Fish Tank

1. All the Institutions involved in the production of Fish Tank. List them with a summary of what their contribution to the film was.

The institutions which are involved in the production of Fish Tank are BBC Films, UK Film Council, Kasander Film Company. And is distributed by IFC Films.

2. Two other Independent British Film production companies – their “brand”, as well as current and previous productions.

Archer Street Films

Production started in Scotland last month on Archer Street’s latest, the long adaptation of The Railway Man. Oscar winners lead the stellar cast in the £12m film about the true story of a Scottish prisoner of war and his journey to confront his Japanese captors. Archer Street was launched after the success of producer Paterson and director Tucker’s 1998 hit Hilary and Jackie. Also have created; Girl With a Pearl Earring, Beyond the Sea, Burning Man.

Big Talk Productions

Big Talk is one of the UK’s most highly regarded production outfits that’s enjoyed success across film and comedy TV. It also has a track record of finding and working with young and upcoming talent like, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish, who have now been big. Big Talk is taking Ben Wheatley’s black comedy Sightseers to Cannes this month, where it plays in Directors’ Fortnight. Also have created: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul, Attack the Block, Sightseers, Him and Her.

3. Out of the three Production Companies you have researched, which do you see as most successful and why?

Out of all of them I think, BBC films it the most successful. It's produced some of the most successful British films in the recent years, and the films have been successful  It produced, eight films a year and works with major international and UK distributors. Which is beneficial to them as they are getting more help and ideas, from different major international companies.

4.  How much Fish Tank cost to produce (it's budget)

The budget was $3 Million.

5. Film budgets – find 5 films made for £5 million pounds or less?

The film guard $6 million and was released in 2011.

The science of sleep was released in 2006 and the budget was $6 million.

The inbetweeners movie was released in 2011 and the budget was $5.3 million.

6. How was Fish Tank funded?

Fish Tank was funded by BBC films and the UK film council.

7. Research one other way that British films are funded. Are there any similarities or differences?

BFI is now the lead body for film in the UK which includes a role as a lottery distributor, with responsibility for funding film development and production; training; distribution and exhibition; supporting film UK-wide; film certification, the Cultural Test and co-production; strategic development; industry research and statistics; and the MEDIA Desk UK. The role of the British Film Commission in encouraging inward investment work transfers to Film London.

8. What is the target audience for Fish Tank?

Teenagers to young adults, as everything's based around the woman and how she deals with things being a teenager. 

9.Research the mainstream 16–25 youth cinema market and decide which 3 genres are most targeted at them and justify your decisions with your research.

The three genres which 16-25 year old would prefer to watch are comedy, romance or horror films. The reason being is as they are young and the comedy which are featured today are more suited for their audience, so they would prefer to watch the comedy films. The teenagers to young adults would tend to watch romantic films with their boyfriend/girlfriend and the romantic films which are in today are very mainstream e.g twilight and the latest ones that follow on from that. Lastly, horror most of them would prefer this as when they have a movie night in with their friends they want to watch something frightening and enjoy themselves, and in most of the horror films teenagers star in them. So it draws them into watching it more. 

10. Who is the main distributor for fish tank?
The main distributors were, Articifical Eye, MK2 Diffusion, Nuptopia Entertainment, Syrena Films, Alta Films, Canana Films, Film1, IFC Films, Mongrel Media and SP films. 

11. What is the role of a film distributor? Are there any differences between distribution in the US and UK?
Film distributor is a company that releases films theatrically or for home viewing. It plays a huge role in the film's success. As they control the marketing and circulation of movies in theatres. There are some differences, the low budget films wouldn't have very big distributors were as US films would have international distributors as it would be a more higher budget and could afford it. 

12. How was Fish Tank promoted (when it was released in 2009)?
Fish Tank was promoted at 62nd Cannes film festival in France, May 14, 2009.

13. Compare this with a big budget blockbuster. What are the main similarities and differences?
Big blockbuster films are promoted in bigger cities, and would have more fans as they would show previews from their film. And advertise it in the best way possible, to attract the audience. They both would advertise it the difference is blockbuster films would go mainstream and a lot of audiences would be attracted. Where a small film, wouldn't be show cased a lot, majority of them wouldn't of known what the film was.

14. How does the trailer for Fish Tank hook audiences into the narrative and pose questions that the film will answer? Identify 3 ways/techniques.
The trailer is very effective, as it has a lot of montage editing different shots draws the audiences attention. We are identifying and see the point of view for the female fatale, and what she goes through how she reacts. The lighting is also effective, there is low key lighting which creates extreme shadows and connotes darkness, sadness and fear. So we as an audience are indulged and are kind of confused as we want to know what exactly is going for, what's happening and the problem for this. It therefore creates enigma codes. 

15. Analyse the trailers for 2 different films (from different genres). Are there any differences in the way they hook the audience into the narrative and pose questions that the film will answer? Identify at least 2 similarities and 2 differences.



Step up 4  is a Musical dance romance film and they      show the various of scenes which creates enigma codes. As the questions which are being rised  we are thinking about it too. The target audience is young audiences and they exceed in capturing their attention as the song gets stuck in your head and the dance moves and voice-over informs us about the narrative to which is very effective. And it therefore get's the audience thinking different things and of course if the outcome will be a positive one. 

The sinister is a horror-based film suited for teenagers to young adults, the way they capture their audience is showing the scary scenes which builds their expectations high when they go to see the film. Also the use of low-key lighting is strong as it connotes the darkness and scary side to things. Also we are in the main characters shoes we are identifying with him and it also creates enigma codes as what we are wondering he is thinking the same thing too. This poses the questions for the audiences and helps build the narrative clearer and stronger. 

16. How does the trailer for Fish Tank balance plot and spectacle?
It's memorable as the way the trailer is shown, it's shown negatively and captures the audiences mind by the effective use of lighting. Also as her being the female fatale it's different, because it's not usually like that. And the things she says, her actions is memorable. As this is what typical teenagers too, it also builds the story-line more as we see different aspects and it gets us thinking. 

17. How do the trailers for your other films balance plot and spectacle? Identify at least 2 similarities and 2 differences.
It balances the plot and spectacle by the point of the trailer is to draw the audience and to persuade them into watching the film, for them to do that they have to let something stick into the audiences mind. This is done in both of the trailers by the lighting it connotes and depicts the story line effectively and the different actions and shots with it. It lines up all nicely, and thus leaves it in the audiences mind. 

18. Think about the certificate of Fish Tank (15 certificate). Research film certification and outline what is deemed acceptable for this certificate. What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate?
Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated.
Violence may be realistic but not gratuitous or focus on bloody injury. Strong gory images will only be permitted if justified by the context in which they are presented. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. Any such content in this category should be discreetly presented and contextually justified. Generally; horror in this category will be psychological in nature. Acts of sadism common to the genre are not permissible. Strong sex references may be acceptable at 15A. Scenes of a sexual nature may also be acceptable but will not be explicit or prolonged. Strong language is allowed at 15A. Frequent or aggressive use of these terms will have to be justified within the context of the piece.Scenes or dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context; but not if there is glamorization; instruction or encouragement as to use.

These are all the things that would be show cased in a 15 certificate, however in an 18 one things would be more explicit and prolonged. And is applicable for older viewers, as it could leave images in your head or young people can imitate what's being done in the film. So maturity is significant whilst watching a film, and that's why they have this.

Four film poster analysis

The parent trap is about identical twins who are separated at birth and each of them are raised by one of their parents, they both go to camp and discover that they are sisters. The story thus continues on their journey to re-unite their parents, facing difficulties. The film was released in the year 1998 and is an adventure, comedy drama targeted at families and young people.

The poster suggests that this family are the main characters, which  means that they are the protagonists. Their are two close-up shots on the film poster, this is very effective as the close-up exaggerates the facial expressions which convey emotion. The emotions the audience see is of the identical twins who are smirking  this connotes cheekiness, it is polysemic as it could have multiple meanings. Because the audience is not aware of what they are going to do in the film, so it gets them thinking about the different things the twins could do. And the outcome may not be as good as they are showing cheekiness, and perhaps may be the type to make mistakes and mess things around. The picture underneath is very significant as it is probably their parents, because they are taking up the whole framing of the poster. The image of the two characters foreshadows the audience, as it is introducing something which is going to be significant later on. Because the audience know the parents are separated and by the two about to kiss, it connotes a positive outcome and gives away the ending to the audience. 

Having two close-up shots get's the audience sutured as the audience is being stitched into the narrative with the characters. And they are both showing different facial expressions, which draws the audience closer. Moreover, what draws the audience attention is the typography as it is big and bold with colour which connotes comedy as well as the poster having a key light. Being like this is effective, as it would draw the audience nearer and get them interested, and links closely with the genre so it would attract a lot of families. In line with this, the tagline is 'twice the fun, double the trouble' this being their is effective as it shows that its an enjoyable and fun film which the audience would most likely enjoy.

The lion king is an american musical adventure animated film, which was released in the year 1994. It is about a lion cub who is tricked into thinking he killed his father, he abandons his identity as the future King. The film is targeted at young children and families. 

The first thing which would typically grab the audience's attention is the landscape  it's an establishing shot which is very effective as it reinforces the image. And the tag line connotes effectively with the shot, as 'the king has returned' this is showing that something big is coming back and it's very significant. So by showing the sun setting and the lion being right in the middle is very powerful and emphasises the tagline. The lion is the protagonist as he is the only one in the frame, which connotes he is the main character. 

The use of establishing shot is very effective as it indicates the location to the audience, and it's using a famous landmark which the audience would see throughout the film. This is again foreshadowing as it introduces something that's going to be significant later on. Moreover it's establishing with the concept, as we know how powerful king's are and by using the sun which is powerful too shows the similarities of them both being powerful and informs the audience how significant his role is.

The image is a low-key lighting which is created by using only the key and back lights. This effect produces strong contrasts of the light and dark and creates dramatic shadows. (Chiaroscuro) This is effective because it shows that this film is going to be intense as well as adventurous and connotes that there may be some sad scenes too. Moreover, by having this effective shot and light together connotes that it's not a typical animated film but is more meaningful and intense.  

Final Destination 5 is an american supernatural horror film about a group of people trying to run away from death to save themselves. It was released in the year 2011.

The image is a close-up shot and is very effective as we can see clearly what kind of images are put together for us, and can identify the facial expressions. It's very different as it's not a typical close-up shot, it is polysemic as it connotes various of meanings. What we as an audience see are contrast of two things together, humans eyes which looks terrified and frightened and then a skulls mouth, teeth that are rotten and of a typical's skulls mouth. The two contrasts are very powerful as it connotes that the person is in danger, and by having the skull at the bottom could perhaps connote death is chasing her and there is nothing she can do about it. What else draws the audience attention is the fact that their is cracked glasses this again is effective, as it connotes mystery and foreshadows that something like this may take place and could cause someone's life.

The lighting is low-key lighting and is created by using only the key and back lights. This effect produces strong contrasts of chiaro and oscuro this is chiaroscuro. And is indeed very effective as there is extreme shadows in the background, allowing the audience to gaze at the contrast of the character. It makes it a mystery which would make the audience watch it, because they'd want to know if the person or people survived death or not. Moreover, the image is monochrome which connotes danger and mystery. Because we as the audience are not given much to focus on, just some of the props, and the small shattered glass pieces is effective as it could connote the tearing away of the human beings.

The film is targeted at young adults as it's a thriller film, and contains mystery. Moreover, it would attract them more as the image has multiplex meanings, and is not straightforward but is dialysis and keeps the audience left hanged as they'd want to know what sort of location, setting the film is taken place in. So by having this type of shot and a mysterious image inclines the audience and draws them further into finding out what the outcome is going to be and if death is going to outshine them. 

The Last song is a drama romance film which was released in the year 2010, it's about a rebellious young girl who is sent to the beach to stay with her dad for the summer. Through the love of their music her dad and her reconnect and the story thus develops from their and she finds her lover too.

This is an establishing shot, on a beach this connotes the location which she is staying in so it foreshadows the film for us as we will be seeing the location again. The couple being their shows they are the main characters, as they are in the whole frame and it connotes that they are the protagonists. As the sun is setting, it connotes love, peace and calmness. It therefore, suggests to the audience that this film is a love story and is a soul full film. Having the wide-shot is powerful, as it already sets the scene for the audience and we have an idea of the location. And this is what the audience is being encouraged to look at (gaze at) because it could connote a significant definition. This could in fact be equilibrium and be the opening and ending of the film, so it could be polysemic. Moreover, having a full wide-shot is beneficial as we can see the couples body language, and by the way they are it connotes how much they love each other and they have a big impact on each others lives. 

It is a high-key lighting which means that more filter lights are used. And the effect in this image appears more realistic and might depict either a sunny day or a more dimly lit scene. The major difference is that, although shadows are still created, the contrast between light and dark is much less pronounced. Having this sort of lighting makes the characters and the background look more realistic and keeps everything stabled. The typography is in bold and white so it stands out and is in italics, which connotes peace, calm and love. Moreover, the typography connotes a subtext, and it could be the last song which the she may sing or could be death of someone so this keeps the audience thinking what the definition is. And lets them be inclined towards the definition and would draw them into watching the film as they would want to know if its a literal meaning or just dramatic irony. The audience which it may be targeted to is young teenagers, females or young adults. As it's a love story and the fact that it stars Miley Cyrus would probably make them watch it too, causing it to be celebrity endorsement.

Cinematography (analysing two extracts) and the key differences

The film ghost was a successful film which was released in the year (1990). The film is a romantic comedy and is about, a young woman who is in danger and the ghost of her murdered lover tries to save her by having some sort of psychic powers. The first thing by watching this short extract from this film is that you can see, shot/reverse shots.There's areas where we see medium shots to long shots back and forth. This is effective as it get's the audience sutured, and the audience is being stitched into the narrative which keeps them engaged.

The camera movement in this extract is very effective, it directs our attention as the camera shot is a  tracking shot as the camera follows the action along tracks laid for purpose. When the character is running away from things he is seeing, we're involved and we see his point of view as we are seeing what he is seeing, and have that kind of  identification. Their are some areas were we see a close up view of the afraid character, this is effective as we see his facial expressions clearly and feel what he's going through. This also connotes power, as it draws the audience closer and we feel more engaged. Also, we sort of know what's going to happen, this connotes enigma codes what were thinking has been said in some aspects.

The long shot introduces the scene for the audience as it sets the time, place and setting which is very effective. Because we are introduced to the character, and straight away the way he walks and talks his body language connotes various of things. And we as an audience are indulged to it, moreover  it creates mystery as we see by his actions he is very confused so from then on it creates enigma code as we know what may happen in a typical film like this. There are ranges of low key lighting in the extract, this is effective as the low key lighting is created by using only the key and back lights. This effect produces strong contrasts of light and dark and creates dramatic shadows. Which is called chiaroscuro, this is effective in this sequence as it connotes danger and then the tracking shot becomes more powerful so all this tension created is very effective and keeps the audience engaged. 

This film is called Notorious and it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, it was released in the year 1946.It's an american thriller about three people who get caught during their spy operation. The opening scene starts of with people talking, the movement of the camera is used to direct our attention and to emphasise the viewpoint. The camera is panning as it moves slowly on its axis side to side. This is effective, as it connotes the atmosphere that they are in and we as an audience feel more engaged as the camera is moving this way.

Then their is a tilt shot as the camera slowly moves up and we see a writing on the plate. This shot is effective, as it connotes this message could me meaningful or as it has a countries name on top of the door it may mean the location and where the people are at present. This is effective, as it gives the idea to the audience where the scene is set, and this may be useful for later on in the scene. This is perhaps is suggesting that it's foreshadowed as it may introduce something that's going to be significant later on.

The camera shows a long shot of the characters socialising, but it doesn't stay like that the camera zooms in and we thus see a medium shot, zooming in slowly is very effective as it shows emotion's and details and we feel more engaged with the character's. As we see a shot/reverse shot and this is one of them, having the long shot to is effective as it keeps the audience engaged, and we see what they are doing and their actions as well as there body language. And then the shot goes to medium shot and we see a closer look of the characters and their emotions so this is very effective. 

Moreover, we see a conversation between the two characters and this puts us in the character's Point of view as we are in the person's shoe and are seeing what she sees, identification. The camera is over the shoulder shot as we cannot see the man but only the woman talking, this is effective as it connotes that the woman is more important. And the things she is perhaps saying is more important than the man, so we are engaged to focus on only her. The audience is being encouraged to gaze at her as this perhaps may be a foreshadow.

 Key Differences 

The key differences between these two films is that they both reach different target audiences due to their genre. Ghost is targeted at families and young people as it's a romantic comedy, whereas Notorious is targeted at young adults as it's a thriller and a spy mysterious film. As the scene I chose for Ghost was a thriller one we see how their is a tracking shot, and it's effective for number of reasons. And this scene is more intense, so the way the scene is shot is different from Notorious. As Notorious was a calmer scene, and has a lot of zooming shots to long and mid-shots. The different shots are based on the atmosphere and the scene set, and the two scenes had different atmospheres so it was significant how the shots were performed, and had a vital effect on the audience. 

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