film with surprising depth and heart. The script was well written, the direction was great and the casts made a decent performance in their respective roles.
The film done a fine job in balancing the comedic and dramatic elements of the story, providing enough laughter and allowing it to flow smoothly without feeling too overly long despite its 2 hours running time.
Despite the time-traveling plot device, the story focuses on the father-son relationship of Tim and his dad and the lovely romantic relationship between Tim and Mary, without being too sappy, too overly lovey-dovey or too sentimental. The message or overall theme of the film about appreciating life as if it was your last was subtle and not too forceful or preachy.The selection of songs for the film was appropriate and not too overly done for the emotional scenes.The on-screen chemistry between Rachel and Domhnall are convincing enough for the audience to watch them going through life together. On the other hand, Domhnall and Bill, as father and son, their connection is felt throughout the film and certainly evoke some poignant memories when watching them together.
It's one of the best romantic comedies this year had to offer, better than the disappointing 'Time Traveler's Wife'. It's a great date movie that's not to be missed.