Arthouse Film Institution Research

Production: Independent film studios

Boyhood (2014):

• IFC Productions
• Detour Filmproduction
• IFC Productions has many successful arthouse films. They recently released 'The Emperor's New Clothes' staring Russell Brand which is a political film and also a romantic comedy 'Sleeping with other people' which got an official selection by Sundance Film Festival.
• Detour Filmproductions have produced films such as 'School of Rock' and 'Before Sunset'.

It Follows (2014):

• Northern Lights Films (presents)
• Animal Kingdom (production)
• Two Flints (in association with)
• Animal Kingdom's previous success is 'Short Term 12' released in 2013 which grossed over £1m in gross with a budget of only £50k. The company is also producing 'Louder Than Bombs' which is to be released in 2016.

Borrowed Time (2012):

• Parkville Pictures
• Film London
• BBC Films
• Film London worked on films such as the successful 'The Iron Lady' and Parkville Pictures production company worked on several unrecognised Art house films

Whiplash (2014):

• Bold Films
• Blumhouse Productions
• Right of Ways Films
• Blumhouse Productions has a history of making succesful art house films with some of them having several sequels such as Paranormal Activity, Ouija, Sinister and The Purge.

Distribution: Independent film distributors

Source: Guide for the UK Distributors' Association

• SCENE 1/ INTRODUCTION: Films are made to inspire, to convey strong emotions and to express what people want to say and the best way to view them is in a cinema with a large audience.
• SCENE 2 LORD PUTTNAM ON THE ROLE OF DISTRIBUTORS: Distributors job is to deliver the largest audience possible for a film. Tailor-made, audience focused distribution focuses on all aspects of a particular film and tries to reach people that are appropriate for the film. Also the end of 35mm film has changed the way in audiences are found because digital film making is different in style. Audiences still choose to go to a cinema to watch a film because of the immersive experience.
• SCENE 3/ SO WHAT EXACTLY DO DISTRIBUTORS DO?: In order to reach the right audiences, distributors have to identify the films, consider why people will see a particular film, estimate the revenue, persuade theatres to screen the film and also work with advertisers to reach mass audiences.
• SCENE 4/ WHO ARE THE DISTRIBUTORS?: There are 6 major film distributors for Holywood films and several independent ones which focus on Art-house films. (Viewed here)
• SCENE 5/ HOW DO DISTRIBUTORS GET THEIR FILMS?: Distributors get their films from : 3rd party companies, parent studios, production companies or from a single title acquired at any stage. Many times the rights to film distribution will sold off to the actual distributor so they can generate thier own income rather than relying on the studio to fund them. An example of this Harry Potter which its rights belong to Warner Bros Distribution and they're responsible for the marketing and products of the film. An independent distributor will market the film on a lower scale such as film festivals and online. 
• SCENE 6/ MAKING A DISTRIBUTION DEAL: Distributors sign a formal contract with the producer, sales agent or studio, specifying the rights they hold to the title and also they regions they can distribute in.
• SCENE 7/ PLANNING THE RELEASE: Once both parties reach an agreement and sign all the necessary contracts the distributors will work closely with the production team to make sure they reach the right marketing strategies. They prepare all the plans needed while working with the script of the film and applying their work to the genre and storyline of the film.
• SCENE 8/ WHAT, WHEN, WHO, HOW?: Then the distributor will do research about how relate-able the genre is to audiences and will ask questions like 'Who is this film for?' In addition this they will find out how much profit they film is likely to earn because of course their goal is to make a profit.
• SCENE 9/ FILM MARKETING: "Marketing needs to lead a horse to water and also persuade it to drink." - Marketing can be done online, on publication or digitally/ socially, eg: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Marketing is always about visibility and about getting the best billboard placement and the amount of views a trailer gets.
• SCENE 10/ LICENSING FILMS TO EXHIBITORS: This basically legally covers the film in terms of where it can be shown. Examples of exhibitors are: Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, Independent Cinemas, Film4, BBC Films, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and just generally TV or streaming services.

Distributors of the films I've researched and additional information:

Boyhood (2014):

• Distributor: Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2014) (UK) (theatrical)
• Budget
• $4,000,000 (estimated)
• Opening Weekend
• $1,992,448 (USA) (19 December 2014) (771 Screens)
• $387,618 (USA) (13 July 2014) (5 Screens)
• HUF 3,514,450 (Hungary) (21 September 2014)

It Follows (2014):

• Distributor: Icon Film Distribution (2014) (UK) (theatrical)

• Budget

• $2,000,000 (estimated)

• Opening Weekend

• $160,089 (USA) (15 March 2015) (4 Screens)

Borrowed Time (2012):

• Distributors: Kickstarter, BBC Films, BFI Distribution Fund.
• Budget
• £120,000
• Box Office: 
• £7,245

Whiplash (2014):

• Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing (2015) (UK) (theatrical)
• Budget:
•  $3,300,000 (estimated) 
• Opening Weekend:
•  $135,388 (USA) (10 October 2014) (2000+ Screens)
• Gross:
•  $13,092,000 (USA) (27 March 2015)

Curzon Artificial Eye Research

Curzon is a UK Distributor of art-house films and has 11 cinemas nationwide. They also launched a new product called Curzon Home Cinema which allows people to watch Art-house films on their release date at home for small fee. They have distributed films such as 'The Class' and 'The White Ribbon'.

One thing I want to take away from this trailer is the incredible colour grading done in post production. It really changes the way we view the film because the saturation of the colours and the contrast between light and dark really explains the emotions that the character is feeling along with the music and voice-over. The grading is spot on and focuses on the landscape of the scene but is not over done which is something I aim to do in my production.

This clip really inspired me because I have the technical ability but not written and therefore will rely on other people to write a story that I can work with and this clip displays how a story can be told without any dialogue and just by presenting the perspective of the photographer while he overlooks the African tribe when they do their rituals and cook their food. I find this inspiring as it is so powerful yet no word is said. The cinematography has a range of wide and tight shots while the music plays in the background and the whole atmosphere just feels right which is something I hope to explore in my own production.

This film is explicit and throughout it the theme of colours and lighting is red  and yellow. The lighting is quite unusual for a club scenario as you'd expect there to be a range of neon lights flashing everywhere but this scene is shot beautifully as the lighting creates a silhouette of the characters but shows enough highlights for us to recognise the characters. Films that are well lit such as this one bring an emotional connection with the characters and the audience and I want to have a range of colours which make sense in my film that apply to certain locations.

Exhibition: Arthouse Cinemas:

1)Electric Cinema, located at: 191 Portobelo Rd, London, W11 2ED
2)This cinema shows mainly Arthouse films with the exception of some films if they are highly anticipated or are directed by a highly rated Director such as Spielberg. 
Some of the films they are currently showing are: Carol, Black Mass, Bridge of Spies, The Dressmaker and Brooklyn.
Electric's Cinema programmes differ completely from mainstream exhibitors because they are very thoughtful with the films they screen  to their audiences. By the looks of it they usually just screen once of twice a day in the evening which makes sense as the demographic for the cinema is middle class working people therefore it makes sense for it to be late. However an exception is make for Star Wars as it screens 3 times a day after its release date which is something the distributors and exhibitor must have agreed on as its the movie of the year and has already sold out on most days.
3)The Electric Cinema's website is very modern and has a black and white colour scheme which is oppositional to Vue's website which is colourful and appeals to a younger audience unlike Electric's which appeals to adults and middle/upper class working people. From my own experience attending the cinema I can say it is rather luxurious and therefore I can easily say their target audience is 25-60 year olds.


A case study in independent film production: Film London and Microwave Film:

1) What is Film London and why does it exist?
Film London is a media and film agency which helps to promote and develop films which are filmed in London. It is a non profit organisation which is supported by the BFI and the Mayor of London. It's aim is to help filmmakers with all sorts of budgets to achieve their films. They are experts in location scouting and organising a film shoot. Their website is a great resource for filmmakers who need to find contacts from different industries. It exists so that London film making can be managed easily and become a collabrotive process with people of different backgrounds.

2) What is the purpose of Microwave Film?

Microwave scheme allows first time film makers to receive a micro-budget of £150,000 for a chance to have a feature film with a  theatrical release  and distribution budget. It's for film makers who have experience with film already and that have a production team established. One of the films they have helped to produced is 'Borrowed Time' which I have analysed and wrote about previously.

3) What is the London Calling project for Film London and how does it encourage independent filmmaking?

London Calling provides a low budget for filmmakers in London Boroughs. 15 short films with a maximum of £4000. And for filmmakers with more experience the 'London Calling Plus' offers £15,000 for 5 short films.

I think this is great as it encourages young film makers to start projects with a budget and get real world experience. This is something I'd definitely would want to do myself in the next 3 years.

4)

This film fits to be an art-house flm because all the characters are adults firstly so it fits in with an adult audience demographic. Secondly the protagonist is homosexual and this is considered a strong topic to present in a film and therefore the older generation shall take this storyline more seriously and take more understanding then supposedly a younger audience. Also the story is about recovery and therefore this subject is also relate-able. The main point is that the film is purely dialogue driven therefore it makes sense for an art-house film.
Target Audience it might attract: 25-45

This film has an adult like approach to story telling and highlights the life of 20-30 year olds which is the age where adults would become more mature and stop doing exciting things- this film explores the fun that people can have together but also has a storyline about a relationship therefore it would attract a female audience more as that's what women usually want to see - romance/drama.
Target Audience it might attract: 27-37

This is an arthouse film which appeals to a younger audience. I would say somewhere around 13+ which is not the typical audience for an arthouse film. The film focuses on achievement and how to get there.
Target Audience it might attract: 13-25


Top Tips for Film Production

1. Representation behind the camera is just as important as in front of the camera - Make representation apply to the real world and not over exaggerate unless it's really needed.
2. Don't over complicate the story-line on a micro budget film. Instead focus on individuals or deepen the actual meaning instead of having multiple events happening at once.
3. Focus on 'Is this film important and what message is it trying to deliver to the audience' before doing anything else.