Monday, 13 March 2017

MEST1 Section B: A Field In England

1) Read the Media Magazine article on A Field In England in Issue 47 and write a 100 word summary of the article on your blog. You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive - click on MM47 and go to page 19.
This article provides insight into the film; it also explores its production release methods. It addresses the film as a 'low budget, black-and-white, art-house film.' It also touches briefly upon the auteur - Ben Wheatley. More importantly, the article explores the methods utilised in the release process of the film. The article explains how the film was simultaneously released on all platforms at the exact same time. As well as this, it delves into the depths of why this particular technique was used and how it was deemed as successful.

2) Read the following pages on the official website for A Field In England and write a one-sentence summary of each. Each page provides explanations of the unique release strategy that the institutions behind the film chose: 

Industrial Evolution: Producer Andy Starke on the music industry influences informing A Field In England’s release strategy.  

He talks about how he believes that very soon film will be directly accessible instantaneously to everyone. 

Screening/radical release: Commissioning Executive Anna Higgs on the groundbreaking release plans for A Field In England.

She talks about how Film4 has enabled the team to be released in this specific way.

Audience: Anna Higgs discusses where A Field In England sits within British cinema and how it will reach its intended audience for the film.

She says that she believes it gives more people access to the film quicker. Now everyone can watch it without having to wait for it to be released on DVD.

3) How was A Field In England’s release different to typical film releases?

A Field In England differed vastly in terms of its release in comparison to mainstream films. This was because they decided to release the film on all platforms at the exact same time. These platforms included cinema, video on demand, Blu-Ray, DVD, free broadcast TV etc. This is unconventional from the typical release methods that most films utilise. This is because generally, film teams prefer to release films gradually. First releasing them to be shown in cinemas and then, after a few months, to other platforms such as DVD. 


4) What are the advantages to releasing the film across all platforms on the same day?
This allows more people to access the film without being worried that its showings would end before they had a chance to watch it. Also, by releasing it all on one day, there is far more importance placed on that specific day. This contributes to the hype created around its release, therefore attracting far more viewers.

5) What are the disadvantages to this approach?
Considering that so much importance is placed on one day, there is a higher risk of the flip being unsuccessful in its advertising because of the single chance given to advertising it.

6) What target audience would A Field In England be aimed at? Demographics and Psychographics.
According to Young and Rubicam's theory, reformers see enlightenment, valuing their own independent judgement. This group is likely to be attracted to this film because it strays from mainstream content and provides a sense of culture. Moreover, succeeders are also likely to find this film appealing because can afford to go to an arthouse cinema. The age bracket would most likely range between 28-40 year olds.

7) Do you think all films in future will be released across all platforms simultaneously in future? Why? What role will technology play in film distribution?
I disagree, I believe that films with a high level of success appear to use more traditional release methods. However, I am aware that by general consensus, the majority of our popularity prefer using hand held devices to watch content rather than going to cinemas or even watching television. 
    Extension work: read the rest of the official website's digital masterclass – there is a huge amount of information about the film from initial idea and financing to filming, editing and release.

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