Film 4

Institutional Research Part 2

Problems

One of FilmFour's biggest problems has been competing for cinema space with multinational film companies, whose films account for more than two thirds of UK box office takings. FilmFour blames the poor box office results on its lack of clout in the distribution market rather than the quality of its films. (BBC on Film Four Partner Search)

Film Four channel

Originally only subscribers could access the channel

The company wasn’t making enough money through subscriptions alone

Relaunched the channel in July 2006 as a freeview channel

Believed they could make more money through advertising

Has become the Uks largest free film channel available to 18 million homes

Supply and Demand

Why do you go to the cinema? What other options are available to you if you

want to see a film? What are the pros and cons of these options? So why do you still go to the cinema?!

Changing patterns of consumption

Young people are increasingly watch films on small screens using various models of DVD players

Cinema admissions in Britain fell by 4% in 2005 and US box-office by 9%

Trend towards home consumption began in the 1960s when studios realised they could use television to show films long after they had passed their sell-by date in the cinema

VHS to DVD

1970s VHS was introduced 1980s satellite was introduced DVDs have pushed VHS out of the home What are the advantages of DVD over VHS? What are some drawbacks for the studios?

Synergy

Massive corporations may be able to Publicise and advertise their films via their

own print, sound and visual media arms Put out associated books and music, again

from within their own organisation Show their films via their own various TV and

cinema outlets

Film Four and synergy

A major issue for FilmFour is that it does NOT own its own exhibition theatrical chain

What issues might this raise for FilmFour? Synergy was not always apparent at the

company as in 2003 Ali G went to Working Title!

New technologies and the cinema experience

New technologies have always added to the cinema experience

The size/quality of the spectacle have been enhanced

Also available in a standard DVD edition, the Blu-ray version of Slumdog Millionaire argues effectively for a conversion over onto the new format. The film looks sensation here, and this is coming from someone who saw the movie twice in theaters. The use of color that Boyle excels at is heightened here, the attention to detail and panoramic vistas recreated superbly within the 2.35:1, AVCX 1080p encode. Remember—Boyle utilized both 35mm stock and digital cameras to capture the action, so there will be a definite distinction between the two. The use of grain, the occasional muddiness and lack of clarity are artistic choices on the director's part (his accompanying commentary track assures us of same). Sonically, the Blu-ray comes with only one audio mix—an English-Hindi 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that engages all the channels without subjecting us to aural chaos. Indeed, the balance between dialogue and ambient elements is excellent, and the use of music and effects really elevate the overall immersive effect. While the film itself is subtitled out of necessity, there are optional SDH, French, and Spanish translations offered.

Slumdog – Blu ray

Boyle and Patel take the audience through the backstreets and countryside of India

Interviews with Beaufoy Deleted scenes Making-of Music video for ‘Bombay Liquid Dance’ Trailers Short film entitled ‘Manjha’