Film Industry: Chicken case study research
Funding
1) What was the budget for Chicken?
£110,000
2) How did Joe Stephenson end up raising the money to make the film?
The budget for Chicken was micro budget which is significantly small compared to Hollywood- funded British films which could reach 40 million dollars.
4) Joe Stephenson tried to secure funding from organisations that help low-budget filmmakers. What is the BFI Film Fund and how does it contribute to the British film industry?
The BFI uses National Lottery funds to develop and support original UK filmmakers and films. This helps creates more diverstiy and more opportunities for younger people from less fortunate backgrounds
5) Why do you think Chicken failed to secure funding from the BFI Film Fund?
The director of chicken was already form a wealthy background which may be the reason Chicken didn't get funding because he had more advantages over people who from lower working classes.
The lighting was an issue they faced because most of their scenes were outdoors meaning controlling the light can be very difficult. Also because of their budget they could invest a lot of money on costume and makeup which as a result may have made of the blood scenes seem fake.
2) How many days did the film take to shoot?
19 Days
3) What scenes were particularly difficult for Joe Stephenson to film?
All the outdoor scenes because of the weather and lighting.
The scenes involving the chicken could be hard to film.
Distribution
1) Why did the film fail to secure a distribution deal when first made in 2014?
Many of the distributors believed the film wouldn't be as successful therefore it was not worth investing. Also the graphic and crude nature of the film meant many distributors didn't think the film would be watched by main which would cause a loss.
2) What film festivals did Chicken feature at between 2014-2016?
Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature — Joe Stephenson (New Hampshire Film Festival 2015)
Silver Griffoni Award for Best Film - Generation 18+ (2nd Prize) — Joe Stephenson & B Good Picture Company (Giffoni Film Festival 2016)
Award for Best Film — Chicken (Cine A La Vista International Film Festival 2016)
Scott Chamber's performance as Richard got a Special Critic's Circle mention (Dublin International Film Festival 2016)
3) Why are film festivals an effective way for a low-budget film to secure a distribution deal?
Film festivals give low-budget movies a greater awareness as a result more people will be drawn into the movie. Film festivals also pull more movie critics to critic the movie which as a results creates more attention therefore it is more likely to secure a distribution deal because now is there is a higher change of it being watched by people.
4) When was Chicken released in cinemas in the UK?
UK cinema release followed in May 2016
5) Why do you think film subscription service MUBI chose the film to feature on the service?
MUBI is a create platform for indie and art house films for niche audience. This make its perfect to feature Chicken which has a arthouse vibe to it and the movie Chicken is more targeted for niche audiences.
6) Why was Film4 a good choice to give the film its UK television premiere?
Film4 are known to display art house films and give low budget movies are chance unlike other broadcaster which most show movies which mean high profits.
7) When will the film be released on iTunes and other video-on-demand services in the USA and Canada?
January 2018.
Promotion
Note: some of these pages will be blocked in school - you will need to complete those particular questions at home.
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Chicken?
The peaceful music and all the aesthetic shots definitely encourages the movie to be art house. Also the character being young and emitting an adventurous aura.
2) What synergy can you find between the trailer and other traditional marketing methods such as the film poster?
The film was a micro budget film and the marketing strategy was not heavily funded so they needed to get a film festival circuit to make sure they had critical acclaim - this simple and cheap market approach enforces the view that this is meant for an art-house audience.
3) Why are reviews from industry figures such as Mark Kermode so important to a film's success?
Most movies use star power to attract a larger audience for their movies however because Chicken has a micro budget therefore using star power is an unlikely option however many people admire Mark Kermode and if he reviews Chicken then many people will be curious to watch it themselves.
4) How does the Chicken Twitter account create and maintain interest in the film?
It is a free social media account which is good due to a tight budget. The account gets a lot of reach as Twitter has the most reach of any social platform.
5) Who does the Twitter account re-tweet? How does this help to promote the film?
The account retweets critic reviews praising the movie. This similar to star power but using others platform for their benefits and to promote the movie to a greater audience.
6) How does the Chicken Facebook page use images and video content to promote the film?
They post little videos of the film and also screenshots from certain, gripping scenes. The account also posted an interview with Sir Ian Mckellen ahead of the Film4 premiere in 2017, this creates hype and interest in the film.
7) What pages are liked by the Chicken Facebook page? What does this tell you about the film and potential target audience?
They are liked by many film critics, this shows that this filom is well liked among those who value art over commercial potential.
8) Go to the website of the B Good Picture Company. What does the homepage say and what other films have they produced or are in production currently?
"Films that get people talking, make people think, make people care."
They put the motto in large font on the front of the website to show the movies they produce are movies that created with art and care. The movies have an in dept meaning and are not as simple compared to other movies.
9) Now go to the B Good Picture Company's website page for Chicken. How does this page promote Chicken specifically?
When you first view the page, it shows a quote from the movie in large font
“We were born wrong, both of us”
This gives an indication what the movie will be like and almost summarises the movies into a couple of words. When you go down the page it displays what people thought of the movie and the trailer.
10) Go to the B Good Picture Company YouTube channel. What videos feature on the channel? How do they help to promote Chicken?
Interviews with the actors and interviews with stars such as Ian Mckellen.
Final reading: Media Magazine - the appeal of arthouse cinema
Complete the following tasks to improve your understanding of arthouse film and the possible audience pleasures that the genre offers:
Read Beyond Hollywood: Reading Arthouse Cinema. This is in MM45 on page 24 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article.
1) Summarise the article in 50 words.
Arthouse films, which obviously can also be in English, are artistic rather than commercial in character. The producers of art cinema are not in the business of making it easy for audiences to read the film. Arthouse films touch upon issues in society that people may not normally talk about as they could lose the relatability concept (arthouse films have a bit more representation) and they some arthouse films such as chicken can be very complex and hard hitting, people may not be open and comfortable about such issues.
2) What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?
3) Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? Refer to some media theory here (there are some important media theories discussed in the article itself).
Art house films are usually harder to relate to the general audience and they usually have a complex narrative and idea behind them which puts of people to watching them as a result it is more catered to niche audiences. The audience usually have to be educated to understand such complex issues and according to Blumer and Katz theory people watch media for personal relationship and personal identity but art house films make it hard to relate to the characters.
4) To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?
Middle classes and older audience tend to be more educated therefore its easier for them to understand art house films. However older audience usually try to avoid complex plots about issues to society so they would be reluctant to an art house movie.
5) What type of audience would be interested in Chicken?
An younger niche audience maybe interested to chicken because not only is it coming of age, it also tackles problems that are usually unheard of.
1) What was the budget for Chicken?
£110,000
2) How did Joe Stephenson end up raising the money to make the film?
- Raised entirely through investment by individuals (e.g. rich friends/contacts)
- No funding body (e.g. BFI Film Fund) was willing to fund Chicken
The budget for Chicken was micro budget which is significantly small compared to Hollywood- funded British films which could reach 40 million dollars.
4) Joe Stephenson tried to secure funding from organisations that help low-budget filmmakers. What is the BFI Film Fund and how does it contribute to the British film industry?
The BFI uses National Lottery funds to develop and support original UK filmmakers and films. This helps creates more diverstiy and more opportunities for younger people from less fortunate backgrounds
5) Why do you think Chicken failed to secure funding from the BFI Film Fund?
The director of chicken was already form a wealthy background which may be the reason Chicken didn't get funding because he had more advantages over people who from lower working classes.
Production
1) What difficulties did the film run into during production?The lighting was an issue they faced because most of their scenes were outdoors meaning controlling the light can be very difficult. Also because of their budget they could invest a lot of money on costume and makeup which as a result may have made of the blood scenes seem fake.
2) How many days did the film take to shoot?
19 Days
3) What scenes were particularly difficult for Joe Stephenson to film?
All the outdoor scenes because of the weather and lighting.
The scenes involving the chicken could be hard to film.
Distribution
1) Why did the film fail to secure a distribution deal when first made in 2014?
Many of the distributors believed the film wouldn't be as successful therefore it was not worth investing. Also the graphic and crude nature of the film meant many distributors didn't think the film would be watched by main which would cause a loss.
2) What film festivals did Chicken feature at between 2014-2016?
Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature — Joe Stephenson (New Hampshire Film Festival 2015)
Silver Griffoni Award for Best Film - Generation 18+ (2nd Prize) — Joe Stephenson & B Good Picture Company (Giffoni Film Festival 2016)
Award for Best Film — Chicken (Cine A La Vista International Film Festival 2016)
Scott Chamber's performance as Richard got a Special Critic's Circle mention (Dublin International Film Festival 2016)
3) Why are film festivals an effective way for a low-budget film to secure a distribution deal?
Film festivals give low-budget movies a greater awareness as a result more people will be drawn into the movie. Film festivals also pull more movie critics to critic the movie which as a results creates more attention therefore it is more likely to secure a distribution deal because now is there is a higher change of it being watched by people.
4) When was Chicken released in cinemas in the UK?
UK cinema release followed in May 2016
5) Why do you think film subscription service MUBI chose the film to feature on the service?
MUBI is a create platform for indie and art house films for niche audience. This make its perfect to feature Chicken which has a arthouse vibe to it and the movie Chicken is more targeted for niche audiences.
6) Why was Film4 a good choice to give the film its UK television premiere?
Film4 are known to display art house films and give low budget movies are chance unlike other broadcaster which most show movies which mean high profits.
7) When will the film be released on iTunes and other video-on-demand services in the USA and Canada?
January 2018.
Promotion
Note: some of these pages will be blocked in school - you will need to complete those particular questions at home.
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Chicken?
The peaceful music and all the aesthetic shots definitely encourages the movie to be art house. Also the character being young and emitting an adventurous aura.
2) What synergy can you find between the trailer and other traditional marketing methods such as the film poster?
The film was a micro budget film and the marketing strategy was not heavily funded so they needed to get a film festival circuit to make sure they had critical acclaim - this simple and cheap market approach enforces the view that this is meant for an art-house audience.
3) Why are reviews from industry figures such as Mark Kermode so important to a film's success?
Most movies use star power to attract a larger audience for their movies however because Chicken has a micro budget therefore using star power is an unlikely option however many people admire Mark Kermode and if he reviews Chicken then many people will be curious to watch it themselves.
4) How does the Chicken Twitter account create and maintain interest in the film?
It is a free social media account which is good due to a tight budget. The account gets a lot of reach as Twitter has the most reach of any social platform.
5) Who does the Twitter account re-tweet? How does this help to promote the film?
The account retweets critic reviews praising the movie. This similar to star power but using others platform for their benefits and to promote the movie to a greater audience.
6) How does the Chicken Facebook page use images and video content to promote the film?
They post little videos of the film and also screenshots from certain, gripping scenes. The account also posted an interview with Sir Ian Mckellen ahead of the Film4 premiere in 2017, this creates hype and interest in the film.
7) What pages are liked by the Chicken Facebook page? What does this tell you about the film and potential target audience?
They are liked by many film critics, this shows that this filom is well liked among those who value art over commercial potential.
8) Go to the website of the B Good Picture Company. What does the homepage say and what other films have they produced or are in production currently?
"Films that get people talking, make people think, make people care."
They put the motto in large font on the front of the website to show the movies they produce are movies that created with art and care. The movies have an in dept meaning and are not as simple compared to other movies.
9) Now go to the B Good Picture Company's website page for Chicken. How does this page promote Chicken specifically?
When you first view the page, it shows a quote from the movie in large font
“We were born wrong, both of us”
This gives an indication what the movie will be like and almost summarises the movies into a couple of words. When you go down the page it displays what people thought of the movie and the trailer.
10) Go to the B Good Picture Company YouTube channel. What videos feature on the channel? How do they help to promote Chicken?
Interviews with the actors and interviews with stars such as Ian Mckellen.
Final reading: Media Magazine - the appeal of arthouse cinema
Complete the following tasks to improve your understanding of arthouse film and the possible audience pleasures that the genre offers:
Read Beyond Hollywood: Reading Arthouse Cinema. This is in MM45 on page 24 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article.
1) Summarise the article in 50 words.
Arthouse films, which obviously can also be in English, are artistic rather than commercial in character. The producers of art cinema are not in the business of making it easy for audiences to read the film. Arthouse films touch upon issues in society that people may not normally talk about as they could lose the relatability concept (arthouse films have a bit more representation) and they some arthouse films such as chicken can be very complex and hard hitting, people may not be open and comfortable about such issues.
2) What are some of the suggested audience pleasures for arthouse film?
3) Why do some audiences struggle with arthouse film? Refer to some media theory here (there are some important media theories discussed in the article itself).
Art house films are usually harder to relate to the general audience and they usually have a complex narrative and idea behind them which puts of people to watching them as a result it is more catered to niche audiences. The audience usually have to be educated to understand such complex issues and according to Blumer and Katz theory people watch media for personal relationship and personal identity but art house films make it hard to relate to the characters.
4) To what extent is arthouse film only for the middle classes and older audiences? Why might this be the case?
Middle classes and older audience tend to be more educated therefore its easier for them to understand art house films. However older audience usually try to avoid complex plots about issues to society so they would be reluctant to an art house movie.
5) What type of audience would be interested in Chicken?
An younger niche audience maybe interested to chicken because not only is it coming of age, it also tackles problems that are usually unheard of.
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