Cannes v Netflix Row

If you want to make your exam answer really up to date on Thursday, include this article: http://theday.co.uk/arts/cannes-film-festival-goes-to-war-with-netflix

Basically, it’s saying that the very famous Cannes Film Festival (on this week) is showing two Netflix films, but the Festival organisers have decided that from next year, only films that have been shown in actual cinemas will be eligible for the festival.

This means that Netflix will have to arrange for its films to be shown in the cinema, too, in order to enter the competition. There’s a huge debate amongst filmmakers about the advent of digital platforms, many of them believing that the ‘big screen’ cinema is the place where films are ‘meant’ to be shown.

What do you think? Is it ‘better’ for us as audiences to see films on the big screen, or are we happy to watch them at home on a device? Is it just as good an experience?

Netflix: shares up by 145%

If you'd invested in Netflix in 2015, you would have had a very happy New Year. The video streamer's value spiked by more than 145% last year, beating Facebook (up 34%) and Alphabet (Google - up by over 40%). For your examination purposes, this is a clear sign that audiences are changing the way they watch TV and film. Do most of us now have a Netflix subscription?

'Star Wars' facts and figures for your exam essays

'The Numbers' website provides all the stats you need. "The Force Awakens set the worldwide opening weekend box office record with $529 million, just ahead of Jurassic World’s mark of $525 million... Looking at the film’s individual international markets, the U.K. led the way with $50.73 million in 670 cheaters."

Other figures to quote: The budget for this film was $200M, as compared to £11M for the first Star Wars film in 1977.

'The Day' Online Newspaper for Schools features Star Wars

Another example about how 'Star Wars' is dominating the media on the day of the London premiere, plus some very helpful links for your case study:

http://theday.co.uk/arts/new-star-wars-premieres-as-fans-debate-meaning

Links 'The Day' gives to other articles about the marketing/branding of 'Star Wars':
http://www.bethinking.org/culture/feeling-the-force-star-wars-and-spiritual-truth
https://www.probe.org/the-worldview-of-star-wars/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/george-lucas-box-office-disney/
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/11/the-force-awakens-sales/417642/
http://www.wired.com/2013/02/star-wars-fx/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE

Case Study: Suffragette

Our newest case study for AS and A2 students for 2015/6 will be the film 'Suffragette'. See below for key information.

The film will receive its European premiere on Wednesday 7 October at the Odeon Leicester Square, attended by the filmmakers and stellar cast (including Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep), with a live cinecast from the red carpet and simultaneous screenings taking place at cinemas across the UK. See further information on the BFI Press Release at http://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-press-release-suffragette-opens-59th-bfi-london-film-festival-2015-06-03.pdf

Trailer:

The film stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw and Meryl Streep. It is directed by LFF alumna Sarah Gavron, who returns to the Festival for a third time, reteaming with her Brick Lane screenwriter Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady). Suffragette is produced by Faye Ward and Alison Owen (Saving Mr. Banks, LFF Closing Night film, 2013).

Digital Media Institution Revolution with Tidal?

Digital Revolution with Tidal?

In your exams, remember to mention the March 2015 launch of Tidal, which claims to put digital downloads back in control of artists. See Madonna's thoughts at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3020253/Tidal-not-greed-Madonna-insists-artist-owned-streaming-platform-protect-music.html

Oscars 2015

This year's Oscars was a platform for some political speeches. Patricia Arquette used her Oscars acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress to speak up for equal rights and pay for women:

"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America."

Earlier best actress nominee Reese Witherspoon had spoken on the red carpet about her #AskHerMore campaign, which encourages reporters to ask women about their creative work and not what dress they are wearing.

The star said: "There are so many amazing, talented nominees this year! Let's hear their stories! Spread the word."

Questions she said she would like to hear included: "What's the biggest risk you've taken that you feel has paid off?" and "What accomplishment are you most proud of?"