What factors affect cinema attendance? Refer to a range of
examples/evidence in your answer. 422 words
One would
imagine that in times of economic hardship and recession cinema attendance
would drop due to the expense of tickets and concessions. However, in the UK we
have experienced many recessions and times of hardship and the cinema
attendance figures are often either not seriously affected or they increase.
The BFI claim that ‘After the Wall Street crash of 1929, cinema admissions
jumped 58% on the previous year and history has shown a similar reaction in
most times of economic downturn ever since.’ It would seem that ‘the current
economic crisis seems to have fuelled audiences with the understandable desire
to escape and be entertained.’ Cinema attendance figures are largely made up of
people under the age of 21, who are arguably less affected by the economy as
they are generally unemployed anyway, especially under 16s.
In 2011,
there was a dip in the cinema attendance with the fewest
tickets sold since 1995 and
revenues that dropped 4.5% from the previous year. However, it is recognized that
one of the main reasons for this was that the movies released at this time were
just not enticing enough. It is estimated that around 30 remakes and sequels
were released in 2011; perhaps the dip in cinema attendance was due to a lack
of fresh material on the screen. The Chief of Universal, John Meyer, admitted
at that Universal make ‘a lot of shitty movies’ when explaining their box
office flops, ‘Cowboys and Indians’, ‘The Wolfman,’ and "Land of
the Lost". Cinema attendance, therefore, is most certainly affected by the
simple factor of lack of quality in the cinema releases, and innovated ideas in
film.
Cinema
attendance for specific films can be affected by age certificates. As
mentioned, one of the cinema’s biggest audiences is teens. Therefore when films
are released with 18 certificates, the industry misses out on a large audience.
Films such as ‘The Woman in Black’ were very successful by keeping a lower age
certificate in a genre that is generally aimed at a slightly more mature and
less frightened audience. The younger age group (12-14) took advantage of the
opportunity to see a tension building, spine chiller at the cinema which would
not usually be available to them. This helped it to reach number one at the UK
box office, especially as it ran over the schools half term holiday. Similarly,
some films were released in two versions with a 15 and 18 certificate, such as
‘Bruno’ and ‘paranormal activity’, allowing a wider audience and increasing the
cinema attendance.
Monday 16 April 2012
“More choice is less choice”. Discuss this view in
relation to the Multiplex and what is offered to audiences. Refer to examples
in your answer. 777 words
Arguably
the large number of screens a multiplex allows them to show a range of
different genres of film, suitable to a variety of different audiences.
However, in many ways, there is less choice of film offered to audiences at the
multiplex due to the nature of the type of films that tend to be available.
Since the
development of 3D cinema, many multiplexes have begun focusing on showing 3D
films through which they can charge higher ticket prices and entice audiences.
However, generally these films are action packed with intense visual elements
and effects. Therefore, there is often less choice as these films dominate the
multiplex screens and others which have a different sort of appeal are less
available. Furthermore, action packed, 3D films are also available in 2D which
means that the same film takes up two of the screens, where another different
film could have been offered. Although they have the choice between 2D and 3D,
the choice of films is limited. For example, in the multiplex cinema that I use
frequently, this week there could have been four different films available in
the screens where the 3D versions of films are playing. Therefore the
audience’s choice is severely decreased by the option of either 3D or 2D.
However
the multiplex cinema does offer more choice in regards to showing times of
films. If a film is going to be very popular, the multiplex has the option of
showing the film in multiple screens which offers the audience more choice in
times. However, in such a case there will be a smaller choice in other films. The
number of screens means that there is literally a wider choice of films
available at a given time, however, the multiplex rents the film reels from
distributing companies, thus, most independent films are unable to be shown at
the multiplex. Therefore the multiplex cinema is limited in what it has to
offer audiences as films that are financed by studios which are often very
commercial. Studio financing is usually much greater than independent financing
and therefore the films that are typically shown at a multiplex have big
budgets attached and have had the studio sets, effects and such the like, to
work with. This allows them to pay for high end visual effects, celebrity
actors and actresses etc. The films shown at a multiplex are often made in a
similar style which reduces the choice in the type of film available to the
audience.
General
audiences at a multiplex however, may not feel that this narrows their choice
in film as they have often not been as exposed to the alternative types of film
that are not shown at the multiplex. As film students, it is easy to criticise
narrow choice of film offered at the multiplex cinema, due to our assumed viewing
of a wider range of films. However, the masses that have been exposed to the
mainstream film industry at the multiplex would not question the choice in
range of films and would be contented with the choice of genre offered.
Due to
the studios need to make a large profit from their films, they need to make and
distribute films that are commercially viable. This means that the films that
are rented to the multiplex are often extremely defined in a genre and have and
extremely defined audience, for example, families or children, romance fans,
fans of an acclaimed performer or director etc. For example, the films that are
being shown at the local multiplexes at the moment can all be identified with a
specific target audience, Pirates In and Adventure with Scientists; family
audiences, Battleship; action fans and stereotypically a male audience, fans of
Rihanna and Liam Neeson, and The Hunger Game; people who have read the popular
books. Arguably this means that a wider choice is available to audiences, as
they are all catered for with different genres. However, often films which have
a more complex appeal, an appeal that is appreciated only once viewed, or one
that is difficult to advertise to a specific audience, is less likely to be
rented to the multiplex cinemas, as they will struggle to find an immediate
audience. Therefore, the choice at the multiplex is reduced as they do offer a
number of films, however, which are simplistic in their appeal and target
audience. In addition to this, in trying to remain commercially viable, by
steering close to a genre and reliable target audience, many of the films
offered at a multiplex can become repetitive in their themes, and idea, further
reducing the choice of film, in their attempt to cater for the different
audiences.
relation to the Multiplex and what is offered to audiences. Refer to examples
in your answer. 777 words
Arguably
the large number of screens a multiplex allows them to show a range of
different genres of film, suitable to a variety of different audiences.
However, in many ways, there is less choice of film offered to audiences at the
multiplex due to the nature of the type of films that tend to be available.
Since the
development of 3D cinema, many multiplexes have begun focusing on showing 3D
films through which they can charge higher ticket prices and entice audiences.
However, generally these films are action packed with intense visual elements
and effects. Therefore, there is often less choice as these films dominate the
multiplex screens and others which have a different sort of appeal are less
available. Furthermore, action packed, 3D films are also available in 2D which
means that the same film takes up two of the screens, where another different
film could have been offered. Although they have the choice between 2D and 3D,
the choice of films is limited. For example, in the multiplex cinema that I use
frequently, this week there could have been four different films available in
the screens where the 3D versions of films are playing. Therefore the
audience’s choice is severely decreased by the option of either 3D or 2D.
However
the multiplex cinema does offer more choice in regards to showing times of
films. If a film is going to be very popular, the multiplex has the option of
showing the film in multiple screens which offers the audience more choice in
times. However, in such a case there will be a smaller choice in other films. The
number of screens means that there is literally a wider choice of films
available at a given time, however, the multiplex rents the film reels from
distributing companies, thus, most independent films are unable to be shown at
the multiplex. Therefore the multiplex cinema is limited in what it has to
offer audiences as films that are financed by studios which are often very
commercial. Studio financing is usually much greater than independent financing
and therefore the films that are typically shown at a multiplex have big
budgets attached and have had the studio sets, effects and such the like, to
work with. This allows them to pay for high end visual effects, celebrity
actors and actresses etc. The films shown at a multiplex are often made in a
similar style which reduces the choice in the type of film available to the
audience.
General
audiences at a multiplex however, may not feel that this narrows their choice
in film as they have often not been as exposed to the alternative types of film
that are not shown at the multiplex. As film students, it is easy to criticise
narrow choice of film offered at the multiplex cinema, due to our assumed viewing
of a wider range of films. However, the masses that have been exposed to the
mainstream film industry at the multiplex would not question the choice in
range of films and would be contented with the choice of genre offered.
Due to
the studios need to make a large profit from their films, they need to make and
distribute films that are commercially viable. This means that the films that
are rented to the multiplex are often extremely defined in a genre and have and
extremely defined audience, for example, families or children, romance fans,
fans of an acclaimed performer or director etc. For example, the films that are
being shown at the local multiplexes at the moment can all be identified with a
specific target audience, Pirates In and Adventure with Scientists; family
audiences, Battleship; action fans and stereotypically a male audience, fans of
Rihanna and Liam Neeson, and The Hunger Game; people who have read the popular
books. Arguably this means that a wider choice is available to audiences, as
they are all catered for with different genres. However, often films which have
a more complex appeal, an appeal that is appreciated only once viewed, or one
that is difficult to advertise to a specific audience, is less likely to be
rented to the multiplex cinemas, as they will struggle to find an immediate
audience. Therefore, the choice at the multiplex is reduced as they do offer a
number of films, however, which are simplistic in their appeal and target
audience. In addition to this, in trying to remain commercially viable, by
steering close to a genre and reliable target audience, many of the films
offered at a multiplex can become repetitive in their themes, and idea, further
reducing the choice of film, in their attempt to cater for the different
audiences.
“More choice is less choice”. Discuss this view in
relation to the Multiplex and what is offered to audiences. Refer to examples
in your answer. 777 words
Arguably
the large number of screens a multiplex allows them to show a range of
different genres of film, suitable to a variety of different audiences.
However, in many ways, there is less choice of film offered to audiences at the
multiplex due to the nature of the type of films that tend to be available.
Since the
development of 3D cinema, many multiplexes have begun focusing on showing 3D
films through which they can charge higher ticket prices and entice audiences.
However, generally these films are action packed with intense visual elements
and effects. Therefore, there is often less choice as these films dominate the
multiplex screens and others which have a different sort of appeal are less
available. Furthermore, action packed, 3D films are also available in 2D which
means that the same film takes up two of the screens, where another different
film could have been offered. Although they have the choice between 2D and 3D,
the choice of films is limited. For example, in the multiplex cinema that I use
frequently, this week there could have been four different films available in
the screens where the 3D versions of films are playing. Therefore the
audience’s choice is severely decreased by the option of either 3D or 2D.
However
the multiplex cinema does offer more choice in regards to showing times of
films. If a film is going to be very popular, the multiplex has the option of
showing the film in multiple screens which offers the audience more choice in
times. However, in such a case there will be a smaller choice in other films. The
number of screens means that there is literally a wider choice of films
available at a given time, however, the multiplex rents the film reels from
distributing companies, thus, most independent films are unable to be shown at
the multiplex. Therefore the multiplex cinema is limited in what it has to
offer audiences as films that are financed by studios which are often very
commercial. Studio financing is usually much greater than independent financing
and therefore the films that are typically shown at a multiplex have big
budgets attached and have had the studio sets, effects and such the like, to
work with. This allows them to pay for high end visual effects, celebrity
actors and actresses etc. The films shown at a multiplex are often made in a
similar style which reduces the choice in the type of film available to the
audience.
General
audiences at a multiplex however, may not feel that this narrows their choice
in film as they have often not been as exposed to the alternative types of film
that are not shown at the multiplex. As film students, it is easy to criticise
narrow choice of film offered at the multiplex cinema, due to our assumed viewing
of a wider range of films. However, the masses that have been exposed to the
mainstream film industry at the multiplex would not question the choice in
range of films and would be contented with the choice of genre offered.
Due to
the studios need to make a large profit from their films, they need to make and
distribute films that are commercially viable. This means that the films that
are rented to the multiplex are often extremely defined in a genre and have and
extremely defined audience, for example, families or children, romance fans,
fans of an acclaimed performer or director etc. For example, the films that are
being shown at the local multiplexes at the moment can all be identified with a
specific target audience, Pirates In and Adventure with Scientists; family
audiences, Battleship; action fans and stereotypically a male audience, fans of
Rihanna and Liam Neeson, and The Hunger Game; people who have read the popular
books. Arguably this means that a wider choice is available to audiences, as
they are all catered for with different genres. However, often films which have
a more complex appeal, an appeal that is appreciated only once viewed, or one
that is difficult to advertise to a specific audience, is less likely to be
rented to the multiplex cinemas, as they will struggle to find an immediate
audience. Therefore, the choice at the multiplex is reduced as they do offer a
number of films, however, which are simplistic in their appeal and target
audience. In addition to this, in trying to remain commercially viable, by
steering close to a genre and reliable target audience, many of the films
offered at a multiplex can become repetitive in their themes, and idea, further
reducing the choice of film, in their attempt to cater for the different
audiences.
relation to the Multiplex and what is offered to audiences. Refer to examples
in your answer. 777 words
Arguably
the large number of screens a multiplex allows them to show a range of
different genres of film, suitable to a variety of different audiences.
However, in many ways, there is less choice of film offered to audiences at the
multiplex due to the nature of the type of films that tend to be available.
Since the
development of 3D cinema, many multiplexes have begun focusing on showing 3D
films through which they can charge higher ticket prices and entice audiences.
However, generally these films are action packed with intense visual elements
and effects. Therefore, there is often less choice as these films dominate the
multiplex screens and others which have a different sort of appeal are less
available. Furthermore, action packed, 3D films are also available in 2D which
means that the same film takes up two of the screens, where another different
film could have been offered. Although they have the choice between 2D and 3D,
the choice of films is limited. For example, in the multiplex cinema that I use
frequently, this week there could have been four different films available in
the screens where the 3D versions of films are playing. Therefore the
audience’s choice is severely decreased by the option of either 3D or 2D.
However
the multiplex cinema does offer more choice in regards to showing times of
films. If a film is going to be very popular, the multiplex has the option of
showing the film in multiple screens which offers the audience more choice in
times. However, in such a case there will be a smaller choice in other films. The
number of screens means that there is literally a wider choice of films
available at a given time, however, the multiplex rents the film reels from
distributing companies, thus, most independent films are unable to be shown at
the multiplex. Therefore the multiplex cinema is limited in what it has to
offer audiences as films that are financed by studios which are often very
commercial. Studio financing is usually much greater than independent financing
and therefore the films that are typically shown at a multiplex have big
budgets attached and have had the studio sets, effects and such the like, to
work with. This allows them to pay for high end visual effects, celebrity
actors and actresses etc. The films shown at a multiplex are often made in a
similar style which reduces the choice in the type of film available to the
audience.
General
audiences at a multiplex however, may not feel that this narrows their choice
in film as they have often not been as exposed to the alternative types of film
that are not shown at the multiplex. As film students, it is easy to criticise
narrow choice of film offered at the multiplex cinema, due to our assumed viewing
of a wider range of films. However, the masses that have been exposed to the
mainstream film industry at the multiplex would not question the choice in
range of films and would be contented with the choice of genre offered.
Due to
the studios need to make a large profit from their films, they need to make and
distribute films that are commercially viable. This means that the films that
are rented to the multiplex are often extremely defined in a genre and have and
extremely defined audience, for example, families or children, romance fans,
fans of an acclaimed performer or director etc. For example, the films that are
being shown at the local multiplexes at the moment can all be identified with a
specific target audience, Pirates In and Adventure with Scientists; family
audiences, Battleship; action fans and stereotypically a male audience, fans of
Rihanna and Liam Neeson, and The Hunger Game; people who have read the popular
books. Arguably this means that a wider choice is available to audiences, as
they are all catered for with different genres. However, often films which have
a more complex appeal, an appeal that is appreciated only once viewed, or one
that is difficult to advertise to a specific audience, is less likely to be
rented to the multiplex cinemas, as they will struggle to find an immediate
audience. Therefore, the choice at the multiplex is reduced as they do offer a
number of films, however, which are simplistic in their appeal and target
audience. In addition to this, in trying to remain commercially viable, by
steering close to a genre and reliable target audience, many of the films
offered at a multiplex can become repetitive in their themes, and idea, further
reducing the choice of film, in their attempt to cater for the different
audiences.
Monday 5 March 2012
The Hurtlocker vs.
Avatar 2010 Oscars
·
The Hurt locker was
directed by Katherine Bigelow, who was the first female winner of the best
director Oscar.
·
Avatar
was directed by James Cameron, who wrote The Terminator movies and wrote and
directed Titanic. This was his first film since Titanic.
·
The Hurtlocker budget
was $11,000,000. The Hurtlocker is a modern war film, which gives an intense and
realistic portrayal of the Iraq war, focusing on a group of elite soldiers
whose job is to disarm bombs I combat.
·
This
is in stark contrast to the Science fiction film Avatar which uses the most
modern special effects and CGI to create the world of Pandora, which is inhabited
by giant blue creatures, named avatars. The film’s budget was $237,000,000
The Hurtlocker 6 Won Oscars in the following categories
-
Best
Achievement in Directing
-
Best
Achievement in Film Editing
-
Best
Achievement in Sound Editing
-
Best
Achievement in Sound Mixing
-
Best Motion
Picture of the Year
-
Best Writing,
Original Screenplay
The Hurtlocker received 3 Oscar nominations for
-
Best
Achievement in Cinematography
-
Best
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
-
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Avatar won 3 Oscars in the categories
-
Best Achievement in Art Direction
-
Best Achievement in Cinematography
-
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Avatar received
5 Oscar nominations for
-
Best Achievement in Directing
-
Best Achievement in Film Editing
-
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
-
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
-
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
·
I think that one of the
main reasons for the Hurtlocker’s triumph at the 2010 Oscars was its relevant subject
matter. It is one of the first major war films based on our most recent and
highly controversial war. The film stayed close to the realities of war without
glamorising and bomb disposal had not previously been focused on in such a
major movie.
·
However
Avatar was preferred by a wider audience because it was visually effective and
compelling and the effects were state of the art. It incorporated many
narrative aspects.
·
The hurt lockers’
domestic total gross at was $17,017,811
·
Avatar’s domestic total gross was $749,766,139
It did not matter that Avatar did not do as well at the Oscars
as expected because it is the highest grossing movie of all time and has an
enormous fan base. It was a technological breakthrough film and the first movie
to develop 3D as we know it today.
Avatar 2010 Oscars
·
The Hurt locker was
directed by Katherine Bigelow, who was the first female winner of the best
director Oscar.
·
Avatar
was directed by James Cameron, who wrote The Terminator movies and wrote and
directed Titanic. This was his first film since Titanic.
·
The Hurtlocker budget
was $11,000,000. The Hurtlocker is a modern war film, which gives an intense and
realistic portrayal of the Iraq war, focusing on a group of elite soldiers
whose job is to disarm bombs I combat.
·
This
is in stark contrast to the Science fiction film Avatar which uses the most
modern special effects and CGI to create the world of Pandora, which is inhabited
by giant blue creatures, named avatars. The film’s budget was $237,000,000
The Hurtlocker 6 Won Oscars in the following categories
-
Best
Achievement in Directing
-
Best
Achievement in Film Editing
-
Best
Achievement in Sound Editing
-
Best
Achievement in Sound Mixing
-
Best Motion
Picture of the Year
-
Best Writing,
Original Screenplay
The Hurtlocker received 3 Oscar nominations for
-
Best
Achievement in Cinematography
-
Best
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
-
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Avatar won 3 Oscars in the categories
-
Best Achievement in Art Direction
-
Best Achievement in Cinematography
-
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Avatar received
5 Oscar nominations for
-
Best Achievement in Directing
-
Best Achievement in Film Editing
-
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
-
Best Achievement in Sound Editing
-
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
·
I think that one of the
main reasons for the Hurtlocker’s triumph at the 2010 Oscars was its relevant subject
matter. It is one of the first major war films based on our most recent and
highly controversial war. The film stayed close to the realities of war without
glamorising and bomb disposal had not previously been focused on in such a
major movie.
·
However
Avatar was preferred by a wider audience because it was visually effective and
compelling and the effects were state of the art. It incorporated many
narrative aspects.
·
The hurt lockers’
domestic total gross at was $17,017,811
·
Avatar’s domestic total gross was $749,766,139
It did not matter that Avatar did not do as well at the Oscars
as expected because it is the highest grossing movie of all time and has an
enormous fan base. It was a technological breakthrough film and the first movie
to develop 3D as we know it today.
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