FM2

1. FM2 Section A: Producers and Audiences

2. Section A: Producers and Audiences • This section of the exam will focus on the film industry and audience film consumption, looking at film finance, distribution and exhibition in US and UK cinema. • This is one of three sections to the unit FM2: British and American Film (the other 2 will be covered after half term). • The exam in May will be 2 hours 30 mins long therefore you should spend 50 minutes on each of the 3 sections

3. Section A: Exam Rubric • In this section there is a focus on the following aspects of film: • Film Pre-Production and Production • Film Marketing • Film Distribution • Film Exhibition • This section of the exam will feature 2 different questions that cover one of the above in some way. You only answer one question, • The exam tests your responses to stimulus material supplied in relation to some of the issues covered. • Your answer should be a mixture of your own knowledge and a response to the stimulus material.

4. The Exam Paper • On this paper there is a choice of 2 different questions and you have to answer two. This year’s paper will only feature 2 questions with only one having to be answered. • For the purpose of this timed assessment we are going to all answer the same question!

5. What the board say. • Students answer one question from two. • Each question will have three pieces of stimulus material which must be referred to in your answer. • The key focus of both question will be contemporary aspects of US and UK film form both the industry and audience perspectives. • The main emphasis will be on your knowledge, backed up by what the stimulus material says. They are not expecting you to know everything about the film industry! • The board suggest that students split up their knowledge into case studies….

6. Case Studies • Hollywood film production- budgets, type of product, production processes. • UK film production- as above. • Importance of genre and stars in US and UK industries. • Film marketing. • Film exhibition- cinema, DVD, online etc. • Non mainstream or independent cinema. There is likely to be some overlap. Before choosing a question have specific films, stars, genres, cinemas, websites etc in mind that you can refer to

7. Our film case studies • During the course of this topic we will be referring to lots of different films. However we will attempt to base our study on these two films. • Inception’ (2009)directed by Christopher Nolan is a big budget Hollywood studio action film with an A list star. • The King’s Speech’ (2010) directed By Tom Hopper is a small budget UK/European produced period drama.

8. Look at the paper. • The question requires you to read the source material. • As with all of these questions the instructions state that you should ‘use the resource material and your own knowledge…’ • What is the focus of the question? • What have you learnt/discussed that could you apply to this question. • What wider knowledge do you have of this issue. • What film examples can you refer to? • Read the stimulus material. • The examiner is not expecting you to know everything about the film issue, but they are hoping that you have some knowledge to answer at least one of the questions. • They also insist you refer to the stimulus material. Failure to do either will lose you considerable marks.

9. Introduction • Task 1: Brainstorm everything you know about the film industry. • Task 2: Your Film Consumption – fill in the film consumption questionnaire in the handbook.

10. What makes a great film? • The acting/performances • The plot/narrative • The direction • The design or look • The script • Other technical aspects • The marketing and promotion • Anything else? The budget perhaps? • Which of the above are essential to all ‘great films’?

11. Discussion What makes a great film? • Look at the two trailers for ‘The King’s Speech’ and ‘Inception’. • What makes them successful and interesting in their own right?

12. To Conclude….. • Film is a subjective medium. One person’s favourite film is another’s least favourite. • Films can be great and successful for lots of reasons. • Large budgets might guarantee a large ‘gross’ but do not guarantee a great film. • The plot and script are probably the two most important components for any ‘great film’. • The industry cannot always guarantee if a film is going to be a hit. Audiences are often unpredictable.