Film Industry: Chicken index

1) British Film Industry factsheets #132 & #100
2) Chicken case study research 
3) Regulation - BBFC research and tasks

Film Industry: BBFC film regulation

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?

The British Board of Film Classification is responsible for giving films an age rating when viewed in cinemas.
It is an independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees. This means film distributors have always paid a fee to have their works rated.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

Compliance Officers watch films, dvds and online content. They note details of the general theme or context as well as key moments such as camera angles, bad language, drug references, and sex and violence. Their reports detail issues in the work and propose a recommended age rating. If a Compliance Officer is unsure about anything or if the content seems to fall between two age ratings, it will be referred to the Compliance Manager or Head of Compliance.

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.

The BBFC considers whether the material is in conflict with the law, whether the material could potentially cause harm at the age rating considered (This includes moral harm such as desensitising minors to violence),whether the broad opinion of the public regards the content as clearly unacceptable, whether the context presents certain issues (sex, violence) as acceptable, and the overall tone.

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

Many thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation) 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.

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

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

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 special contextual justification.

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context.

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Repeated very strong references, particularly those using pornographic language, are unlikely to be acceptable. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal are unacceptable.

There may be strong verbal references to sexual violence but any depiction of the stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, must not be detailed or prolonged. A strong and sustained focus on sexual threat is unacceptable.

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

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.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Chicken and explain why it was given a 15 certificate.

Chicken has very strong language, strong violence and sex references, which would be considered too damaging to an audience under 15. However the BBFC didn't deem the content extreme enough to push Chicken to an 18 rating.

Chicken: case study blog tasks

Chicken: case study blog tasks

Funding

1) What was the budget for Chicken?
£110,000

2) How did Joe Stephenson end up raising the money to make the film?
Due to having no funding body, he raised money through his friend's investments.

3) How does the Chicken budget compare to a Hollywood-funded British blockbuster such as Spectre or Paddington 2?
Paddington 2's funding was $40 million and Spectre was $245 million, both massively higher than Chicken's budget.

4) Joe Stephenson tried to secure funding from organisations that help low-budget filmmakers. What is the BFI Film Fund and how does it contribute to the British film industry?
The BFI Film Fund is an organisation that, using money from the national lottery, secures funds that support the production of British films and filmmakers.

5) Why do you think Chicken failed to secure funding from the BFI Film Fund?
Since this was Stephenson's first time directing a film, the heavy subject matter and complicated issues regarding abuse, learning difficulties, rape and incest may have made the BFI wary to fund it. Alternatively, the BFI simply may not have seen enough potential in the film to fund it. The BFI can't fund every single film that they're requested, so they must have thought that their resources were better used for other films.


Production

1) What difficulties did the film run into during production?
The lighting and weather were unpredictable in the many scenes shot outside.

2) How many days did the film take to shoot?
19

3) What scenes were particularly difficult for Joe Stephenson to film?
Outside scenes.

Distribution

1) Why did the film fail to secure a distribution deal when first made in 2014?
Perhaps due to Stephenson's lack of experience in directing, as well as the risk of dealing with a film produced on a micro-budget.
2) What film festivals did Chicken feature at between 2014-2016?

The New Hampshire film festival and Giffon film festival.

3) Why are film festivals an effective way for a low-budget film to secure a distribution deal?

They allow films that would not have a large marketing budget to reach an audience

4) When was Chicken released in cinemas in the UK?
May 2016.

5) Why do you think film subscription service MUBI chose the film to feature on the service?

The film was well received at the film festivals and attracted positive attention

6) Why was Film4 a good choice to give the film its UK television premiere?

Film4 is a channel that supports independent films, and so the viewers of the channel would have an interest and respect for an arthouse film like Chicken.

7) When will the film be released on iTunes and other video-on-demand services in the USA and Canada?

January 2018


Promotion

Note: some of these pages will be blocked in school - you will need to complete those particular questions at home.

1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Chicken?

The trailer suggests this to be an arthouse film, with focus on a main character with learning disabilities and the struggles of the working class.

2) What synergy can you find between the trailer and other traditional marketing methods such as the film poster?

Quotes from reviews are used throughout the trailer.

3) Why are reviews from industry figures such as Mark Kermode so important to a film's success?

Respected reviewers such as Kermode will be trusted in their opinions on films. As an opinion leader, audiences will watch reviews like his and determine whether a film is worth watching or not. This is important because, not only do reviews like Kermode's increase promotion, they also portray the film positively and generate a larger audience.

4) How does the Chicken Twitter account create and maintain interest in the film?

The film's releases on new platforms such as amazon prime get promoted. This creates interest by highlighting the film's continued support, maintaining interest as a film worth watching.

5) Who does the Twitter account re-tweet? How does this help to promote the film?

Actors, reviewers, schools and Stephenson himself, all usually praising the film. This helps portray the film in a positive light and makes it seem worth watching. Also, positive tweets about the film show a connection with large audiences and generates discussion.

6) How does the Chicken Facebook page use images and video content to promote the film?
Posters of the film and scenes from the movie grab your attention.

7) What pages are liked by the Chicken Facebook page? What does this tell you about the film and potential target audience?
Film festivals, art house cinema and the British film awards. These pages make it clear that this is an artistic, fairly niche film well received by, and supportive of, film festivals. 

8) Go to the website of the B Good Picture Company. What does the homepage say and what other films have they produced or are in production currently?


"Films that get people talking, make people think, make people care."

Produced:

In Love With

CHicken

Random Acts: The Castle

McKellen: Playing the Part

In Production:

Wonder Of You

Cuma

The Greatest

Untitled Horror

Noel

Caged

9) Now go to the B Good Picture Company's website page for Chicken. How does this page promote Chicken specifically?

Using the trailer, reviews, quotes from the movie and a general summary of the film's production.

10) Go to the B Good Picture Company YouTube channel. What videos feature on the channel? How do they help to promote Chicken?

The YouTube channel posts video clips from the film, teasing audiences on what the film has in store.

Final reading: Media Magazine - the appeal of arthouse cinema

Complete the following tasks to improve your understanding of arthouse film and the possible audience pleasures that the genre offers:

Read Beyond Hollywood: Reading Arthouse Cinema. This is in MM45 on page 24 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. 

1) Summarise the article in 50 words.
Arthouse films are artistic rather than commercial in character. Those who think of cinema as being simply entertainment, which is easier to read, are rarely likely to watch an arthouse film. Producers of art cinema are not in the business of making it easy for audiences to read the film either, for example the arthouse Melancholia (Denmark-Sweden 2011) and the independently-produced Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

2) What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?

Inter-textuality

3) Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? Refer to some media theory here (there are some important media theories discussed in the article itself).

The return to the equilibrium described by Todorov is often absent in arthouse cinema. This is likely to be confusing to general audiences.

4) To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?

Middle class and older audiences may have more of an apprecation and cultural knowledge than younger audiences, which could allow them to appreciate an artistic film less focused on entertaining an audience.

5) What type of audience would be interested in Chicken?

Film Industry: British film industry factsheets

Factsheet #132: British Film

Use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #132 on British Film. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the reading for homework. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British.
Many different factors go into determining if a film is British, such as if it's set in Britain, the actors are British, if it's funded in Britain and if the movie focuses on British culture.

2) What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and production context of a British film?

Hollywood productions typically have "high budgets, a heavy reliance on celebrities both in the cast and crew and spectacle driven stories" whereas the british film context aren't nearly as defined. A recurring characteristic could be that British films will reflect British culture in some way.

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

1960s

4) In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s? 
A gradual acceptance of social taboos in film, such as sexual content in the 1970s and violence and shocking content in general in the 1980s.

5) What groups are often represented in British film? Give examples of films these groups feature in.
The Youth: A Clockwork Orange (1971) presents the youth as violent and anarchic; Eden Lake (2008) presents the youth similarly as rule-breakers; Attack the Block (2011) challenges the stereotypes of a rebellious youth.
Women are also represented in British film.Over the years there was a common stereotyping of women as either the virgin, the mother or the whore.

6) What does the Factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?

The actors being easily identifiable as British and being associated with British film genres. The British audience has a keen interest in British films that focus on class, social strife, education and more as well.

Factsheet #100: British film industry

To complete our introduction to the British film industry, we need a little more background to the industries context.

Find Media Factsheet #100 on the British film industry. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the Factsheet for homework. Read the whole of the Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film counts as British?

If a film does not qualify as a co-production, it must pass the British Film Institute’s Cultural Test in order to be defined as British. The Cultural Test is divided into four sections and a film must score at least 16 out of a possible 31 points to be classified as British.

2) Complete the task on the Factsheet, researching the films listed and finding out what they score on the cultural test: The Sweeney (2012), Attack The Block, The King's Speech, We Need To Talk About Kevin and Skyfall.

The Sweeny: 31
Attack on the Block: 25
The King's Speech: 28
We Need To Talk About Kevin: 7
Skyfall: 27

3) What is the main problem for the British film industry?

Historically, the British film industry has been production led rather than distribution led. This means that many UK films are made but, in order to get the film exhibited, the filmmakers have to sacrifice the distribution rights by selling the film to a distribution company.

4) What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?

outstanding facilities:
British studios, camera companies and digital post-production houses all attract investment from filmmakers around the world, especially the USA.

outstanding creative skills of practitioners:

British directors have made films that grossed billions worldwide.

the Innovation Fund:This fund supports projects that can help the UK make a successful transition into the digital age.

5) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

Option one is that the industry could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat.
Option two is attempting to make low budget films targeted at a niche, British audience.

6) In your opinion, which of these two options would best safeguard the future of the British film industry?

Due to the budgets that American studios have access to, relying on a niche audience seems quite restrictive in my opinion. The massively successful British film franchises such as Harry Potter and James Bond wouldn't be financed without a reliance on co-productions, and so I believe co-production is important in letting the British film industry thrive.