Do Now

1. Do Now Place the business risks on the board as either a low risk or high risk for a film studio.

2. Film Finance • Aims: to gain an understanding of how Hollywood studio and independent film gets made. • To research the production process of a film.

3. Film Production • The average cost for a Hollywood blockbuster, including its marketing is…….. • $100million!!! • So studios are not inclined to take risks! • Any studio project made by untried talent or without a big name actor on whom to focus an advertising campaign will face an up hill struggle to be ’green-lighted’. • Can you think of any popular, high grossing films without any star names?

4. Getting a film made:‘The Package’ • Starter task: turn to your booklets and do the film finance gap fill with your partner. • The film package is put together by the producer. • It is presented to potential investors, financers and distributors. • It must include the following key elements and selling points: • Script Treatment • Generic Characteristics. • A Proposed Budget. • Storyboard of Key Scenes. • Established director / writer with proven track record to attract target audience and reassure investors.

5. The Pitch Term used for the presentation of the package by the producer to potential financial backers. The producer may say their film is a hybrid of two successful movies. “It’s Terminator meets Dirty Harry.” - Hollywood Producer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9LSYV0b6bI

6. ‘High – Concept Films’ • Made famous by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer as a response to high risk film production. • These films repackaged previously successful elements, such as big name stars and directors. • They also remade past hits or ‘extended franchises’ (sequels). • Often they are ‘high octane’ action/disaster movies. • Made for a PG or 12 rating so appealing to a mass audience- the lowest common denominator’. • These are high cost films made to maximise profits- low risk, big profits!

7. The summer blockbuster • For many years Hollywood has made mass market films for the summer. • Many of these films will be released with merchandise tie ins and big marketing budgets. • The first merchandise led summer blockbuster was Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ (1975). • http://www.hollywood.com/feature/Top_10_Summer_Blockbusters_of_All_Time/5240001

8. Commitment to Invest Investors will only commit to a package when they have a clear presentation of the target audience for the film. This is done through extensive market research. Which includes? If a return on the investment is possible then the project will be give the ‘green light’, meaning that the studio will fund the next stage, which would consist of the writing / finishing off of the screenplay.

9. The role of the Producer? • Discuss: What do producers do? • Producers are the ones who do the groundwork to get a film made. After reading a script they like they will often be the ones who will pitch the film to a studio or other financers • Producers can also be responsible for the organisational aspects of the production itself, including being in charge of the budget. • They will then pass the job of directing the film to someone with more artistic, creative abilities! • Some producers are also directors such as Clint Eastwood. • If they are an executive producer they are more or less a ‘silent partner’ who has invested in the film but will not interfere with the production.

10. The Film Budget • What do producers have to consider when working out the costing of a film? • Paying the cast • Paying the crew • Post production- editing etc. • Filming equipment • Travel/shipping and catering • Mise-en-scene (set building, hiring props, vehicles etc) • Film taxes. • Hiring/compensating.

11. Why do some stars get Involved in a Film’s Production? • Gives them greater control over their career. • Sometimes it is they who get the script first and get to choose who will direct the film. • Example: Tom Cruise • As well as being a huge ‘bankable’ star, Cruise is also a producer with the influence to get film made. • He co-produced ‘Mission Impossible 2’ and Minority Report • Cruise chose John Woo as Mi2’s director and JJ Abram for Mi3. • Stars are now a franchise or a brand rather than actors.

12. Bankability • A Select group of stars who can guarantee a film’s international success on the strength of their name alone. • Bankability is the ability of a star’s name to: raise money for a film • attract support from major studios • pull in cinemas-goers at the box office • Task: brainstorm a list of the world’s most ‘bankable’ actors. • How many are women? • How many are black/Asian? • Select two and list 3 of their films? Were they all successful?

13. ‘Indie Films’ • With the advancement of new digital technologies it is easier to make films on a much smaller budget. • Example: ‘Monsters’ (2010) by UK director Gareth Edwards. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_-gL3U1T5Y • ‘Monsters’ was made for $800k and shot entirely on location with mostly non actors (except for the two lead characters who are relative unknowns). • Despite being shot in the US with a US cast the film is a UK film, making more money in the UK and Europe than the US. • In comparison ‘I am Legend’ cost $150 million to make!

14. Funding for Independent Films • Independent film production is developed and realised outside major studio settings. • Sources of finance: - Banks - Investment Companies - Rich Private Investors - The Government: the national lottery.

15. Currently Fashionable Genres • What are the currently fashionable genres in Hollywood production: • ‘Torture horror’ – the ‘Saw’ films. • Comic book heroes- ‘Iron Man’, ‘X- Men’ etc • Broad parody comedies- ‘Epic Movie’, ‘Teen Movie’. • Fantasy – ‘Narnia’ and ‘Ring’ films, ‘Pirates’ etc • Animation- too many to mention! • Discuss: Why are these genres popular at the moment?

16. The ‘Crossover’ film • The ‘crossover’ film is a relatively low budget independent film without big name actors that does well commercially (makes lots of money). • Generally these films begin in fewer cinemas but as word of mouth spreads (and it wins awards) the film becomes a surprise ‘sleeper hit’. • Read: page 99 ‘Titanic’ vs ‘The Full Monty’. • The crossover film is a dream come true to Hollywood or any film industry. Why? • Because it makes the biggest profit margin! • Task: read the article about ‘The King’s Speech’ in the booklet.