Task 4 - Producers and Distributors

What is a film producer?

Producers, whether they're employed as part of a wider production company or independently, are responsible for filling a large variety of roles to do with the film. They plan and coordinate many aspects of the film's production, for example script writing, directors, editors and main cast. During production, they are the first point of contact for all production partners, investors and distributors. Producers must approve every change made to the film. During post-production, they deal with financing and distribution companies to plan how the film will be marketed.

What is a film distributor?

A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film, and has become a key part in film production financing. The distributors are usually a different company than the production company. A distributors job may involve setting a release date for the particular film, and distributing the film to various viewing platforms such as cinemas or even straight to Bluray/DVD. The primary distributor will then most-likely receive a notable mention in the film's credits sequence. 

Warner Bros. Entertainment

Where are they based/ who owns them?

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (often referred to as Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. or WB) is an American entertainment company owned by Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank, California. Warner Bros. has subsidiaries including DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Interactive, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Home Video, New Line Cinema, Castle Rock Entertainment and Turner Entertainment, as well as half of The CW network.

What they produce

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains worldwide distribution rights. It also monetizes its distribution and marketing operations by distributing films that are totally financed and produced by third parties. Among the films on Warner Bros. Pictures’ 2016 slate are Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Conjuring 2 (from New Line Cinema), Suicide Squad, Sully, Storks, The Accountant and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Famous Films

The Dark Knight-2008 ($534,967,647)

The Dark Knight Rises-2012($448,768,456)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2-2011 ($381,011,219)

American Sniper-2014 ($350,126,372)

Common Film certificate

A very common certificate which is being used recently is DC comics. Warner Bros. are the producers of any DC films or cartoons.

Fox Entertainment Group (20th Century Fox)

Where are they based/who owns them?

The Fox Entertainment Group is an American entertainment company . The company is wholly owned and controlled by the American media conglomerate 21st Century Fox, which is owned and chaired by Rupert Murdoch, since the company acquired all the stock of Fox.

What they produce

Fox entertainment group produce mainly four segments, mainly filmed entertainment, television stations, television broadcast networks, and cable network programming.

Famous Films

Avatar-2009 ($760,507,625)

Titanic-1997 ($658,672,302)

Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace ($474,544,677)

Deadpool-2016 ($363,070,709)

Paramount Pictures

Where are they based/who owns them?

Paramount Pictures corporation is an American film studio, television production company and motion picture distributor, consistently ranked as one of the "Big Six" film studios of Hollywood. It was founded on May 8, 1912 by W. W. Hodkinson Adolph Zukor Jesse L. Lasky. Their Headquarters is currently located in Hollywood, California. their current revenue is $2.885 billion. Their current owner is Viacom. Paramount pictures have produced classics such as Titanic starring Lionardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

What they produce

Feature film production and distribution, video and DVD worldwide distribution, and production of programs for television broadcast and syndication.

Famous Films

Forrest Gump-1994 ($330,252,182)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-2009 ($402,111,870)
Shrek the Third-2007 ($322,719,944)
Iron Man-2008 ($318,412,101)

Minor Film Companies



Where are they based/ who owns them?
United Artists (UA) is an American film and television entertainment studio. The studio was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, with the intention of controlling their own interests rather than depending upon the powerful commercial studios.

What they produce

United artists produce tv, movies and music. This minor company is owned by the bigger and more known company MGM.

Famous Films

• Gone With The Wind (1939, $189,000,000)
• Rain Man (1988, $172,000,000)
• Die Another Day (2002, $160,000,000)
• Other films include: the Rocky series, many of the older James Bond films, and Hannibal.
• They have also distributed films such as Spectre and Hot Tub Time Machine

Learning Comments

Most big name companies are located in America. America is known for being a well known location in the entertainment business. Most actors travel here in order to get a "shot at fame. These studios are usually based in Hollywood. This is where the most money is involved or can be made. 

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task






During the opening few shots I feel like the transitioning between shots has been edited to look very smooth, giving the illusion to the viewer that the sequences happen seamlessly. There is little-to-no jump-cutting, which is a significant improvement over our first creative task. We used the camera techniques to great effect, especially when picking up the bag nearing the end, where 3 different shots have been edited to flow neatly together. However, there were also a few continuity issues during our video. For example, when the shot-reverse-shot sequence of the conversation takes place, there are a couple of moments where my head is at a different angle to the previous shot. There was also a shot where the lighting significantly changes to gloomy, whereas the rest of the shots were quite bright.
Lastly, the sound needs to be improved, as sometimes the characters alter their volume by accident when speaking, which also isn't helped by issues such as wind and poor sound recording in general by the iPhone. This can be solved by using mics.

Learner comments

In this task I have learned the importance of continuity between numerous shots. The match on action shots make films more interesting than only a single shot, however are harder to pull off and edit it to transition seamlessly. I have also realised the need to talk clearly during a video to avoid confusion as to what's being said. Finally, next time editing I must play the 'finished' film several times with loud volume, to be completely sure that I have cut every individual mistake.

Conventions of an Opening Sequence

Task 3 from Jii Hol

Learning Comments
This task helped me realise how directors try and set the mood of movies early on in the movie.

Time Toast

Time Toast


http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/1346645

Creative Task 1- Reverse shot, 180 Rule

This is our first attempt of the 180 degree rule. In this video we used a shot reverse shot method. We tried to create a normal conversation.

Pros 
We used the shot reverse shot technique very well and we timed our cuts to the scene well. The editing was accurate and we were able to crop out the cameraman shouting go. The camera angle was good and mostly consistent and we used the 180 degree rule to full extent.

Cons
There was wind which can be heard on video. We didn't speak loud enough at times. The continuity of the reverse shots towards the end had problems.

Learning Comments
After completing this task I've learnt the importance of the 180 degree rule and the confusion it causes if the rule was broken. I've also learnt that when filming scenes like this, you should use a landscape view rather than a portrait view when filming with an IPhone 6. This is because on a computer the portrait view does not convert properly.

Construction

Evaluation

Final Product

Research and planning

Research and Planning- Famous Opening Sequences

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Typography

The first typography we see in the opening scene is That Universal studios is presenting the movie. Next we see the companies which made the production which are Marc Platt, Big Talk Films and Closed on Mondays. It is very important to have the brands of other companies first before anything else as that then trademarks the rest of the movie to them. After this we see the rest of the typography below:

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Michael Cera

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Kieran Culkin

Chris Evans

Anna Kendrick

Brie Larson

Alison Pill

Brandon Routh

Jason Schwartzman

Jonny Simmons

Mark Webber

Mae Witman

Ellen Wong

Satya Bhabha

Keita Saito

Shota Seito

Casting by: Alison Jones, Robin D. Cook, Jennifer Euston

Music composed by: Nigel Godrich

Music supervisor: Kathy Nelson

Co-Producers: Joe Nozemack, Lisa Gitter, Steven V. Scavelli

Costume designer: Lauren Jean Shannon

Visual effects supervisor: Frazer Churchill

Editors: Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss

Production designer: Marcus Rowland

Director of photography: Bill Pope

Executive producers: Ronaldo Vasconcellos, J. Miles Dale, Jared Leboff, Adam Siegel

Produced by: Marc Platt, Eric Gitter, Nira Park, Edgar Wright

Based on the ONI press of Graphic Novels by: Brian Lee O' Malley

Screenplay by: Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright

Directed by: Edgar Wright

From this I noticed that the main stars of the film usually appear first who are then followed by the co-stars. Then come the people who actually helped film the movie and make it. I think the actors going first is what would catch the audiences attention to the film and help them know what type of movie they will be watching(for example: Michael Cera usually plays an awkward role in movies). The font that is used for the typography has a nostalgic video game feel and it seems more retro.

Sound

Throughout this opening scene there is music playing from the band at the beginning. There is little direct language during this.

Camera

The opening scene has a lot of visual effects and bright colors which would help catch the viewers attention. This also shows that the film is not a serious one but more fun and comedic.

Overall View

From this opening scene you can tell by the visual effects that the movie might be childlike and funny. We know this because the visual effects that are used seem to be like the visual effects of a video game.

Juno

Typography

The Typography in this movie again begins with the company which is presenting the movie to you(Fox Searchlight Pictures) and is followed by the companies which produced the movie(A Mandate Pictures, Mr. Mudd production) The rest of the typography is the following below:

Juno

Ellen Page

Michael Cera

Jennifer Garner

Jason Bateman

Allison Janney

J.k Simmons

Alivia Thirlby

Casting by: Mindy Martin and Kara Lipson

Costume designer: Monique Prudhomme

Music by: Mateo Messina

Songs by: Kimya Dawson

Music supervisors: Peter Afterman and Margaret Yen

Co-producers: Jim Miller, Kelli Konop, Brad Van Arragon

Film Editor: Dana E. Glauberman

Production Designer: Steve Saklad

Director of photography: Eric Steelberg

Executive Producers: Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane, DAniel Dubiecki

Produced by: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Mason Nocick, Russel Smith

Written by: Diablo Cody

Directed by: Jason Reitman

The typography of this movie is very creative and colorful unlike most typography. Because the words are in bright colors it helps them stand out from the more bland colors in the background The font is a bubble letter format which is bold and stands out.

Sound

The sound in the opening scene of the movie is just a song playing as the opening credits appear.

Camera

The camera is mostly a pan shot, but most of this scene was edited with the visual effect of a drawing. This is a very unique opening scene to a movie.

Overall Views

From this opening scene you can tell the character is a care-free type; but you don't find out what the movie is about. This would hook the audience as they may think "what is so special about this girl" and want to see more of the film to find out.

Superbad

Typography

This movie begins with the iconic logo of the Sony Pictures Entertainment company and is followed by the bright logo of Columbia Pictures.

The typography below is what follows:

Colombia pictures presents

An Apatow company production

SuperBad

Jonah Hill

Michael Cera

Seth Rogen

Bill Hader

Kevin Corrigan

Joe Lo Truglio

Martha MacIsaac

Emma Stone

And introducing Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Casting by: Allison Jones

Costume designer: Debra McGuire

Co-producer: Dara Weintraub

Music supervision by: Jonathan Karp

Music by: Lyle Workman

Edited by: William Kerr

Production designer: Chruis Spellman

Director of photography: Russ Alsobrook, AC

Executive producers: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Produced by: Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson

Written by: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg

Directed by: Gres Molotta

The typography in this movie seems to use a more normal font using normal colors. The colors have to be changed regularly which makes the font color inconsistent. This happens because the color of the background keeps changing. The font is very clear and is usually consistent in where the words appear on the screen(to the right); but with more important people the words seem to appear more in the middle.

Sound

The music in this intro is very funky or like its from an older time. This may link to the rest of the movie as maybe it means the main characters of the movie aren't as "cool" or as "normal" as the other characters of the film.

Camera

There are a lot of bright colors and this kind of links to the music that is playing and what is happening on screen. There are two "shadows" that are dancing to music. These may be signs that the film wont be a serious one but instead a more joking and playful one.

Overall Views

I think that the opening is very interesting and sets the film up perfectly. The dancing isn't good which signifies these characters aren't perfect and have flaws, but don't care and still openly show them.

Ferris Bueller's Day off

Typography

Paramount Pictures Presents

A John Hughes film

Matthew Broderick in

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Staring Alan Ruck

Mia Sara

Jeffrey Jones

Jennifer Grey

Co-staring: Cindy Picket,  Lyman Ward and Edie McClurg

Music score by: Ira Newborn

Casting by: Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins

Costume designer:  Marilyn Vance

Edited by: Paul Hirsch

Production designer: John Wicorso

Director of photography: Tak Fujmoto

Executive producer: Michael Chinich

Produced by: John Hughes and Tom Jacobson

Written and directed by: John Hughes

The font is bold and blue. The font type is curvy which may mean its a little childish. The main actors names and company names are in all caps but the rest of the "less important" names aren't.

Camera

The opening frame shows the house, this lets you know where you are so the audience is not lost. In the background you can hear people speaking and sounding worried. The next frame shows a boy(presumably Ferris Bueller) laying in bed. His parents seem distsressed and worried but the boy is acting and isn't actually sick.

Sound

It starts with the radio broadcasting about the weather, then it switches to the voices of the parents worried about their son. Besides the radio the entire scene is direct speech and is mostly of the parents focusing on their child while the daughter complains.

Zombieland

Typography

This begins with bold text on the side of a building stating 'Columbia Pictures Presents.' Next comes the rest below:

In association with Relativity Media

A Pariah Production

Woody Harrelson

Jesse Eisenberg

Emma Stone

and Abigail Breslin

Zombieland

Casting by John Papsidera

Costume Designer Magaliguidasci

Music by David Sardy

Edited by Peter Amundson, Alan Baumgarten

Production Designer Maher Ahmad

Director of Photography Michael Bonvillain

Executive Producers Ezra Swerdlow, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Ryan Kavanaugh

Produced by Gavin Polone

Written By Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick

Directed by Ruben Fleischer

This typography was interesting because unlike other movies where the movie name appeared as one of the first words, some of the main actors names appeared before the actual title of the movie. Tis shows how much of an impact the characters are in how popular the movie is. The font of this movie is in all capitals and in red. Red as a color stands out a lot, but I also think they made it red to help further emphasis the blood and gore that would happen  in the movie.

Camera

This opening scene has a very original approach as all of its opening scenes during the credits are in slow motion. You can see all of the little details of the movie and what is going on. The camera also shows the locations of where the zombie outbreaks are happening(which is everywhere). I think this is to show that no one is safe from what's happening. This is further emphasized by the showing of a sign stating "The end is near"

Sound

There is very violent music playing in the background of this intro. This relates perfectly to what's going on in the scene.

Step Brothers

Step brothers link

Typography

Unusually this movie starts with a quote(which is usually used for more serious films) even though this movie is of comedic genre. Then comes "Columbia Picture presents". And the following:

an Apatow Company/ Mosaic Media Group

A Gary Sanchez Production

A film by: Adam Mckay

Will Ferrell

John C.Reilly

Richard Jenkins

Mary Steenburgen

Adam Scott

Katheryn Hahn

Adrea Savage

Rob Riggle

Casting by: Alison Jones

Costume Designer: Susan Matheson

Music supervison by: Hal Willner

Learning Comments

Whilst completing this task I have learned the importance of the order of opening credits and who should be listed firstly and lastly in the sequence. I've also noticed that film makers attempt to engage their audience during the opening sequences, as well as how  small features such as typography can be written and designed to have something in relation with the movie.