The document provides guidance for a Year 12 film studies class. It outlines learning objectives around film production and studios. Students are instructed to present next week on the production cycle of a case study, choosing from genres, directors, stars, special effects, and filming. The document also covers the four stages of film production, pre-production, production, post-production, and the roles of producers. Students are asked to research major and independent film studios like Warner Brothers, Miramax, Working Title, and Sony Pictures Classics. They will debate in groups whether blockbuster or independent films are better.

1. Year 12
3/11/14

2.  LO1: To continue to explore production.
 LO2: To research into film studios.

3.  Be prepared to present on the production
cycle of your case study starting next week
Wednesday.
 This should be in a PowerPoint presentation.
 Keep collecting resources!

4. 1. Film Production
2. Film Distribution
3. Film Exhibition
4. Film Marketing
Choose genre,
director, stars, SFX,
& film it!
£1000 Film reels
produced & sent to as
many cinemas as
possible
Get film into
multiplexes & TV
deals
Advertise the film
as widely as
possible (Synergy?)

5. (1) Development
(2) Pre-production
(3) Production
(4) Post-production
Q.What happens in the four stages of
Production?

6.  A producer may purchase the rights to make a movie
based on a novel, short story, play, or video game or as a
sequel or remake of a film.
 The producer also hires a screenwriter, who must
transform the basic story idea into a usable script.
 The producer often must obtain the initial financing,
which is easier if he/she hires a well-regarded screenwriter
and some key members of the cast, the director, and the
crew.
 Decision makers match characteristics of the proposed
film with comparable films, scenario analysis of potential
box-office revenue, rigorous analysis and gut feelings to
determine whether the movie should move forward. –The
movie may then be green-lighted.

7. In pre-production, the producer will hire:
 director
 cinematographer
 unit production manager
 production designer
 principal cast.
The producer also will scout locations and
approve the final shooting script, production
schedule, and budget.

8.  Producers also are responsible for preparing production
budgets.
 The director implements the actual production(shooting) and
post-production budgets.
 A film’s negative cost—the cost of manufacturing the master
print—has several components.These costs include:
- any up-front payments to the talent, such as actors and actresses,
and other employees
- costs of sets
- other costs incurred during the production process
 During production, the producer will hire a line producer to
monitor the physical aspects of making the film and oversee the
principal shoot.The line producer also helps monitor the budget
closely to make sure there aren’t any budget overruns. Physical
production can involve many elements, and specific requests often
must be negotiated carefully.

9.  In post-production, the producer will work
with postproduction personnel, including
the editor, composer, and visual-effects
staff.
 Major companies such as Industrial Light &
Magic can employ hundreds of people if the
computer-generated imagery is extensive.
 Another significant cost for a film is original
music—whether it’s original compositions or
existing pieces.

10. Write down 5 films you would consider
blockbuster
Write down 5 films you
would consider indie

11. Steven Spielberg is possibly the most
famous director in the world. His first film,
Jaws, is considered one of the best
blockbusters of all time. His films have
grossed over $3 billion
Other films:
E.T.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler’s List

12. James Cameron started out specialising in
sci-fi but has madeTitanic and Avatar which
have broken all box office records. He won an
Oscar in 1998
Other films:
Aliens
The Abyss
Terminator

13.  An ‘indie’ is a film made outside of the major studios.
 They make films with a smaller budget and have to make less
films per year.
 There can be benefits to working outside of a studio:
-You could catch the eye of a studio
-You may be allowed to take bigger risks
-You can work with smaller film crews and forge lasting creative
partnerships
-You have a smaller budget but you have less budget to earn back
before you make a profit
 A lot of filmmakers start out with small films before they are
trusted with a large budget.

14. QuentinTarantino made Reservoir Dogs for
$1.2 million and made over $6 million at the
box office.
Other Films:
Pulp Fiction
Jackie Brown
Kill Bill 1 + 2
Inglorious Basterds

15. Kevin Smith dropped out of University and
got 4 credit cards to pay for his feature
Clerks. It cost $25,000 to make and made
over $3 million at the box office
Other films:
Mallrats
Chasing Amy
Jay and Silent Bob Strike
Back
Clerks 2

16. Stephen Soderburgh wrote his first film Sex,
Lies andVideotapes in 8 days and won the
Palme D’or at Cannes. He was 26 and went
onto tin an Oscar forTraffic.
Other Films:
Oceans Eleven
Out of Sight
Syriana
Erin Brockovich

17.  1. “[Star] is in it!”
 2. “It’s been written by [writer]!”
 3. “It’s just like [mega-hit]”
 4 “[Director] has made it”
 5. “[Famous person] likes it and is willing to
put their name to it”
 6. “Everyone else is watching it.”

18. Task: In two groups research into the following studios:
 Warner Brothers
 Miramax
 WorkingTitle
 Sony Pictures Classics
 Disney
 AnnaPurna
Are they major or independent?
What genres do they associate themselves with?
How much money do their films make?
Give examples of the films they have made.
EXTENSION: Research into your case study’s studio.
Group 1
Group 2

19. We are going to have a debate.On one side
will be the blockbuster movie – on the other
the independent film
In your group decide 5 main reasons why your
side is better. If you can use examples from
other films you know, stars or directors