MEST1 Section B: Institution research

Current case studies: financial figures

Ill Manors: Funding and production budget

1. What was the estimated budget for Ill Manors? The total estimated budget was £100,000
2. Where did the money come from? List the different organisations and companies that contributed funding to Ill Manors. Ill Manors was funded by several companies and organisations including the Film London Microwave scheme, Plan B's 
3. How did the Ill Manors budget compare to a Hollywood blockbuster such as Skyfall? Firstly, they had a huge difference in their budget. Skyfall was roughly estimated to have a budget of $200 million whereas Ill Manors was a mere £100,000. This calculates to a £199900000 difference.

A Field In England: Funding and production budget

1. What was the estimated budget for A Field In England? It was estimated to be around £300,000
2. Why did A Field In England manage to secure a higher budget than Ill Manors?  They secured a higher budget because the direcot of A Field In England, Ben Wheatley was an established director whereas Ben Drew was a first-time film maker. Also, the year in which the films were released also had an impact on the budget. Ben Drew released Ill Manors, the financial market had just crashed, which reduced his budget significantly. 
3. Where did the money come from? The majority of their money came from Film4 

Film London and Microwave Film
Ill Manors was created partly thanks to Film London and Microwave Film. Revise the key details from your MEST2 research by answering the following questions:

1. What is Film London and why does it exist? Microwave film not only funds films but also is dedicated to offering full support and mentoring to assist shortlisted filmmaking teams.. As well as this, the provide production finance and offer distribution support to the commissioned work. This is all provided within their ‘microschool.’
2. What is the purpose of Microwave Film? To give many people a chance to achieve their dreams.
3. Choose one film funded by Microwave film and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences)   Lifting: This is a British drama. More specifically, a melodrama in which uses plots that appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience. Ill Manors is a British crime drama that presents themes such as ongoing political issues affecting the youth and their lives. All of these factors along with the social realism and indie feel indicate this is an arthouse film, unlike Ill Manors. Considering arthouse films are notorious of requiring a certain degree of knowledge to fully understand the depth of these kinds of films, we cannier that the target audience are farmer like to be older people. Therefore it has a niche target audience which resembles the small, niche audience Ill Manors has due to the specific themes. However, we can also argue there is difference in that the narrative subverts from conventional plots as it heavily focuses on the homosexual relationship between the lady's son and the main character. Ill Manors focuses on the liminal period of youth and adulthood, where they are surrounded and easily influenced by their environment and where creating any identity for themselves. This makes it easy for teenagers relate to the themes of this film. This differs to Lifting because they have an older audience.

Vertigo Films and Warp Films
Your BFI Study Day on UK cinema focused on two important production companies in the British film industry: Vertigo Films and Warp Films. Revise what you learned on the trip by answering the following questions:

1. What are the most successful films Vertigo Films has been involved in? The most successful, well-acknowledged film they have been involved with is Monsters.
2. Why do you think those films were successful with their audience? The film followed conventional narrative plots such as Todorov's theory of equilibrium.
3. What different film genres has Vertigo Films worked with? Action, Romance, comedy and action.
4. Where did Warp Films start out? They initially originated in Sheffield, England.
5. What are the most successful films produced by Warp Films? Four Lions and This is England are the most successful productions they have produced.
6. How have Warp Films helped to develop new talent in the film industry? They set up a film studio called 'X Warp' for people to use and possibly help individuals excel in the film industry. 
7. What titles have Vertigo and Warp Films produced that are similar to Ill Manors? Explain the similarities - it could be in terms of audience, location, content or genre. We could argue that Four Lions links to Ill Manors directly through casting choices. Both 'Four Lions' and 'Ill Manors' use the same actor as a prominent character in their films - Riz Ahmed.

Certification: BBFC

One final aspect of institution is the certificate a film is awarded for exhibition. This is decided by the British Board of Film Classification. Revise the key details regarding the BBFC from your MEST2 research by answering the following questions:

1. How does the certification process work at the BBFC? Film classification includes examiners watching submitted films whilst logging details of the content, which includes the general context, timings of key moments, bad language, drug references etc. Next, details of the issues are discussed and an argument in support of the recommended age rating is conducted. Finally, the film is awarded an age rating and BBFCinsight.
2. Think about the certificate of Ill Manors (18 certificate). What is deemed acceptable for an 18 certificate? What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate? From the website, they clearly state that a 15 certificate 'as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.' To elaborate on the specifics, citing to the official website, they firstly state that drug taking authorised but are obliged not promote or encourage drug misuse. They firmly state that menacing behaviour i.e suicide and self-harm should not reside on detail as they could cause similar behaviour. In terms of language, they do allow strong profanity but very strong language can be permitted depending on the circumstances of the context. Moreover, there are little to no restrictions of nudity in non-sexual academic context but otherwise they do not permit nudity with strong detail. This alludes to sex which is allowed to be shown but again, only if there is not a lot of strong detail.  There may be verbal references to sexual behaviour or acts, but the strongest references are improbable to be acceptable unless justified by context. In terms of violence, the BBFC allow acts of violence but directors must not dwell on the graphic gore of the infliction of injuries. The strongest bloodcurdling, gory images are unlikely to be accepted. In comparison, a 18 certificate 'should be free to choose their own entertainment.' However, there are some exceptions such as where the material is in 'breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.' 
3. Why was Ill Manors given an 18 certificate? How might this have affected the Ill Manors target audience and commercial success? Ill Manors was given an 18 rating because they explicitly presented several scenes displaying graphic content. This slims down their audience because those under 18 are not a suitable age to watch the film.
4. What was the certificate for A Field In England? Why was this certificate awarded? It was give a 15 age classification.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages for a film in being given an 18 certificate? Disadvantages include that there is a restriction in the viewers. Those under the age of 18 are unable to see the film which subsequently causes a decrease in the people the company can attract. Considering that the youth statistically use social media more, where they often hear about films, this is a huge drawback. However, it enabled the film team to focus on the more likely audience of their film. Considering the themes that transpire in the film, it is unlikely that under 18's would want to watch this kind of content. It is far more likely that the audience will be older, therefore enabling the team place more importance on the way they will attarct this specific age group.