Dredd (2012) Essay Preparation

Judge Dredd Essay

Your next essay will look at why Dredd failed at the box office. As preperation you need to research the following "key facts" and create a film fact file. Wikipedia is a good starting point but I have also added the occasional link to a more detailed site.

Pre Production

Who were the films producer, distributor and and script writer? (try and find other films by these groups)

• Produced by: Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich
• Distributed by: Entertainment Film Distributors, Lionsgate

Who are Lionsgate (who owns them?)

• Owners: Mark Rachesky, Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns

Who are IM Global (who owns them?)

• Owners: Stuart Ford, Jonathan Deckter

Who are DNA films (who owns them and who partnered with them?)

• Owners: Duncan Kenworthy, Andrew Macdonald
• Partnered With: Fox Networks Group

How was the funding for DNA originally split?

• -

Why did they need to maintain their relationship with Fox Searchlight?

• -

When did Lionsgate announce their three picture deal with IM Global?

• Announced: During November 2010

Where did Carl Urban announce his role in Dredd?

• - 

Why migh this have helped attract the film's target audience

• - 

How much money did Dredd make from pre sales (this is people buying the right to show your film)?

• Money Made: $30 Million

How much did a distributer pay for the rights to show the film in the UK?

• - 

Where was the movie filmed?

• Filmed: Johannesburg, South Africa

Production

When was the 'lawgiver' gun built and designed?

• - 

During which other UK film was the 'slo mo' sequences designed?

• Slo Mo Sequences Designed During: Never Let Me Go

How did the film makers feel about making an 18 certificate film?

• 
  

How long did it take to film Dredd?

• Time Taken: 3 Years

Which camera was used to film Dredd?

• Camera's Used: RED MX, SI2K, Phantom Flex High-Speed Cameras

Why did they need to create new camera rigs?

• Needed New Camera Rigs Because: They Needed Close Up Shots Which Could Not Be Taken

Post production

What issue affected the films editing?

• Issues: Creative Disagreements Between Producers And Executives

Distribution and marketing

How many cinemas was Dredd released in and how many ONLY showed it in 3D?

• Film Released in: 2,506 Cinema's

How did producers begin promoting Dredd3D

• - 

What viral marketing campaign did the producers use for Dredd?

• Viral Marketing Campaign: The "Dredd Report" which featured a video commending the use of Slo-Mo and links to news of the film

The film premiered at Fantastic Fest, what is it and why would this appeal to the films target audience?

• Fantastic Fest: The largest genre film festival in the U.S., specializing in horror, sci-fi, and action.
• Why Would This Appeal: Because the Film and Comic Book genre is sci-fi and action. 

Which awards did the films marketing campaign win?

• Award: Golden Trailer Award for Best Thriller TV Spot

How much money did the film gross at the box office?

• Film Gross: $41 Million

What unusual step did the film's UK distributors take to ensure people watched in 3D?

• - 

What percentage of audiences are physically incapable of seeing a 3D image?

• - 

What % of light is lost in a 3D film?

• - 

Which film was Dredd unfortunate to be released after?

• Film: The Raid

In the UK which position in the DVD charts did Dredd occupy?

• - 

What might this show about the decision to allow only a 3D release

In the US which audience demographic was the largest?

• - 

How many units did Dredd sell on DVD/BluRay in the US?

• Units Sold: Approximately 650,000

How much money did this bring in?

• Money: $10 Million in North America

Your final task is to attempt the following essay and publish on your blog by the end of Tuesday September 30th.

1000 words

50 marks:

• 25 marks for argument
• 25 marks for evidence

Write about Dredd and a superhero blockbuster of your own choice.

Evidence includes:

• film type
• studios/ production company
• year
• box office figure
• marketing
• stars

Include:

Dredd

1. Pre-production: source material, stars, director, producers, budget

2. Production: Red x cameras, 3D, South Africa, cheap

3. Post-production: Marketing, distribtution (number of screens), length of cinema run

Then write about the same 3 elements for the film of your choice.

Other points to consider:

1. Dredd as a cult film
2. Dredd has an 18 certificate
3. Marvel films are usually 12A or PG13 (four quadrant pictures)
4. Superhero films are everywhere
5. Developments in CGI means this type of film can be made easily
6. Marvel (owned by Disney) owns Spiderman and all the Avengers characters
7. DC (Warner Bros. produce the DC films) owns Superman and Batman
8. Dredd was made to compete with US films
9. Problems with the character/ source material: can't see Dredd's face, very violent, a bleak dystopia
10. The film wasn't 'British' enough