Chicken CSP
CSP: Chicken
What do you know about the film industry?
What is the differences between a mainstrean and independent film?
Mainstream - Aimed at a wider audience, bigger budgets
Independent - Aimed at a smaller audience (unlikely to reach a larger audience) , lower budget, less marketing
Do you know the name of any famous directors
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
Chicken is an example of micro budget film making and raises issues around the role and future of national cinema as well as the viability of media products produced outside the mainstream for niche audiences
Students would need to know, production context and distribution materials including official websites, posters, trailer, social media presence (twitter, Facebook, etc)
Overview
Chicken is a 2016 British drama film directed by Joe Stephen
An independent film was one that was made outside of the conventional studio system, outside of Hollywood or any other large production studio
The style of indie films is a lot different to Hollywood blockbusters as the directors and producers have more creative input - it's being made in their vision, not in the vision of studio bosses
Independent films have much smaller budget and are often supported financially by public service broadcasters, film institutions and charity funding.
They are also distributed by smaller companies
Avengers:Infinity War (2018):
What was the budget? 316 million USD
Who is the director? Anthony Russo (he is well known)
What studio produced this film? Marvel Studios
How much money has the film made at they box office on it's opening weekend? $678,815,482
How has the film been promoted? Social media, Cocoa cola
Donnie Darko (2001)
What was the budget? 4.5 million USD
Who was the director? Richard Kelly (he is not really famous)
What studio produced the film? Flower films
How much money has the film made at the box office opening weekend? $110,494.00
Promotion - It was not promoted as much because of 9/11 and the advertising campaign featured a plane crash.
Chicken (2016)
What was the budget ? £110,000
Director? Joe Stephenson (he not really well known)
What stdio produced the film? B good picture company in association with Bold turtle picture
How much money did it make on the opening weekend ? £8,300
Promotion? Trailers, posters, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , Social media, Film Festivals
Independent films have a low budget and are funded by small production studios or the BFI/National Lottery, Chicken didn't have this luxury
He could't get funding from the BFI or National Lottery as they weren't interested in the film. They only usually provide funding for established directors/producers or films that are going to be successful or have an impact
Director Joe Stephenson had to raise the money himself a micro-budget of £110,000. He had to ask around all his friends and film contacts to put the money together
The 6 stages of film - making
Sage 1 Acquisition: Ideas are created or bought, if necessary rights to the story are bought, screenplay is written and financing is sought
Stage 2 Pre-production: Cast and film crew are found, location chosen and sets are built. This is also the point where budgets are decided and funding is found (where required)
Stage 3 Production: The film is shot and filmed. This includes a massive crew and is the most expensive part of the production. It's also seen as the ' point of no return' for most projects, as it's difficult to recover the costs of production without a finished product after shooting begins.
Stage 4 Post-Production: The recorded film is edited . Crew work on the sound effects and enhancement, images and visual effects.
Stage 5 Distribution: Finished film is distributed and marketing strategies are employed to promote the film and draw in audiences. It is screened at the cinema and released for home viewing on a variety of formats
Stage 6 Exhibition: Films are screened in cinemas across the globe. Screening can vary, from 2D to 3D, from Imax to screens with seats that allow for more immersive experiences (e.g. Cineworlds's D-Box seats).
Chicken - Production
Chicken is characteristic of contemporary cultural production in its use of new technology at production and distribution stages.
Stephenson had to set up his own production company (Good Productions) to create the film.
Filming took place over 19 days in location across London. they couldn't film for longer or in a variety of locations as they could't afford it!
A lot of the film was recorded outdoors - This may be an issue for low budget films as weather could affect on how much time they can film
The lack of budget also limited the amount of 'star' power they could afford. The actors are not well known, meaning they can't rely on the names to promote the film
How would the fact a film is produced independently impact on the success of the film?
Less exposure (as they can not big advertisement) which leads to less people see the film which then makes less profit.
How accessible is the film industry for film-makers on low/micro budgets? Is this fair?
Not very accessible, kinda fair
Could the issues that strike producers on micro-budgets massively affect a production's quality and final output?
Of course
" Independent films can never be as successful as mainstream films."
Financially mainstream would be tend to do better but not always
Critically independently film can better received
Chicken - Distribution
Stephenson failed to secure distribution interest in Chicken, coming across he same issues that he did with funding
Instead, Stephenson spent 2 years focused on showing the film at film festivals
The film showed at festivals in Dublin,Spain, Estonia , New Hampshire and Germany. It had its world premiere in Edinburgh and international premiere in South Korea
He won awards and special mentions at 5 of these festivals
What are the purpose of film festivals? To promote films
Name 3 film festivals
Cannes Film Festival
Sundance film festival
Toronto International film festival
What sort of people would attend films festivals? Celebrities, normal people
What do you think are the costs associated for marketing films at film festivals?
Why do you think Stephenson chose film festivals as a way to screen his film
Chicken - Exhibition
Stephenson fought for exhibition of Chicken and from his 'success' and at film festivals the film got a very limited cinema release in May 2016
The film was picked up by Network Distribution and was released in DVD ub the UK in September 2017. It was released in the US in January 2018
As well as film festivals, Chicken used modern forms of technology to screen the film. The film was initially shown on MUBI, which focused on classic and independent films. It'snow streaming on Amazon instant Video .
a film about one boy's journey - a 15 year old with learning difficulties
A coming of age or even a love story
a film that challenges cultural stereotypes
A film about prejudice and inequality
notes
What make this film a typical independent film?
Filmed in one location
No CGI special effects
Low budgets
small cast
Small amount of promotion -limited promotion campaign
Limited distribution
produced by small production company
not made a big studio
Subject matter / key narrative theme explore
More critical success
Primary and secondary Targets audience :
35-55 liberal -niche audience-primary target audience
Younger audience - who may relate to the characters- secondary audience
Product values:
low star theory
limited special effects
Low production value
-Setting
-Location
-Small cast
-Unknown actors and directors
Focus on narrative rather than entertainment value
Advertising and marketing :
Trailer
Poster - critics, Quotes, release date, social media links, QR cpdes
Website
Social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Film festivals - involves Q and A+podcast + TV spak
Magazine - empire
Film four part funding in return for initial screening rights
Production shoot - 19 days
Exclusively independant film
More online marleting e.g focus on social media
Viral marketing important - word of mout, industry buss
More print than audio-visual (much cheaper)
Limited campaign in terms of media platforms used and length of campaign
Focus on themes and issues withing the marketing and not the production values/spectacle/look
Initially only one camera to film - complex logistics
Originally a play - only in london for 5 days ( same actor that okays richard was in it mates with Stephenson). Long writing process adapting a stage play into a film
Production decisions all about timescales - "if we don't make it not (while we hvae the money) we never will"
Official website acted as a marketing hub with convergent links to audio visual media (trailer nad photographic skills),social media including Twitter and Facebook and contrac
Significant poser campaign with a range of mages
Relevance on interactive digital technology (see web 2.0) in reaching an audince - VOD, streaming, open screening.
Streaming services ised to distribute film - BFI
MUBI
Film Doo
Mapping theory - Curran and Seaton
The idea that the media are controlled by a small number of companies e.g The Big Six (that were not interested in Chicken ) - they are driven by profit and chicken would not have provide a big box office return hence the rejection
The film also challenges this distribution pattern however with complex marketing campaign but was forced into this interactive creative approach because of limited funding for distribution
Non mainstream films like Chicken offer a more diverse independent approach to film making main critical success more important / relevant than commercial success(profit)>
Mapping Theory - Livingstone and Lunt
The idea that UK regulation policy e.g the BBFC os driven by conflict - to protect from harm but alsso allow diversity/choic e
Desensitisation/deregulation core concepts here. Chicken BBFC 15 for "very strong language/ strong violice/sex references
A 15 certificate allowed hicken however to reach its primary demographic but restricted younger audiences (under 15)
Films with educational content (like chicken) are less likely to be harshly regulated because they are "in the public interest"
Mapping Theory - David Hesmondhalgh
The idea that cultural companies try to minimize risk and maximize audience/profit through verticle and horizontal integration (pattern of ownership theory)
Chicken challenges this traditional pattern of ownership but as a risk taking film prevented from achieving significant commercial success due to lack of funding from major organisations
Chicken more like a revenue drip than a revenue stream - reliant on streaming and making a small profit over time
Explain how Chicken could be considered an independent film?
One way that chicken could be considered as an independent film by the way that it has been produced. One example could be that Chicken was filmed in one location due to the fact that the film only had a limited budget to work with. Another thing to note is that due to low budget
Another way that chicken could be considered as an independent film is the use of very little cgi a
Thirdly
What is the impact of budgets on the production of independent films?
One impact of budgets on the production of independent films is that they rely on small charities in orders to help fund for the production however sometimes independent films may not have the funding pleasure for example Stephenson (director of chicken) could't get funding from the BFI or National Lottery as they weren't interested in the film. They only usually provide funding for established directors/producers or films that are going to be successful or have an impact so had to raise the money himself a micro-budget of £110,000. He had to ask around all his friends and film contacts to put the money together.
Another impact of budget on the production of independent films is the amount
Identify the differences between studio financed and independently financed films in the way films are distributed. [15]
In terms of distribution, studio financed films would usually have a mainstream cinema release unlike independently financed films which they rely on local,national and international film festivals to showcase their films to help promote the film and also to gain exposure with distributors who may then buy the distribution rights. Distribution companies work to get independent films theatrical releases - nationally and internationally - and make deals for DVD, Blu-Ray and on-demand releases.
If we use chicken as our example, Stephenson fought for exhibition of Chicken and from his 'success' and at film festivals the film got a very limited cinema release in May 2016. The film was picked up by Network Distribution and was released in DVD in the UK in September 2017. It was released in the US in January 2018 As well as film festivals, Chicken used modern forms of technology to screen the film. The film was initially shown on MUBI, which focused on classic and independent films. It's now streaming on Amazon instant Video .
What do you know about the film industry?
What is the differences between a mainstrean and independent film?
Mainstream - Aimed at a wider audience, bigger budgets
Independent - Aimed at a smaller audience (unlikely to reach a larger audience) , lower budget, less marketing
Do you know the name of any famous directors
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
Chicken is an example of micro budget film making and raises issues around the role and future of national cinema as well as the viability of media products produced outside the mainstream for niche audiences
Students would need to know, production context and distribution materials including official websites, posters, trailer, social media presence (twitter, Facebook, etc)
Overview
Chicken is a 2016 British drama film directed by Joe Stephen
An independent film was one that was made outside of the conventional studio system, outside of Hollywood or any other large production studio
The style of indie films is a lot different to Hollywood blockbusters as the directors and producers have more creative input - it's being made in their vision, not in the vision of studio bosses
Independent films have much smaller budget and are often supported financially by public service broadcasters, film institutions and charity funding.
They are also distributed by smaller companies
Avengers:Infinity War (2018):
What was the budget? 316 million USD
Who is the director? Anthony Russo (he is well known)
What studio produced this film? Marvel Studios
How much money has the film made at they box office on it's opening weekend? $678,815,482
How has the film been promoted? Social media, Cocoa cola
Donnie Darko (2001)
What was the budget? 4.5 million USD
Who was the director? Richard Kelly (he is not really famous)
What studio produced the film? Flower films
How much money has the film made at the box office opening weekend? $110,494.00
Promotion - It was not promoted as much because of 9/11 and the advertising campaign featured a plane crash.
Chicken (2016)
What was the budget ? £110,000
Director? Joe Stephenson (he not really well known)
What stdio produced the film? B good picture company in association with Bold turtle picture
How much money did it make on the opening weekend ? £8,300
Promotion? Trailers, posters, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , Social media, Film Festivals
Independent films have a low budget and are funded by small production studios or the BFI/National Lottery, Chicken didn't have this luxury
He could't get funding from the BFI or National Lottery as they weren't interested in the film. They only usually provide funding for established directors/producers or films that are going to be successful or have an impact
Director Joe Stephenson had to raise the money himself a micro-budget of £110,000. He had to ask around all his friends and film contacts to put the money together
The 6 stages of film - making
Sage 1 Acquisition: Ideas are created or bought, if necessary rights to the story are bought, screenplay is written and financing is sought
Stage 2 Pre-production: Cast and film crew are found, location chosen and sets are built. This is also the point where budgets are decided and funding is found (where required)
Stage 3 Production: The film is shot and filmed. This includes a massive crew and is the most expensive part of the production. It's also seen as the ' point of no return' for most projects, as it's difficult to recover the costs of production without a finished product after shooting begins.
Stage 4 Post-Production: The recorded film is edited . Crew work on the sound effects and enhancement, images and visual effects.
Stage 5 Distribution: Finished film is distributed and marketing strategies are employed to promote the film and draw in audiences. It is screened at the cinema and released for home viewing on a variety of formats
Stage 6 Exhibition: Films are screened in cinemas across the globe. Screening can vary, from 2D to 3D, from Imax to screens with seats that allow for more immersive experiences (e.g. Cineworlds's D-Box seats).
Chicken - Production
Chicken is characteristic of contemporary cultural production in its use of new technology at production and distribution stages.
Stephenson had to set up his own production company (Good Productions) to create the film.
Filming took place over 19 days in location across London. they couldn't film for longer or in a variety of locations as they could't afford it!
A lot of the film was recorded outdoors - This may be an issue for low budget films as weather could affect on how much time they can film
The lack of budget also limited the amount of 'star' power they could afford. The actors are not well known, meaning they can't rely on the names to promote the film
How would the fact a film is produced independently impact on the success of the film?
Less exposure (as they can not big advertisement) which leads to less people see the film which then makes less profit.
How accessible is the film industry for film-makers on low/micro budgets? Is this fair?
Not very accessible, kinda fair
Could the issues that strike producers on micro-budgets massively affect a production's quality and final output?
Of course
" Independent films can never be as successful as mainstream films."
Financially mainstream would be tend to do better but not always
Critically independently film can better received
Chicken - Distribution
Stephenson failed to secure distribution interest in Chicken, coming across he same issues that he did with funding
Instead, Stephenson spent 2 years focused on showing the film at film festivals
The film showed at festivals in Dublin,Spain, Estonia , New Hampshire and Germany. It had its world premiere in Edinburgh and international premiere in South Korea
He won awards and special mentions at 5 of these festivals
What are the purpose of film festivals? To promote films
Name 3 film festivals
Cannes Film Festival
Sundance film festival
Toronto International film festival
What sort of people would attend films festivals? Celebrities, normal people
What do you think are the costs associated for marketing films at film festivals?
Why do you think Stephenson chose film festivals as a way to screen his film
Chicken - Exhibition
Stephenson fought for exhibition of Chicken and from his 'success' and at film festivals the film got a very limited cinema release in May 2016
The film was picked up by Network Distribution and was released in DVD ub the UK in September 2017. It was released in the US in January 2018
As well as film festivals, Chicken used modern forms of technology to screen the film. The film was initially shown on MUBI, which focused on classic and independent films. It'snow streaming on Amazon instant Video .
a film about one boy's journey - a 15 year old with learning difficulties
A coming of age or even a love story
a film that challenges cultural stereotypes
A film about prejudice and inequality
notes
What make this film a typical independent film?
Filmed in one location
No CGI special effects
Low budgets
small cast
Small amount of promotion -limited promotion campaign
Limited distribution
produced by small production company
not made a big studio
Subject matter / key narrative theme explore
More critical success
Primary and secondary Targets audience :
35-55 liberal -niche audience-primary target audience
Younger audience - who may relate to the characters- secondary audience
Product values:
low star theory
limited special effects
Low production value
-Setting
-Location
-Small cast
-Unknown actors and directors
Focus on narrative rather than entertainment value
Advertising and marketing :
Trailer
Poster - critics, Quotes, release date, social media links, QR cpdes
Website
Social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Film festivals - involves Q and A+podcast + TV spak
Magazine - empire
Film four part funding in return for initial screening rights
Production shoot - 19 days
Exclusively independant film
More online marleting e.g focus on social media
Viral marketing important - word of mout, industry buss
More print than audio-visual (much cheaper)
Limited campaign in terms of media platforms used and length of campaign
Focus on themes and issues withing the marketing and not the production values/spectacle/look
Initially only one camera to film - complex logistics
Originally a play - only in london for 5 days ( same actor that okays richard was in it mates with Stephenson). Long writing process adapting a stage play into a film
Production decisions all about timescales - "if we don't make it not (while we hvae the money) we never will"
Official website acted as a marketing hub with convergent links to audio visual media (trailer nad photographic skills),social media including Twitter and Facebook and contrac
Significant poser campaign with a range of mages
Relevance on interactive digital technology (see web 2.0) in reaching an audince - VOD, streaming, open screening.
Streaming services ised to distribute film - BFI
MUBI
Film Doo
Mapping theory - Curran and Seaton
The idea that the media are controlled by a small number of companies e.g The Big Six (that were not interested in Chicken ) - they are driven by profit and chicken would not have provide a big box office return hence the rejection
The film also challenges this distribution pattern however with complex marketing campaign but was forced into this interactive creative approach because of limited funding for distribution
Non mainstream films like Chicken offer a more diverse independent approach to film making main critical success more important / relevant than commercial success(profit)>
Mapping Theory - Livingstone and Lunt
The idea that UK regulation policy e.g the BBFC os driven by conflict - to protect from harm but alsso allow diversity/choic e
Desensitisation/deregulation core concepts here. Chicken BBFC 15 for "very strong language/ strong violice/sex references
A 15 certificate allowed hicken however to reach its primary demographic but restricted younger audiences (under 15)
Films with educational content (like chicken) are less likely to be harshly regulated because they are "in the public interest"
Mapping Theory - David Hesmondhalgh
The idea that cultural companies try to minimize risk and maximize audience/profit through verticle and horizontal integration (pattern of ownership theory)
Chicken challenges this traditional pattern of ownership but as a risk taking film prevented from achieving significant commercial success due to lack of funding from major organisations
Chicken more like a revenue drip than a revenue stream - reliant on streaming and making a small profit over time
Explain how Chicken could be considered an independent film?
One way that chicken could be considered as an independent film by the way that it has been produced. One example could be that Chicken was filmed in one location due to the fact that the film only had a limited budget to work with. Another thing to note is that due to low budget
Another way that chicken could be considered as an independent film is the use of very little cgi a
Thirdly
What is the impact of budgets on the production of independent films?
One impact of budgets on the production of independent films is that they rely on small charities in orders to help fund for the production however sometimes independent films may not have the funding pleasure for example Stephenson (director of chicken) could't get funding from the BFI or National Lottery as they weren't interested in the film. They only usually provide funding for established directors/producers or films that are going to be successful or have an impact so had to raise the money himself a micro-budget of £110,000. He had to ask around all his friends and film contacts to put the money together.
Another impact of budget on the production of independent films is the amount
Identify the differences between studio financed and independently financed films in the way films are distributed. [15]
In terms of distribution, studio financed films would usually have a mainstream cinema release unlike independently financed films which they rely on local,national and international film festivals to showcase their films to help promote the film and also to gain exposure with distributors who may then buy the distribution rights. Distribution companies work to get independent films theatrical releases - nationally and internationally - and make deals for DVD, Blu-Ray and on-demand releases.
If we use chicken as our example, Stephenson fought for exhibition of Chicken and from his 'success' and at film festivals the film got a very limited cinema release in May 2016. The film was picked up by Network Distribution and was released in DVD in the UK in September 2017. It was released in the US in January 2018 As well as film festivals, Chicken used modern forms of technology to screen the film. The film was initially shown on MUBI, which focused on classic and independent films. It's now streaming on Amazon instant Video .
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