CASE STUDY: CRIMINAL MINDS
Throughout the Christmas Holidays Criminal Minds is one of the main TV shows I've been engaged in. Its an American crime drama, which premiered on the network CBS September 22nd 2005. One of the main reasons why I enjoy this show is because it differs from other crime dramas, by focusing on profiling the criminal (psychologically), rather than the crime itself. The series follows a team of profilers from the Behavioral Analysis Unit which is part of the FBI. The show was created by Jeff Davis and produced by The Mark Gordon Company in association with CBS Television Studios.Criminal minds is shown here in the UK on t 'Skyliving,' channel. The programme is aired at different times during the day which could be from 1pm- onwards where they play back-to-back episodes, or at night usually from 10pm.
Criminal Minds
Criminal minds did have a spin off; Criminal minds: suspect behaviour which debuted February 16th 2011, but due to low ratings the spin off was then cancelled after 13 episodes. However on March 14, 2012 CBS renewed the original Criminal Mind for an eighth season, which premiered September 26th, 2012.
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour
Common shots used in Criminal Minds include, high angle, birds eye or mid shots these shots are usually used to introduce the location/setting. Even though the main set is based in Virginia USA, being a crime drama locations vary throughout each episode, from country to country. The movement of the camera over looks the location, as it does the opening credit which states the name of the location appears at the bottom of the screen, this usually takes place within the first 2mins of the show.
Here are some examples watch from 0:00-1:00
1st example
2nd example
3rd example
Non diegetic sound is used with the opening credits/title, the soundtrack used embodies the tension which reflects how the audience would feel watching this programme.
Sound is an important part of the narrative, as it helps tell the story; the use of non diegetic sound helps maintain the pace of the show it also helps the audience identify what's going on, for example when a crime is taking place, the pace & rhythm of the music may increase. However the diegetic/ambient sound used helps the audience understand the narrative and location, e.g city, (street sounds), as well as the dialogue. The dialogue and communication between the characters is vital as it's the key way for the viewer to get an understanding of what's going on and the relationship with characters within the team.
The camera shots and editing used also helps the establish the relationship with others, and the intensity of certain situations that take place. Fast cutting, jump cuts and cross cutting are used to portray tension/danger or to create suspicion. A lot of continuity is used to help the flow of the show, the audience get a clear understanding of what's happening. Medium shots and Close ups are used usually with long shots which is done to show the emotion and actions of a particular character. To build apprehension and to position the audience into feeling uncomfortable steadicam is used a lot in Criminal Minds especially when a crime is taking place, this is done to avoid having to cut to another scene. However hand held cams is also used to maintain the realism within the show, which makes it's it more entertaining.
The lighting in Criminal Minds is used creatively colours such as, black, blue and brown are used to represent the police work force, also both high key and low key lighting are used. High key lighting is usually appears when a crime has been solved, whereas low key lighting is often used to encode suspense. Smart/casual clothing is usually worn by the BAU, usually the clothes are plain dark colours to emphasise the specialist nature of their work. Each of the characters carry around a F.B.I badge and gun; occasionally they'll wear F.B.I vest when going to catch a criminal. The props used in the show are considered important, as they represent the genre and gives the audience a clear understanding. Throughout the series of Criminal Minds there'll be objects/props such as; guns, badges, crime scene tape, police cars, flash lights, jail cell, computer technology which is mainly used to help profile suspects.
The filming takes place in Los Angeles, California. Production companies behind it are, The Mark Gordon Company, ABC Studios and CBS Television studios. So far Criminal Minds has lasted 8 seasons and has 173 episodes.
American Ratings
| Season | Episodes | Timeslot (EST) | Original Airing | Rank | Viewers (in millions) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | Season finale | TV season | |||||
| 1 | 22 | Wednesday 9:00 pm | September 22, 2005 | May 10, 2006 | 2005–06 | No. 28 | 12.63[39] |
| 2 | 23 | September 20, 2006 | May 16, 2007 | 2006–07 | No. 24 | 14.05[40] | |
| 3 | 20 | September 26, 2007 | May 21, 2008 | 2007–08 | No. 24 | 12.78[41] | |
| 4 | 26 | September 24, 2008 | May 20, 2009 | 2008–09 | No. 11 | 14.95[42] | |
| 5 | 23 | September 23, 2009 | May 26, 2010 | 2009–10 | No. 16 | 13.70[43] | |
| 6 | 24 | September 22, 2010 | May 18, 2011 | 2010–11 | No. 10 | 14.11[44] | |
| 7 | 24 | September 21, 2011 | May 16, 2012 | 2011–12 | No. 15 | 13.20[45] | |
| 8 | 24 | September 26, 2012 | TBA 2013 | 2012–13 | No. 12 | 13.18 (to date)[46] | |
\
FILM REVIEWS
TAKEN
Taken is a French - action thriller. It is based on a former CIA agent Bryan Mills whose teenage daughter Kim goes away on a trip to Paris with an older friend. Bryan doesn't agree with her and her friend Amanda travelling by themselves, since he knows the danger they can get into out there on their own. However he agrees with her mum to let her go, before she leaves he gives her a mobile phone that can work internationally.
As the girls arrive at the airport they meey a guy, who offers to share a cab with them due to that decision he finds out where the girls are staying; Kim then finds out that Amanda's cousins who were meant to be keeping an eye on them are actually in Spain. Whilst Kim is on the phone to her father, she sees Amanda being kidnapped by intruders.
Bryna instructs Kim to go the nearest room and hide underneath a bed, he also explains to her that the men are going to take her, and gets her to quickly describe them; she's then pulled from under the bed. Bryan had recorded the conversation between him and Kim, he goes to a former colleague who tells him that based on the recording she's been taken by an Albanian human trafficking ring. Bryan then travels to Paris in order to find Kim and Amanda...futheron in the film he finds Amanda dead and finds Kim at a large party for an auction of girls, Kim is the last offer and he manages to save her.
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
Click here to view Napoleon Dynamite Trailer.
Napoleon Dynamite is a comedy film, it's about a teenage boy Napoleon Dynamite a high school student who lives with his older brother Kip and their grandmother. His grandmother lives a a secret life involving riding quad-bikes in the desert, and having mysterious boyfriends; Napoleon's older brother whose 32 is unemployed and also boasts and teases Napoleon that he gets to stay home all day and meet girls on the internet, and training to be come a cage fighter.
Napoleon isn't the most popular in his high school, throughout school he daydreams all day about fantasy creature and spends his time drawing them; he also has to deal with bullies daily. He usually makes up stories about himself to make himself seem more interesting, also to make himself appear dangerous he responds to being questioned with unprovoked anger.
Napoleon and Kip's uncle Rico comes to look after them after their grandmother injures herself guad-biking and doesn't trust them to look after themselves. Uncle Rico is a middle-aged former athlete, him and Kip decide to come up with a scheme to make money quickly, by selling different items door-to-door. Kip wants to use the money in order to meet his internet girlfriend, whereas Rico wants to use the money to help him get over failing his dreams and to win his ex girlfriend back.
FILM INDUSTRY: Film & You
The following questions were based on what I thought on the advert above. The first question I was asked was who did I think the product was aimed at; in my opinion I believe that the product is aimed a particularly adults, young adults to be exact. This is because Polo isn't really a family car, so I think it's ideal for young drivers.
For the third advertisement, I didn't elaborate on who I thought the product was aimed at. Since the message of the advert emphasises that the drink consists of the 'finest' fruit, that it would mainly be aimed at women, since they usually take more interest in healthy products; however I also think that it may be targeted at families.
With this question, I had to pick each company and put them into categories 'Want,' 'Need,' and 'Both.'
With this particular task I had to write a letter explaining how a company could possibly improve their marketing campaign involving cereal 'Krispos.' I explained whom I thought would be the best target audience, for the product and my reasoning. Also in the letter I gave advice on how they could engage and attract this particular audience through advertising, and what kind of advertising techniques may be suitable not only for the brand, but the best one that'll attract their audience.
Here is an example of how marketing works within a film industry.
FILM INDUSTRY: Production
This task concentrated on the production/producing aspects of film making, from the costs and budgets; and the different influences that may be based on a film.
The task above involved me having to create my own film from scratch without going over my budget, I had to decide what genre my film was going to be, and what it was going to be about. I then had to decide on a screen write and director both whom have had to have experience within a similar genre; considering my budget I then had to decide on the main female and male actors, which is one of the most important decisions, after reading their briefs I chose the best ones that'll fit the genre and appeal to my target audience. Once that was done I chose the kind on music I want for my soundtrack, and the different types of advertisements I thought would be an advantage for my film.
Film4 Productions: Seven Psychopaths
Info: It was released in the United States and Canada 12th October 2012, and it was released in the UK 7th December 2012.
Director: Martin McDonagh
Producer: Martin McDonagh
Graham Broadbent
Screenwriter: Martin McDonagh
Distriubution: Momentum (UK) and CBS Films (US)
Plot: A struggling writer who has dreams of finishing off his screenplay, seven psychopaths; his friend is an unemployed actor. his friends Billy and Han help him find inspiration for his play, by putting up an advertisement by inviting psychopaths to come and share their stories.
McDonagh:
- Was born in Camberwell London, to Irish parents; he grew up with his brother John who's also a writer-director. Martin writes both films and plays, but prefers film writing, "It's not that I don't respect theatre. I'm intelligent enough to know that a play can completely inspire a person as much as a film (but) theatre isn't something that's connected to me, from a personal point of view, I can't appreciate what I'm doing."
- McDonagh wrote and directed his first full-length feature, In Bruges (2008), which he recieved a BAFTA Awards for original screenplay.
He's produced a number of successful films such as; 'Marigold Hotel (nominated), 'Brudges,' which was also a Film 4 production and 'Becoming Jane' (won 2 awards including People's choice).
Inspiration:
- McDonagh's previous film Six Shooter, which was successful and is almost like a sequel to Seven Psychopaths.
- Personal inspiration as the plot is based on a screen writer in his early years, and the main actor is played by Collin Farrell, whose also Irish.
Martin McDonagh
Graham Broadbent
FILM INDUSTRY: Distribution
FILM INDUSTRY: Distribution
Prints and advertising
· Distributors decides on the marketing strategy, after deciding on their target audience and USP
· They determine how much to spend on advertising, publicity, and on actual prints of the film to send to cinemas
· They have to predict how much they think the film will make at the box office, before they decide on how much to spend
-they compare their film with others that are similar and have already been release
-if the film features stars then a similar exercise is carried out
-they see how similar films are fared in the marketplace
-the film can be released in many big cinemas if it has a wide appeal, or if the audience isn’t as large, then the film may have a limited release.
Promotions
-they compare their film with others that are similar and have already been release
-if the film features stars then a similar exercise is carried out
-they see how similar films are fared in the marketplace
-the film can be released in many big cinemas if it has a wide appeal, or if the audience isn’t as large, then the film may have a limited release.
Promotions
Promotions and Merchandise
· It has become important in film marketing
· Promotions and merchandising are both developed with the target audience in mind, they give added awareness of the film to the audience
· Cross promotions with ‘3rd parties’ help both the distributor as well as the company
· Usually films aimed at a younger market offer opportunities to the distributor to produce merchandises.
Publicity
Advertising
Advertising is paid for the distribution companies have budgets to spend on the film title. The largest spend of any P and A (PRINTS & ADVERTISING). The budget will be on buying media space for the film; the main advertising avenues open to any distributor are:
· Trailers
· Posters
· TV, Press and Radio advertising
· Merchandise
· Website
· Outdoor (billboards, buses)
FILM INDUSTRY: Distribution: Marketing
Websites become more of an important part of a films marketing strategy; a distributor may create a specific/official website for a film as well as having a site which will display all of the films that are soon to be released by the distributor; to make the website successful it has to reflect the overall image of the film.
The opening weekend
Everything can depend on a film's opening weekend, once the film has opened in cinemas there is no possiblity of completely changing the film or marketing campaign if the audience aren't coming to view it. The 1st weekend that a film plays in a cinema indicates where it will successful in the box office, usually a film will earn most of it's money during the weekend. However if the box office reception is poor, then the film may not recover and will be taken out the cinemas.
Timing the release
The film's release is a key element of the marketing campaign. Before releasing a film the distributor will carefully track their competitors' release schedule,this is done to make sure they both don't go head to head. Traditonally around summer and christmas, blockbuster films are released and children's are released during school holiday times.
Types of release
- 5% of films are released with over 500 prints, which is also accompanied by a large advertising spend
- Approx. £300 million was spent on advertising films, the majority of these films were blockbusters
- Most UK released films are launched on fewer than 50 prints which isn't supported by a large amounts of advertising.
Trailers
- Teaser trailers might start to appear in cinemas anything up to a year before the film is released.
-The full trailer will appear between 1 and 2 months before film is released
- TV Spots tend to be on screen a week or 2 before the opening of a film or just after the film has opened.
No comments:
Post a Comment