Differences Between Independent Mainstream Film Openings

The difference between an independent and mainstream film is that an independent film targets a niché audience, this is a small group of individuals, this means that these types of films usually have a more specific topic compared to a mainstream film, which is more generalised. Mainstream films tend to have a broader topic as they want to target a larger audience to generate more  money from the film.

Production 

Wen it comes to producing a film, the quality of the film really depends on the budget. As an independent film company can't afford to make a big budget film, they have to ensure they can produce a film  with a small production cost. This is however opposite to a mainstream film company as they can afford to make films on a considerably larger budget. 

Due to a lower budget, the independent film companies can't afford to have an A-list cast, this is why independent films tend to have unknown actors as they can  afford to cast them in the film. However, this doesn't apply to mainstream films as they don't have to worry about money. The mainstream films can choose to have an A-list cast or an unknown one, this depends on the film's narrative or genre. 

The fact that independent films doesn't have a lot of money also means that they can't afford to make films with a lot of special effects, such as CGI, because they cost too much to operate. This doesn't apply to mainstream films, this is also why mainstream films are more favourable as they seem to have better quality compared to independent films.  

Marketing 

There are many different ways to market a film, the main way is to create a trailer, this gives the target audience a taste of what the film will look like and what's going to happen in it. This also makes them want to go and see the films they can see what's on offer to them via the trailer.  The quality of these trailers would also depend on the type of institution that  the film is being funded by, mainstream or independent. 

The amount of marketing a film gets depends on the budget. As independent films get a smaller budget compared to mainstream films, it means that they don't have as big of a marketing campaign. By not having a successful marketing campaign means that a films target audience would not watch the film as they may not have even known about it. 

Distribution 

Distribution is the way a film gets to it's audience. Mainstream films spend thousands of pounds making sure that their film is secure and as pirate free as they can get it, one way to do this is if the film was secured in a pass-code locked case which will only open just before the film release. This means that if anyone does steal it they will not be able to access the film before anyone else. 

Exhibition 

The exhibition of a film is how the audience watches it, the way that will be the most profitable will be in cinemas and IMAX theatres. This is where most of the mainstream films reach it's break even point. The fact that a film can be seen on different types of screens means that the audience has more options to how to view the film. This also encourages them to buy the film, if they have not yet seen it in cinemas or IMAX theatres, on Blu-Ray or DVD. 

Audience Profiles

Action 

In my questionnaire I asked:

• Please circle your gender?

Male/Female

• How old are you?

16 or less
17-21
22-30
31-45
46 or more

• How often do you watch a film?

Everyday
Once a week
Once a fortnight
Once a month
Once a year
Never

• Do you like action films?

Yes/No

• What would you normally expect in an action film?

.................................................................

I have found out that out of the 30 people i have asked, 9 females do like action films,6 don't and all 15 males like action films, this suggests that action films appeal more to male audience's, most of the people that liked action films were 22-30 years old and 31-45 years old. this also suggests that action films appeal more to older males. Everyone that I have asked have said that they go to the cinema once a month, this suggests that they only go to watch a film if they find a film that appeals to them. everyone whom answered this questionnaire said that they expect to see a mission taking place in an action film, this would includes a heroic male, and a beautiful woman who helps him. Another thing they would expect to see is fast cars and a lot of weaponry, this would result in fights and killings, and there is always massive destruction to building.

Comedy

In my questionnaire I asked:

• Please circle your gender?

Male/Female

• How old are you?

16 or less
17-21
22-30
31-45
46 or more

• How often do you watch a film?

Everyday
Once a week
Once a fortnight
Once a month
Once a year
Never

• Do you like comedies?

Yes/No

• What would you normally expect in a comedy?

.................................................................

I have found out that out of 30 people i have asked, only a total of 3 males and 3 females don't like the genre. the rest likes comedies. This suggests that comedies are a film genre that is liked by both male and female audiences. However i have discovered that the 6 people who did not like comedies were in the age range of 31-45 years old and 46 or more years old. this suggests that comedic films do not appeal to older audiences, this could be because they do not share the same sense of humour that younger audiences do. everyone that i have asked also said that they expected to see bright colours and funny things tend to happen outside in large crowds. There are always things that hit people, e.g. a football. The characters are stupid, but there is always smart people too. 

Horror

In my questionnaire I asked:

• Please circle your gender?

Male/Female

• How old are you?

16 or less
17-21
22-30
31-45
46 or more

• How often do you watch a film?

Everyday
Once a week
Once a fortnight
Once a month
Once a year
Never

• Do you like horror films?

Yes/No

• What would you normally expect in a horror film?

.................................................................

I have found that out of 30 people that I have asked that only 22 people like horror films, 8 females and 14 males, this suggests that horror films are predominately aimed at a male target audience. Mostly everyone who said liked these types of films has said that they are between the ages of 17 -21 and 22-30, this suggests that people younger than 17 are too afraid to watch horror films. This also shows that the older generations don't enjoy horror films either. These people have also said they expect to see a lot of dark humour in a horror film as well as a lot of blood, murder and

Romance

In my questionnaire I asked:

• Please circle your gender?

Male/Female

• How old are you?

16 or less
17-21
22-30
31-45
46 or more

• How often do you watch a film?

Everyday
Once a week
Once a fortnight
Once a month
Once a year
Never

• Do you like romance films?

Yes/No

• What would you normally expect in a romance film?

.................................................................

I have found out that out of 30 people that only 17 people like them, 15 females and 2 males, like romance films. This shows that romantic films are aimed at a mostly female audience of all age. I have found out that these people normally expect to see a build up to a climax but in between this is a massive anti-climax, but he girl always gets the guy in the end.

How Film Openings Attract Audiences and Audience Theories

Film openings attracts their audience depending on the film's genre, but also by making the opening capture the audience's imagination, and making them want to continue to watch the rest of the film. The opening also establishes what it going to happen in the film through its narrative, and sound.

An example of this is in Forrest Gump (1994), the opening of this consists of just a feather floating down to the floor, this connotes the ups and down of the journey that is life. this is later then shown in the film where it includes times of hardship and happiness.


There are also different audience theories, The Hypodermic Needle Model, and  The Uses and Gratification Model.

Hypodermic Needle Model

The Hypodermic Needle Model was created around the 1920's and 30's, it suggested that the audience are directly influenced by the media, and that the audience are passive and film have a strong effect on them. The younger audience are seen to be the most vulnerable as they are more likely to watch films, compared to adults. This is shown through the Bulger Case. James Bulger, a three year old boy, was abducted in a shopping centre and then tortured, and murdered on 12 February 1993, by two 10 year old boys, these boys were thought to have watched Child's Play, earlier on in the week which provoked them to copy the character of the Chucky. Child's Play (1988) is a horror film that a killer doll, named Chucky, goes on a murdering spree.
This model is now outdated and theorists' don't believe that this is true any more.

Uses and Gratification Model

The Uses and Gratification Model suggests that the audience are composed of active individuals who are directly involved in the selection and consumption of media output. There are four main ways the audience can relate to the media text;

• Entertainment - a form of escape from the pressure of everyday life, it is a form of diversion, relation and enjoyment. 
• Personal Relationship/Social Interaction - identification with characters and being able to discuss media text with others. Gaining in site into other lives, identifying with others gaining a sense of belonging.
• Personal Identity - the ability to compare your life with that of characters and situations presented in media texts. You may adjust or confirm your sense of identity.
• Information - to find out and learn about what is going on in the world. - self education and seeking advice on practical matters. 

The Uses and Gratification Model is widely accepted among theorists'. This theory is taken into consideration when making a film opening because it is the first thing an audience see's. This means that the audience needs to relate to the opening to be interested in the actual film.

Husky Productions will use the Uses and Gratification Model as it is widely accepted as well as the fact that elements of it appear in most film openings. Most film opening gives a form of entertainment, this is due to the fact that if its audience isn't entertained then they wouldn't watch the rest of the film. As you can see, Black Swan (2010) is a good example of escape for the audience but also the character drawing. This introduces the uses and gratification model in its opening, to grab the audiences attention. This is what Husky Production is going to do when we produce the film opening for 'Remorse'.
 

Jelly Baby Activity

To help us with making an original film opening, we were given a target audience to create an opening sequence for and how we would target them. The target audience we were given was females ages 15-25, therefore we made a rom-com due to them being targeted for female teenagers and young adults.

This will help us when it comes to making the film because we would know how to target our audience.

Generic Conventions

Different genre's have different iconography's and conventions. Two genre's won't have the same conventions because the audience won't know how to classify the films.

Comedy

The way that comedies are shown in films is through its distinct iconography, for example, there is always
bright lighting and a bright set, comedies also usually use the colours yellow and blue, this is because they are very bright and distinct colours, this creates a higher verisimilitude.
There are also specific character types, there is always:

• Silly people, they are generally very stupid and accident prone as they have no common sense.
• Smart but socially awkward people.
• There are also the regular people, but these are also usually sarcastic.

There are different sub-genre's of comedy, the most popular ones are Romantic Comedies, Slapstick, and Parodies.
Sound is one of the most important elements in comedies, non-diegetic sounds are used to add effects and emphasis in certain scenarios in the scene. diegetic sounds however, is used for dialogue, the dialogue needs to be clear, this is to ensure that the words can be heard for the audience to react to.
The conventions of comedies has slightly developed since the main concept of visual humour was used in the late 1800's. The most common form of visual humour was either Burlesque or Slapstick.
Burlesque used certain music to get the audience to react. This however differs from slapstick, in which it used visual elements to make the audience react.
Throughout the early 1900's the film industry mainly focussed on producing short silent films, however sounds were played over the top of the images, this aided comedies to emerge. Towards the end of the 1950's black comedies started to appear, this would include a darker humour. This form of comedy did not become popular till the 1970's. Comedies became so popular that they had been developed into TV series. Especially in Britain, various comedies became spin off's from some TV series. The height of comedies were in the 1980's/ 90's as films such as 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' (1989) are still watched and bought in the present day.
Romantic comedies began to emerge in the early 2000's. the introduction of Gross Out comedies were also in the early 2000's. Gross Out comedies are aimed at teenagers. This includes embarrassing and disturbing situations that will shock the audience.  Examples of this is 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989), and 'American Pie' (1991)

Horror

Horror films are different to comedies as they tend to make the audience react negatively, and scare the audience. The films are generally set in lone, isolated areas where there is no means of help, the surroundings are dark, dirty and dilapidated.
The typical character types:

• The creepy adult/child character who intimidates and scares the teenage/adults  characters.
• The vain male that dies first, caused by his self-absorption.
• The blonde, stupid, promiscuous who never survives.
• The male protagonist, has flaws in his personality.
• The attractive males who is brave and sacrifices himself saving the other characters.
• The beautiful love interest of the male protagonist.
• The scared, yet shy character who dies near the end.

These characters are put into a situation in which they are forced to use their basic, primal, instincts to survive.
The themes that run through horror films are that, there is always a struggle between the good against the evil. There is also the supernatural elements of the films in which the film plays on the characters fear and blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
Fast cuts are used the most in horror films as they are a way for the film to make the audience feel anxious, tense, and panic.
Non-diegetic sounds are used for emphasis of something that is about to happen. Usually a door or floor boards creaking.
Iconography of the horror genre is that there is a murder weapon, usually a knife, that is covered in blood.
Sub-genres of horrors include:

• Supernatural
• Psychological Horror
• Thriller

Impact of Classification

When ever a new film is released, the BBFC reviews it, and the film is given a certification, this can impact a film negatively, or positively, depending who the initial target audience is.
If the film is given a higher certification than it anticipated, then that would mean that the ideal audience will be missing out, for example, if a film is aiming to target audiences aged 15, and they include things that result it being rated 18, they would have missed out on three age groups, meaning that they wouldn't be able to watch the film and generate more money by watching it.

A film that has had its ratings changed is Gremlins (1984) it changed its rating from PG to 12A after just two months, this also happened for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Certification of Films in the UK

Key Words:

• Classification:

Restricting access to material on the grounds of age.

• Censorship:

The practise of cutting or preventing access to material.

• Legal Obligation:

To prevent material breaking the law.

• Societal

To consider broader public opinion in mind with regards to language.

British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification, BBFC, is a non-profit, self regulatory organisation made up of film industry representatives. It was created in the 1912, then known as the British Board of Film Censors until the 1984 by the film industry to independently classify films nationally. Even though the BBFC classify films, it does not mean that local councils, of whom are in control of the cinema's in their boroughs, has to follow the ratings that the BBFC certifies, they are able to overrule them. However, most local councils approve the BBFC certification and rarely ever change them. 

Up until 1984, the BBFC only regulated films in the cinema, however, since the Video Recording Act 1984, the became in charge of classifying all video for home use. 

One of the roles the BBFC has to do is note any dangerous or criminal activities on video or DVD. 

They have to also be aware of laws that protect children and animals. 

Film Rating

Films have different ratings depending on their contents, films are categorised on the amount of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sexual content, threat and violence. There are currently six different ratings, for different ages. 

U - Universal 

U films should be suitable for audiences of four years and over. These films are set within a positive framework and are offering reassuring counterbalanced to any violence, threat or horror.

E.G. The Smurfs (2011)

PG - Parental Guidance

PG films are for general viewing however, they may contain some scenes that are deemed to be unsuitable for young children. These films should no unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Children are aloud to watch these films without their parents, although, parents are advised to overview the film to consider if it would be suitable for their child, and that it wouldn't upset them.
E.G. Frozen (2013)

12A - Aged 12 or Accompanied by an Adult - Minimum

Films that are classified 12A contain materials that is unsuitable for children under the age of 12. No one below the age of 12 is permitted to see a 12A film in any cinema unless they are accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to accompany a child under 12 should consider if that film is suitable for them. This rating only appears in cinema's.
E.G. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
 

12 - Aged 12 - Minimum

12 Films are only applied to videos, this means that anyone below the age of 12 is not permitted to purchase or rent a 12 rated film. This rating only appears on video works that are able to be bought or rented.

15 - Aged 15 - Minimum

Films that are rated 15 means that people younger that 15 are not aloud to watch films rated 15, this is due to there being, a mild form of discriminative language, exposure to drug taking, weaponry and dangerous behaviour, as well as, strong language, the chance of mild nudity, portrayal of sexual activity, strong threats/horror, and strong violence.
E.G. The Conjuring (2013)

18 - Aged 18 - Minimum

18 rated films allow adults to choose their own entertainment, however, anyone aged under 18 are not permitted to watch theses films. This is due to the amount of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat and violence. These films are able to include anything that do no breach any criminal law or graphic exposure to sex works. 

E.G. Ghost Ship (2002)

 R18 - Aged 18 - Minimum

R18 films contain explicit sexual acts between adults that are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Films with this rating can only be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shop. 

On the 24th of February 2014, the BBFC will be publishing new classification guidelines alongside the results of a large-scaled public consultation which would underpins them. 

"95% of parents with children under 15 say they check the BBFC classification before watching a film and 89% of film viewers consider classification as important."

These results show that film companies have to make sure they get the preferred  15 rating, as they would be able to reach a larger audience than that of an 18 rating, this means that producers try hard to make sure that their films are at least rated 15, if they are aiming at adults as they will be missing out on those 17 year old people, of whom have the same mind-set as an 18 year old.

Researching this information helps with my film opening because it guides us to make sure that we don't include certain elements that will give the film a higher rating than it would need, meaning that we would miss out on a whole section of the audiences that would potentially watch the film.

This will help with my film opening because we now know what to include and uninclude when making our film that will be appropriate for our audience.

The Disappearance

Genre 

The genre of this film is a thriller. This is shown through the way the character was running yet looking over her shoulder. 

Editing 

The editing for this film opening was quite slow paced there female character had a lot of screen time. This distinguishes that the film is about her and she's the one being abducted. 

Sound

The non-diegetic music and audio of this were use to create an eery effect. This further supports that this is a thriller film. The voiceover was also  used effectively, it narrated her fear. 

Camera Angles 

The camera angles were mainly mid-shots, this meant that you could see the part of her that was most vulnerable. 

Mise en Scene

The way the character stayed mostly in the middle of the fame suggested that she is the most important person in the whole film and the film is based on her. 

Titles 

The font and transition of the titles for the film opening suited well it connotes a sense I uneasiness but it not being stationary until the movie title. 

Character

The main character in this film is the female that dominates the screen. The fact that she is also the person that gets the most screen time determines that she is the main character. 

Feedback

There are no institutional logos. The titles are also in the incorrect order. The shot are still and well handled.

The Visitor

Genre

The genre of this film seems to be a psychological thriller. this is indicated through the fact that there are a lot of flashes and the opening shows a lot of flashes that plays with the audience's eyes and mind. 

Editing

The editing for this film opening is very quick, this is done by including a lot of cuts and jump cuts at certain points.

Sound

The non-diegetic music is a natural, yet eery sound, this ties the fact that the main character is in a field and the thrilling effect together. 

The diegetic audio of her voice is a whisper, this connotes that she is that voice you think you hear when you're alone in the woods. this plays on the audiences' psychology. 

Camera Angles

The camera shots mainly included close up's  and long lots. This gave the audience small sections of what they were hearing and also allowed the use of fast cuts.

Mise en Scene

The shots of the main characters in among the trees suggests that she has been there for a long time. This is also backed up with the dress the character is wearing being white, this gives a ghostly feel to her. 

Titles

The titles of the film opening flashes, this makes the audience not realise what is happening, this emphasises the fact that this is a psychological thriller. 

Character

The main character is also shown to be the narrator, this also suggests that this film is about her visiting, but getting stuck on earth, this is established at the end with the date.

Feedback

The titles really fit the genre, however they we not in the correct sequence order. There were also some shots where the camera was slightly shaky. 

Double Trouble

Genre

Double trouble is a romance drama; this is shown through the slow paced pans in all of the shots, there is also low lighting in a majority of the shots, this connotes a sense of sadness in the film, that's soon to follow. 

Editing

The editing of this clip is fairly slow paced. the female character has more screen time compared to the male, this suggests that she is the lead character. 

Sound

The music in this film opening is quite upbeat, and quite feminine. This reinforces the fact that this is a romantic drama. 

There is also no diegetic  sounds, this suggests that the film does have a narrator. 

Camera Angles

The camera angles in Double Trouble are very slow, there are a lot of panning and mid-shots, this suggests that there is a journey that this couple is going through. 

Mise en scene

There was a lot of thought that went into this film opening, especially when the male character was picking up his best aftershave. The fact that this was behind other ones suggested that he is trying to impress the female, who is his date. 

Titles

The titles are clear and readable, they are in a font that is quite soft on the eyes, which generally fit the genre of the film being romance. The titles are also reveal the actors name in front of them when it is their character on screen.

Character

The first character we see is a female, this suggests that this film is about her, this is usually the case in romance films as they appeal more to woman. The male character seems to be the one that may be causing trouble in their relationship, i speculate this as he is seen drinking from a whisky flask.

Feedback

The music fits in well with the opening, however, it runs over, and is cut halfway through a word. 

The titles are also very good, but are quite small.

Dear John (2010)

Genre:

The genre of this film is clearly a Romantic War Drama. I know this because the film opening distinguishes both woman and man as protagonist. as well as the fact that the first scene is a shot of the male protagonist being injured, which then turns into a shot of him on a beach watching, and talking to a girl.

Narrative:

The narrative of this film seems to be that an American soldier is wounded in combat, this is shown in the first clip, as he's talking about himself blacking out. This then sends him home and he meets a girl while he is recovering.

Character:

John Tyree, played by Channing Tatum, is the first character to be shown, and is the first to talk, this helps the audience distinguish that this film is based around him, therefore making him the main character. A second main character is also distinguished. Played by Amanda Seyfried, the character Savannah Curtis is the second character to be introduced.

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere of the film starts off serious. This is due to there being nothing on the screens, whilst listening to the soldier, later then identified by the audience on the floor, talking about his life. The
atmosphere then changes into a lighter, more happier one. This suggests that this is the place where he is the most happiest. This is also shown through the slow cuts throughout the whole opening.

Themes:

The themes that run throughout this opening is the theme of love and war. The theme of love is clearly shown through the fact that he jumped off a pier to get the woman's bag from the sea and that she offers him to go back to hers. The theme of war is also apparent, this is due to the opening scene being of him injured, about to black out.

Setting:

The setting of the film is in a seaside town, in America. This is shown through the fact that there is a pier and a beach. The fact that it is in America is shown through the fact they're speaking in an American accent.

Sound:

The non-diegetic music starts off slow, with guns being shot in the background, this gives the sense of uncertainty of what is about to happen, the next thing the audience hear is a monologue, of the man they can see on the floor injured. This man talks about his childhood hobby of being a coin collector which juxtaposes with the reality of him having 'two holes' in him, due to him being shot. The sounds then rapidly changes to an upbeat music, this music is slightly more fast-paced. This makes the audience feel happier.

Titles:

The titles of the film is written in a letter format. This suggests that this film includes the main protagonist, John Tyree, goes away a lot and they have to write to stay in contact.

Dear John:

The Notebook (2004)

Genre:

The opening sequence for this film suggests that it is Romance Drama, this is suggested through the type of music and the simplicity of the opening through the only black and red tints, the red also connotes love, which also reinforces that this is a romance film.

Narrative:

The narrative of the film opening suggests that this film is about a long journey, this is shown through the rowing boat taking up all of the opening scene. We then see a large house and an old woman, suggesting that this film has something to do with her.

Character:

The characters in this film isn't clearly established. However, the first figure in the film suggests to the audience that this is the main character, a protagonist. This is also shown through how the camera is always following him until he reaches the large house. Then a woman appears on the screen, this connotes that she is the main female lead; a protagonist also.

Atmosphere:

The film opening gives off the atmosphere of being enchanting, yet mysterious and slightly saddening. This is due to the slow paced editing and transition through the opening.

Themes:

The main theme in the opening of The Notebook is that of mystery, this film gives off a mysterious feel which causes the audience to ask questions, such as 'Who is the person rowing the boat?'. This mystery should bring a sense of tension, this is then broken when the old lady is told to get ready for bed, this asks further questions to why she has to be told.

Setting:

The setting of this film is in the modern day, however the film flashes back to the 1940's/1950's this is shown through the clothing they're wearing. This film is also set in South Carolina, this is shown through the dialect and accent.

Sound:

There is nondiagetic music in the background that creates a relaxing sensation, this is played throughout the films opening, although it is broken for a while when a person, who looks like a nurse, tells the old woman 'Excuse me, come on honey, lets get you to bed.' this said with a soft, and soothing tone.

Titles:

The titles in this film opening is very small in comparison to the images. These titles are always to the side of the image, making sure not to cover up the person rowing. This is an exception however for the director, who's name appears in the middle of the screen at the end. The titles are also written in a font of which are seen in letters.


The Notebook:

Panic Room (2002)

Genre:

The genre of Panic Room is Crime Drama Thriller, I think this because the opening of the film includes a lot of cuts which shows different parts of the city shown in it, these cuts are slow but they build up tension, this consists
with the organ in the background, this is usually associated with thrillers.

Narrative:

The narrative of this film seems to be that they are trapped in one of these buildings shown, I think this because the camera is always panning across building.

Character:

The characters of the film hasn't been established, this give off a mysterious feeling for the audience. The only indication to characters is when there is a shot that includes a signboard which includes two people hugging, being happy, however this juxtaposes with the music, this connotes that there will be a break down of a relationship. 

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere feels dark, this gives the film tension, the tension is prolonged in the opening for emphasis, this gives an idea of how the film, will make you feel.

Themes:

The main theme given off in the film opening is solitude, this is given through there being no one in the opening, this also
gives a mysterious feel to he opening, as the audience is questioning why not.

Setting:

The setting of the film is set in New York, this is shown through the skyscrapers, which are usually associated with New York.

Sound:

The sound of non-diegetic ticking, gives the audience a sense that there's a time limit which builds up the tension further, especially as it is accompanied with the slow and low pitch of organs

Titles:

The titles are floating around, like balloons. These show the massiveness of the city, and that what's about to happen, will go vertically unnoticed.

Panic Room: