MEST1 Section B: index

Ill Manors: Film Review
Ill Manors: Trailer Analysis
Ill Manors: TEDx Lecture
Ill Manors: Music Video
Ill Manors: Broadcast Platform
Ill Manors: Print Platform
Ill Manors: Print Branding
Ill Manors: e-media Tag London Campaign
Ill Manors: e-media Social Networking Research
Ill Manors: Official Website Analysis
Ill Manors: Institution Research
A Field In England: Reading, Research and Questions

MEST1 Section B: A Field In England

• How was A Field In England’s release different to typical film releases

A Field in England was the first film in the UK to launch simultaneously across all platforms; VOD, free broadcast TV, DVD/Blu Ray and cinema. This is a great risk when it comes to making profit but further emphasizes the fact that the film is an art house film as their aim is not to generate revenue but to make their audience carefully consider the themes in the film and to convey the film maker's artistry or ideologies.

• What are the advantages to releasing the film across all platforms on the same day?

An advantage of releasing the film across all platforms on the same day is that it makes the day similar to an important event and it has a bigger impact on the audience. Although the film would have a shorter promotion period, the promotion is on a much larger scale due to the film being released on all platforms on the same day.

• What are the disadvantages to this approach?

The disadvantages of releasing a film on all platforms on the same day is that the promotion period would be shorter and unlike films that are released on different platforms on different days, after the release of the film, there would be no reason to mention the film again. 

• What target audience would A Field In England be aimed at? Demographics and Psychographics.

A field in England would be primarily aimed at a more mature audience who would have a better understanding of the film, along with students who would be interested in analysing the film. Therefore, the demographics would range from 16 - 50. The psychographics of the film would be mostly explorers and reformers as these groups would have a great interest in non mainstream media and try to apply the messages the film conveys to everyday life.

• Do you think all films in future will be released across all platforms simultaneously in future?

In my opinion, I don't think all films in the future will be released across all platforms simultaneously as the majority of films are created in order to earn a huge profit but releasing films on different platforms simultaneously will hinder the maximum profit that can be made as the hype over the film will die down after a short while. Also, due to the film being released on the same day on different platforms, people will be more likely to watch the film at home as it is more convenient and considerably cheaper, resulting in a loss of revenue. With the film being released across different platforms at different times, the popularity of the film will be dragged along a long period of time which will maximise profit for the film.

Ill Manors: Institution Research

Distribution research

• Summarise the 10 steps of film distribution in a list using your own words.

1. Finding a distributor to distribute the film
2. Identify how the film connects with the audience
3. Launch the film, hoping for consumers to receive and access the film
4. The UK has 6 major distributors and many independent distributors 
5. Distributors receive the films from third parties
6. Distributors sign a contract with the producers, hoping to gain all possible rights
7. Distribution is prepared after a consultation with the producers
8. Think about how to optimize success of the film through the distribution
9. Raise awareness and interest of the film
10. licensing films to gain permission to release it in theatres

Ill Manors: Funding and production budget

• What was the estimated budget for Ill Manors?

The estimated budget was £100,000

• Where did the money come from? List the different organisations and companies that contributed funding to Ill Manors.

Revolver entertainment

Film London

Microwave Film

Plan B

• How did the Ill Manors budget compare to a Hollywood blockbuster such as Skyfall?

The budget for Ill Manors is significantly lower than Skyfall as the budget for Skyfall was roughly $200 million whereas Ill Manors' budget was only £100,000

Film London and Microwave Film

• What is Film London and why does it exist?

Film London is a non-profit agency supported by the government which promotes London as a great location for filming. “London is one of the world’s most competitive and popular film, television & commercial production centres” Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

• What is the purpose of Microwave Film?

Microwave Film supports low budget productions in order to shine a light on film makers with great potential.

• List three other films funded by Microwave Film and embed their trailers in your blog.

                                     

 

• Choose one film funded by Microwave film and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences)

The film Shifty, has very strong similarities to Ill Manors due to the similar genre and themes it surrounds, therefore also having almost the same aimed target audiences. Riz Ahmed acts as the protagonist in both films and both the films feature music by Plan B. 

Despite the movies being very similar, Shifty seems to focus more of drugs where as Ill Manors, in addition to drugs, shows a broader outlook on street life. Also, Shifty seems to have comedic aspects to it, however Ill Manors has almost no comedy at all.

Distributor: Revolver Entertainment

• When was Revolver Entertainment created?

1997

• Revolver Entertainment enjoyed a lot of success with the UK urban drama genre. Find three Revolver films that fit that genre, embed the trailers from YouTube and write about why they were successful.

Shows the contrast of a rich and luxurious life with a life involved with criminal activity on the streets. The two widely different atmospheres allows the audience to differentiate the gang life and life of luxury.

Shows a female perspective on gang life. As the urban crime genre mostly focuses on the male perspective, a female perspective created a huge interest especially for the female viewers as it gave them characters that they can self identify with, if they came from similar backgrounds as the characters.

Gives a more mature approach to criminal activity as the actors are slightly older and a bit more stable, in comparison to other urban drama films. As most of the urban crime genre films such as Ill Manors focus on the impact of gang life and criminality on young adults, having an older perspective shows that these issues has a similar, yet different affect on adults with a relative amount of stability in their lives.

• Choose one film distributed by Revolver Entertainment and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences).

Pay Back Season can be seen as similar to Ill Manors as it has a sub genre of urban crime. It also involves a lot of gang violence and shows the difficulties of gang life.

However it is very different as Ill Manors doesn't change locations too much and sticks to an urban atmosphere whereas Pay Back Season has wealthy atmospheres included to enhance the contrast. Also, Pay Back Season seems to have some scenes that arent too heavy for the audience but Ill Manors, through out, leaves the audience at the edge of their seats.

• Why did Revolver Entertainment go out of business in 2013?

Revolver Entertainment were in a financial crisis and found it difficult to to pay their workers. As the DVD company, one of Revolver Entertainment's main sources of revenue, was falling and the competitiveness of the market was gradually increasing, Revolver Entertainment weren't generating enough profit to pay their workers.

• How is new technology changing the way films are being distributed?

Films now have many more platforms in which it can be promoted and distributed through however such as through video on demand sites such as BBC Iplayer and subscription sites such as Netflix, however this is decreasing the popularity of cinemas as it is much more convenient and maybe even cheaper, to access films on electronic devices.

Gunslinger

• Research the Gunslinger/Revolver film Shank. Embed the trailer in your blog and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences).

It is similar to Ill Manors as there are a lot of violent content with many urban crime themes surrounding it, however it is different as it seems the film centres on violence and does not include many other themes that Ill Manors does include. The film relies on the shock factor and acts more of an urban thriller.

• List other Gunslinger films that fit the UK urban drama genre. Why does Gunslinger focus on this genre in particular?

Anuvahood, Kidadulthood, Adulthood: Adds a sense of identification with the characters and narratives. Also, a distinct contrast is created with the stereotypical London which gives another outlook on life in the UK. 

• Research the British social realism genre. How do Gunslinger films fit into the social realism genre?

The social realism genre shines a light on the everyday conditions of the working classes and the poor. Gunslinger films always focuses on the different crises that can happen in reality of a working class person and makes these people have identification with the film. As the number of people who are of a working class or poor, having films that represents them is proven to be a good business move as their revenue would be very big as there is a large audience who would want to watch these types of films.

• Why does the UK urban drama genre appeal to an audience?

Domestically, there is strong identification created with the situations 

Internationally, shows a different perspective of the UK contrasting to the typical stereotypes

Certification

• How does the certification process work at the BBFC?

U= UNIVERSAL (ages 4 and over)

PG= PARENTAL GUIDANCE

12A = A film that requires an adult to be with the child if under 12 years old

12= 12 and over

15= 15 and over

18= 18 and over

R18 = Restricted due to explicit sexual content

These certifications are decided by extensive research of public opinions which accumulated over the years. This is so the BBFC can adhere to there 2 key principles:

• to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content
• to empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions.

• Think about the certificate of Ill Manors (18 certificate). What is deemed acceptable for an 18 certificate? What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate?

The BBFC considers these to be the factors that are acceptable for an 18 certificate

•   very strong violence
•   frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
•   strong portrayals of sexual activity
•   scenes of sexual violence
•   strong horror
•   strong blood and gore
•   real sex (in some circumstances)
•   discriminatory language and behaviour

The BBFC considers these to be the factors that are acceptable for a 15 certificate

Any of the following:

•   strong violence
•  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
•   portrayals of sexual activity
•   strong verbal references to sex
•   sexual nudity
•   brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
•   discriminatory language or behaviour
•   drug taking

There isn't much difference between a 15 and 18 certificate as the content is very similar but films are categorized due to the severity of its content. An 18 film would have content that is more severe and explicit in comparison to a 15, which will probably have the aspects of an 18 films hinted at or shown inexplicitly.                                                                           

• What are the advantages and disadvantages for a film in being given an 18 certificate?

The advantages are that a mature audience would be viewing the film and as younger audiences would not be allowed to watch it , films would avoid negatively influencing them. It also may reach a larger audience as older audience members may be convinced that the film is definitely one that is aimed at adults.

However having an 18 certificate will greatly hinder the target audience and may make the film lose out on potential profit. 

Tutorial

Video

• Re-shoot intro - improve sound quality
• Additional titles of beginning
• Fades to black during stair scene
• Re-shoot meeting scene (at the end)

Print

• Double page spread - Heading more balanced
• Stand first
• Pull quote colour/balance
• split paragraph
• text on right hand side - move along

MEST1 mock exam: learner response

WWW: Superb grasp of media language and theory...seriously impressive!

EBI: Always remember to read the question. For Q2, It asks about narrative but you don't address this (e.g. narrative theory etc)

Media Forms
How are editing and sound used in the sequence to structure the narrative?

Both the sound and editing are used to express Todorov's theory of narrative structure. The sound used in the sequence is primarily non-diegetic sound however diegetic sound is also used when the camera crew is talking and the noises of the penguins. This helps differentiate the different points in the narrative structure along with the linear editing used throughout. 
The initial equilibrium is shown when the camera crew are talking about the penguins and filming them walking on the ice. When the diver goes underneath the ice to film the penguins swimming, eerie, non-diegetic, parallel music is used to show the dangerous action the diver has taken in order to film the penguins as there is only a small hole that links to the surface. This shows the disequilibrium to the narrative as there may be fatal accidents that can occur. When the diver comes out and slow motion shots of the penguins' belly flops are taken, a new equilibrium is created with the parallel music that matches with the penguin's elegance and beauty. The non-diegetic voice over of David Attenborough dramatizes the sequence and also helps the audience distinguish the different narrative points.
The linear editing of the narrative allows the audience to follow all the events in order of them happening. The different cuts are woven together to make the audience feel as if they are also part of the camera crew having a first hand experience of the penguins. During the part when the penguins do belly flops, drops of water splashed onto the camera which could have been removed during the editing process but it was kept in the final cut to further create a sense of togetherness with the audience. As only a small clip was edited together for the behind the scenes footage, the audience will be compelled to continue watching the fully edited documentary.

Print platform: branding

What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc.)?

Key conventions of a film poster are the reviews and ratings presented at the top which gives the audience quick sense of what to expect from the film. Also the names of the actors are shown. The fact that there aren't any well known actors creates the impression that the film will be more realistic and make it seem like the situations the actors experience, can happen to anyone.  The tag line "To control your life, you must control your manners" gives an idea of what the aims of the characters are.

What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

The dark colour scheme used shows the overall atmosphere of the film to be very dark. The clothing also adds to the concept of a street image that Plan B wants to portray. However, the characters' facial expressions, show a very mixed range of emotions which may slightly confuse the readers as to what the film is actually about.

What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

The poster has synergy with Plan B as an artist as it says "Plan B presents" instead of Ben Drew. As Plan B already has a large fanbase, relating the film with Plan B instead of Ben Drew gives great publicity for the film as well as encouraging some of Plan B's avid fans to watch the film whether they enjoy the particular genre or not.

What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc.)?

Key conventions of the poster is the the large text used for the title, with the typography being very unique to express the film's beliefs. "Ill" is written very similar to estate buildings which is where many of the characters live and "Manors" is written in a sort of vomit-like font which shows the amount of respect they have for manors. The date is also presented in large font so the audience are fully aware of when the film will be released. The characters are presented clearly on the front of the poster and the positioning of the characters makes the audience aware as to who is the protagonist.

What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

The colour scheme is very iconic of the Ill Manors brand. The ground where "Manors" is situated looks like concrete which portrays the street concept the film is trying to promote. The clothing the characters are wearing is another aspect that adds to the street concept. The tagline "We are all products of our own environment" has a rather philosophical meaning which promotes Plan B as a director who wants express the realities that most people are unaware of.

What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

Synergy used is displaying the social networking sites that fans can like, follow ect in order to keep up to date with all relevant Ill Manors materials.This promotes the Ill Manors brand and creates more awareness of it.

What are the key conventions that help you identify the print text (e.g. title, central image, review quotes etc.)?

Key conventions of the poster is the large typography of the film title. Also the film's tag line is placed very explicitly at the top of thThe age restriction is displayed on the poster but it is put in small typography in order to not draw too much attention to it. The cinema release date is also shown clearly to inform audience when they can watch the film. The 

What design features help identify the Ill Manors brand?

The bleak estates at the bottom helps identify with the Ill Manors brand along with Riz Ahmed vomiting on the estates to show the disgust Plan B has with society.

What examples of synergy can you find with the broadcast platform or other print examples?

Synergy used is displaying the social networking sites that fans can like, follow ect in order to keep up to date with all relevant Ill Manors materials. This promotes the Ill Manors brand and creates more awareness of it.

Ill Manors Official Website

• How does the Ill Manors official website promote the film?

The website promotes the film as it seems to give complete access to everything relevant to the film, in an easy to use interface. It's purpose may be to have everything what fans need, in one place.

• What examples can you find of the Ill Manors brand on the website homepage?

The styling of the web page is very similar to the atmosphere that the movie gives off. This would have been quite attractive to the aimed audience and helps them find self identification in the pictures used.

• What links does the website offer?

The website offers links to various different aspects, relevant to the film such as the trailer, synopsis, stills and where to buy the DVD and Official Soundtrack

• What examples of synergy can you find between the website homepage and the print/broadcast platforms?

Examples of synergy used are the shops where the album can be bought such as HMV, iTunes and Amazon. Also, reactions from famous celebrities are displayed on the site to persuade the more people to watch the film as celebrities act as opinion leaders.

• List the links to social media on the website homepage. Why are these important?

The official website only provides links to the Ill Manors Facebook and Twitter page.

Ill Manors e-media homework

   Ill Manors Facebook page

• How many 'likes' has the Ill Manors film page had?

              31,578

• What is the top of the page promoting?

              Blu-Ray DVD of the film

• Choose five of the posts on the page's wall, screengrab them and explain how they appeal to the Ill Manor's target audience.

 

Ill Manors' fans would be interested in finding out about Plan B's activities after the film ended.

Even after the film had ended, posting the music video would bring relevance to the film and may persuade people to re-watch the film.

Ill Manors' fans would be interested to see similar productions as they enjoy the particular genre of films that Ill Manors comes under.

A nomination for a well known award would be good publicity for the film an may attract new fans. It also establishes Plan B's success as an artist and a director due to the two nominations.

The magazine provides a similar genre of media like Ill Manors, in a different form,which fans would be interested in.

• Find three examples of synergy with other platforms (links to broadcast clips or newspaper/magazine articles). Explain how each one promotes the film.

This promotes the film as it shows the high quality of the film as Ill Manors was shown at a well known film festival.

The film is portrayed positively as it is the guardian, a high brow newspaper, that is covering the release of two deleted scenes.

The post also promote Ill Manors positively as the Independent, another high brow newspaper, is interviewing Plan B.

• Find three examples on the Facebook wall of opportunities for user generated content or audience interaction (e.g. a question that invites people to comment or a competition to enter).

• Find three examples of the Facebook page cross-promoting the soundtrack or DVD release.

• Find the Twitter graffiti campaign link on the Facebook wall and screengrab it.

• How did the institution use the Facebook page to promote the film's release in May/June 2012?

With Facebook, all activities with relevance to Ill Manors was posted on the page along with severe promotions of the DVD and the soundtrack. Also, it was even made clear what cinemas the film was showing at which rose the awareness of Ill Manors, heavily.



Ill Manors Twitter feed

• How does the Ill Manors Twitter feed use the Ill Manors brand to promote the film?

Twitter allows the brand to be promoted to all those who followed. When fans retweet the brand's tweets, more people will be informed about the existence of Ill Manors which is very helpful for promotions.

• What hashtags are used on the Ill Manors Twitter feed?

#iLLManors, #PlayingWithFire,#BenDrew, #PlanB

• Find three celebrities the Ill Manors Twitter feed re-tweeted to promote the film and explain how they appeal to the Ill Manors target audience.

Plan B, Ed Skrein and Riz Ahmed promote the film due to their high involvement in it (director and actors)

• How has the Ill Manors Twitter feed used pictures to help promote the film?

Pictures of people buying the DVD and people waiting in places such as HMV to meet the actors and director are used in twitter to help promote the film as it shows the rising popularity of the film which would further attract more fans.

• Find examples of the Ill Manors Tag London campaign in the Ill Manors Twitter feed and explain how they help to target the right audience for the film.

The Tag London campaign helps target the right audience for the film as it shows the opinions projected in iconic places in London which will surely attract the attention of the right target audience as it is shocking to see graffiti on these iconic places.

• How was the Ill Manors Twitter feed used to specifically promote the release of the film (May/June 2012) and the release on DVD (October 2012)? Choose three tweets for each and explain how they effectively promote the film.

Similarly to Facebook, all activities with relevance to Ill Manors was posted on the page but in addition to this, fans reactions and opinions are held with greater importance on the twitter page in comparison to the facebook page.

YouTube - planbuk channel

• How was the planbuk YouTube channel used to promote the Ill Manors film?

planbuk uploads many relevant clips to promote Ill Manors, especially by uploading behind the scenes footage which would not be shown in the cinema.

• Find examples of synergy or cross-promotion between the planbuk YouTube channel and other media texts you have studied as part of the case study. Explain how they both promote the film and appeal to the Ill Manors target audience.

During the TEDx talk, Plan B displayed his music video from his you tube channel. Both the TEDX talk and the music video promotes the film as it shows how young people can go off the rails if they arent helped by people in the position to help them.

• What links to other social networking sites can you find on the planbuk channel homepage?

There are links to other social networking systems that Plan B uses such as Facebook, Twitter, Sound Cloud and Google+

Ill Manors e-media : Tag London campaign

Summarise the Ill Manors Tag London campaign in 100 of your own words.

The Ill Manors Tag London Campaign was created to bring awareness to the film and sound track by persuading twitter users to voice out their opinions on the UK. By including #illmanorsalbum in their tweet, fans were given an opportunity to listen to the tracks of the album before the official release date. Along with the #illmanorsalbum hashtag, Plan B's official account had a large number of mentions and the campaign itself received around 5000 entries; 300 of those tweets were selected to be re-created by graffiti artists and then projected around iconic places in London. The use of graffiti was very effective as, similarly to the subject of the tweets, shows the explicit imperfections of Britain.  

How does the Ill Manors Tag London campaign help to promote the film?

The campaign promotes the film as it brings more awareness to the film. Due to the increases in tweets and mentions on twitter, more people were able to find out about the film. The campaign also shows that the publics opinions on Britain are portrayed in the film, which shows the flaws in society with no one actively trying to alter it.

What links are there between the Tag London campaign and other texts you have studied as part of the Ill Manors case study?

The campaign links with almost all of Ill Manors' promotions, especially Plan B's interviews as these texts show Plan B's ideologies and views on society. Plan B always mentions his disapproval of young people not having a voice due to prejudice but the campaign portrays the voice that Plan B wanted people to have, through social networking systems. 

Why might user-generated campaigns like this be more successful than traditional media campaigns?

User generated campaigns are likely to be more successful that traditional media campaigns due to the huge advances in technology, which allows people to be heard on a much wider scale.

Choose five of the tweets above and for each one write what target audience the tweet could appeal to (demographics/psychographics) and then link the tweet to one other media text you have studied as part of the Ill Manors case study (TEDx lecture, music video etc.) Justify your link for each tweet using examples from the film/promotional material.

PLAN B'S #ILLMANORS MOVEMENT IS SICK, GET INVOLVED

• Target audience: 16-10
• Demographics & Psychographics: E (students) and Mainstreamers
• Links to: SBTV, promotes Ill Manors very casually as the language used and the way the interview with Plan B is presented is very relatable for young adults.

#ILLMANORS #IGNORINGTHEPROBLEM DOES NOT SOLVE IT? #INSPIREKIDS DON'T PUT THEM DOWN? #SOCIALCHANGECOMESTHROUGHACTION NOT INACTION? @4PLANB

• Target Audience: 30 - 50
• Demographics & Psychographics: ABC1 and Reformers
• Links to: TEDx talk, persuades adults with high positions in society to help kids rather than judge them.

#ILLMANORS INCLUSION NOT EXCLUSION.

• Target Audience: 18 - 30
• Demographics & Psychographics: C2DE and Mainstreamers
• Links to: Jonathan Ross interview, more casual environment causes Plan B's personality to show and Plan B's background is presented in a very relatable way

@4PLANB MONEY & LOVE CAN LIFT A PEOPLE UP. IT’S NOT A RACE, WHEN WE’RE ALL FROM ONE PLACE. HOW WILL YOU APPLY YOURSELF? #ILLMANORS #ITSDEEP

• Target Audience: 16 - 23
• Demographics & Psychographics: E(students) and Mainstreamers
• Links to: music video, the sort of rap will appeal to young people and have a larger impact due to it being relatable, similar to the music video

LONDON IS CALLING, THE CITY IS CRUMBLING #ILLMANORS.

• Target Audience: 18 - 30
• Demographics & Psychographics: C1C2DE & Explorers
• Links to: Ill Manors film, shows the effects of the Cameron's Broken Britain