Sightseers Research Task

The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice

StudioCanal

What was StudioCanal's original purpose?

• The original function was to focus on French and European productions, but later made strategic deals with American production companies.

Which big 6 company has connections with StudioCanal?

• It has strong links to Universal Studios (StudioCanal and Universal Studios were owned by the same company between 2000 and 2004, hence StudioCanal co-produced a fair number of Universal's films).

How large is StudioCanal's film library?

• StudioCanal acquired film libraries from studios that either went defunct or had merged with it over the years. As a result, the company's library is the third-largest in the world.

The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production distribution and marketing


Big Talk Productions


What has been the total gross of ALL Big Talk Films?

• Shaun Of The Dead = $30,039,392
• Hot Fuzz = $80,736,656
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World = $47,664,560
• Paul = $98,000,000
• Attack The Block = $5,824,175
• Sightseers = $2,102,166
• The Worlds End = $46,000,000
• In Fear =
• Cuban Fury = £3,286,786

What type of film does Big Talk specialise in?

• Big Talk specialises in British Comedies

Who founded Big Talk?

• Big Talk was founded by Nira Park in 1995

Other films directed by Ben Wheatley:

• Kill List
• A Field in England
• Down Terrance
• The ABC’s of Death

Film4 Productions

Who owns Film4 Productions?

• Channel  Four Television Cooperation

When was it 're-established'?

• 2004

Which TV chanel is it connected to?

• Film 4

Bfi Film Fund

What is the purpose of the Bfi Film Fund?

• To support film development, production and distribution activity in the UK

What is its budget pa?

• $26,000,000

Rook Films

• Founded by Andy Stark and Ben Wetly

Where did the idea for the film come from?

• The stories based on their common background and childhood holiday experiences

How does the film qualify as 'British'?

• It was filmed in Britain (Lakes District), It used solely British actors, it made reference to British culture  “Report that to the National Trust!”  “He's not a person, he's a Daily Mail reader!”

Distribution (how many screens in the UK and how long was it at cinemas for?)

$8,377 (USA) (2 June 2013) (10 Screens)
$2,321 (USA) (26 May 2013) (2 Screens)
$8,101 (USA) (19 May 2013) (5 Screens)
$7,384 (USA) (12 May 2013) (2 Screens)
 

Films reception (how did critics receive the film? What is a BIFA and how many nominations and awards did the film receive?)

• British Independent Film Award for Best Screenplay
• Empire Award for Best British Film

Box Office (opening weekend, domestic and worldwide)

• $7,384 (USA) (10 May 2013)
  

The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences

 Which formats is the film available on?

• 2D HD
• DVD
• Blu-Ray

How was it released in the US? (formats and release pattern)

• Released on DVD

How was it marketed how did StudioCanal help?

• Very little marketing, due to films low budget

How was Twitter and Facebook used to market the film? 

• Created various accounts on the social media sites which wrote tweets/statuses behalf of the movie 

How was Stella Artois involved? What is a Stella Artois bursary?

• Sponsored the premiere of the film.