IN THE UK FILM MARKET, AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SCREENS AVAILABLE TO SHOW FILMS HAS NOT LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FILMS BEING SHOWN. WHY?
Though there has been a recent increase in the number of cinema screens in the UK, there has not been an increase in the number of films being shown because films still take the same amount of time and cost in production. It is also very competitive for films to get screen space in cinemas unless they are major Hollywood movies, such as the likes of Skyfall, Avatar or Harry Potter. In a cinema where there are 10 screens, at least half of these will be showing one major blockbuster film, making it very hard for smaller British films to even get shown.
WHAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT CINEMA ATTENDANCES HAVE FLUCTUATED BEWEEN 139 AND 176 MILLION BETWEEN 1999 AND 2008?
Admissions for films have fluctuated between years since 1999. Looking at what films were released in years such as 2002 which had extremely high admissions.
IN 2001, UK FILM DISTRIBUTORS INVESTED £330 MILLION IN ADVERTISING THEIR NEW RELEASES AND ON 35MM FILM PRINTS. IF AROUND 450 NEW FILMS RECEIVE A THEATRICAL RELEASE IN THE UK EVERY YEAR. HOW MUCH ON AVERAGE DO DISTRIBUTORS SPEND ON DISTRIBUTING A FILM IN THE UK?
£733,333.33
WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF ALL THE EXCITEMENT GENERATED AND CONSUMER DEMAND FOR FILM PRODUCERS IN THE UK?
It means that small independent UK companies will find it very hard to produce a film because of cost issues, and then even if they do get their film into cinemas it is most likely competing for attention with at least one major Hollywood film, i.e a film you can classify as an 'event'.
IN 2004 THE OVERALL AVERAGE COST OF PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION PER FILM OF RELEASING A US FILM DOMESTICALLY WAS $102.8M. WHAT EFFECT MIGHT THIS HAVE ON HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION IF THESE INCREASES HAVE CONTINUED?
The cost of making any film now, even a very low budget film, is that production and distribution will cost at least £1 million. Therefore independent UK producers trying to make low budget films will find it very difficult to launch a film, and even if they can then their distribution outlets will by limited due to cost.
WHY ARE MORE 'MIDDLE AGED' PEOPLE GOING TO THE CINEMA IN 2011? WHO IN YOUR OPINION ARE THE CURRENT MOST BANKABLE LEADING ACTORS FOR THE 'YOUTH' MARKET IN THE UK?
In recent years the number of 14-24 year olds going to the cinema has decreased, where as the number of 25-39 year olds going has considerably increased. This is partly due to the types of films being made which are attracting older audiences and cast older, more established and experienced actors and actresses. It is also partly due to the increase in film piracy across the globe, many young people are more often illegally streaming films off the internet rather than going to the cinema to watch films. This is more common in younger people because they generally have less money and so are less willing to buy a cinema ticket when it is free for them to stream films from the internet, where as 25-39 year olds in general are more concerned about the quality of the film and are more likely to be earning money so would rather go to the cinema.
In my opinion the current most bankable leading actors for the 'youth' market are actors such as Will Smith or Johnny Depp who are in major Hollywood movies. Most of these actors and actresses who attract young people to the cinema are based in the US, however there are also a few British actors such as Daniel Craig, mostly due to his role as James Bond in the major Bond franchise, who also attract young audiences to watch films simply because they are part of the cast.
HOW MANY OF THE TOP 10 FILMS IN THE US LAST YEAR MADE THE STUDIOS A PROFIT?
7 out of the top 10 made a profit for the studios.
IS JERRY BRUCKHEIMER STILL A 'HIGH CONCEPT' PRODUCER? DOES MICHAEL BAY DESERVE HIS REPUTATION FOR FILMS THAT ARE HIGH ON EFFECTS AND LOW ON NARRATIVE?
Jerry Bruckheimer still seems to be a fairly 'high concept' film producer as he is still producing films such as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series. Michael Bay has a reputation which says that he produces films with high effects, this is true as he has produced films like 'Transformers'. However, whether the films also have low and poor narrative is a matter of opinion, personally I believe that the films do lack a strong narrative and therefore are less good because of it.
WHO ARE THE 'INDIEWOOD' TYPE FILMS OF MAJOR HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS AIMED AT?
The film companies Paramount Vantage, Fox Searchlight, Sony Pictures Classics and Focus Features in recent years have started to produce many more 'Indiewood' style films. Fox Searchlight in particular has recently produced the film 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', this film was aimed at a middle-aged audience due to its storyline and cast of very well established, older, British actors. However 'Martha Macy May Marlene' is a film aimed at a younger generation. There is a range of new, low budget, 'Indiewood' films that are becoming increasingly popular over the past few years.
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