The rise of the multiplex notes:

• 1st multiplex cinema - 1985 Milton Keynes
• 1st multiplex cinema included 10 screens and attracted more that 1 million admissions within the 1st year
• Multiplexes where aimed more towards teenagers - disposable income
• Multiplexes are mainly built by American companies and mostly show Hollywood movies
• The rise of the multiplexes put smaller, independent (fleapits) out of business
• Multiplexes are placed in more social areas such as shopping centers to attract more of an audience - teenagers - 
• 1980s films began to use special effects and visual effects that fleapits could not afford to put in place therefore people began to go elsewhere 
• Distribution: marketing & merchandising: the more money spent the more it becomes an event - introducing event movies (star wars 1977) - 20 billion dollars worth of star wars merchandise has been sold
• UK cinema admissions started declining in 1940s at 1.6 billion, dropping to just 55 million in 1980s due to people starting to rent films or watch them on the TV in the comfort of their own home
• Jaws and Star Wars changed the type of films Hollywood made
• The development in projection and sound = success of the multiplex
• Film studios built multiplexes to show their OWN films
• Multiplexes offered a better experience 
• Multiplexes increased cinema attendance in the 1980s

12th January Blockbuster Notes:

Blockbusters:

• Context = Reasons
• Blockbusters don't stimulate the mind - they are for entertainment purposes only
• They're money driven
• if you spend enough money it will become an event
• Blockbuster audiences have changed between 1970-2015

- Special effect films

- Online Piracy

- High effect films; try to prevent piracy online - gives the audience a better experience by watching it in the cinemas

Blockbuster Timeline:

New Hollywood: is a term used to describe the emergence of a new generation of film school trained directors.

There is an overlap/friction between new Hollywood and blockbusters.

Problems with the Blockbuster formula:

• Blockbuster are becoming more like a game 
• They're set action pieces
• They sacrifice the narrative within the film

Task 1: Blockbusters

1. What was so significant about Jaws?

• It was the first film to ever be released nationwide all at once; instead of different places and cinemas releasing the movie at different dates/times.
• It is the highest earning movie in history up until Star Wars got released.
• First blockbuster made and published.
• First movie to ever go past the 100 dollar box office.
• One of the most successful and groundbreaking films of all time.
• The film completely changed the way in which people view sharks - they are terrified.

2. Characteristics of a blockbuster:

• Must have a global appeal.

- The main issue of the story is accessible to all to recognise and understand.

- Has a resemblance of either weather, global warming or a love story.

• Contains good vs evil.
• Has to be culture neutral.

- Offends nobody.

- Doesn't explore any form of cultural knowledge

• Contains some sort of love interest.
• Contains simple characterisation.

- Easy to understand and straightforward storyline.

- Uses stereotypes in the typical way - sticks to what they know works.

- Simple characteristics with simple motives.

• A List star (well known actors).
• Well known director.
• Big advertisement, promotions and merchandise ect.

3. Newly released blockbuster movie showing at the cinema?

Taken 3

• What was Taken 3's budget? $48 million
• How much did they make at the box office opening weekend? $44,400,000
• How many showings are there of Taken 3 in the cinema?                Showcase Bluewater: total of 15 Showings a day                                 Cineworld Bexleyheath: total of 5 showings a day                                   Vue Westfield: total of 12 showings a day
• What types of other films are showing at the cinemas? Blockbuster and Independent films - there is a variety
• Is it a multiplex or a fleapit? Multiplex movie

January 5th 2015 Blockbuster Introduction:

1. What is a flop?
A film that is viewed as highly unsuccessful or unprofitable during its theatrical run, the film has to earn less than double the production budget ($150-200 million) in order for it to flop.

2. How much does a film need to earn to be successful?
Twice the production budget of $150-200 million.

3. What are some factors that effect this (audience behaviors, technology?)
- If people are watching it in the cinemas they make more of the same film
- Online watching (illegal piracy) instead of going to the cinemas 

4. How does this affect the reasons and the decisions behind which films are made or shown?
- Whether or not there can be more films made (sequels)
- You have to spend more money to make more money e.g. A list celebrities

5. What is a franchise movie?
- A series - multiple films e.g. Star Wars

6. What is a multiplex?
- Chains of cinemas (Showcase, Cineworld, Vue, Odeon, Empire)
- Multiple screens
- Multiple viewings of the same film 

7. What is a fleapit?
- Independent cinemas 
- Not part of the chain
- Based in the middle of nowhere (not easily accessible)
- 1 or 2 screens in the cinema
- Greater variety of films

8. What is the Film Flop Formula?
- An idea/formula put in place by Mark Kamode (BBC Film Critic) to ensure films don't flop
They have to include:
- An A list star
- Have a big budget
- Spend a lot of money on special/visual effects
- Not a comedy film
- You have to spend money to make money

9. What is an event movie?
- Big event
- Encourages a big audience to come and view it
- Part of a group
- A shared experience 

10. Formulaic Special Effects?
- Formulaic special effects is a huge factor of films
- People are made to like them 
- Special effects (CGI) prevents piracy - makes people want to go to the cinema
- Creates an experience

11. Blockbusters?
- Social values
- Audiences are going to watch blockbusters
- Blockbusters include special effects
- People are told to watch it
- There is limited choices
- Cinemas only play blockbusters
- Blockbusters have huge advertisement 

* Marketing is a huge factor of films
* Merchandising: Lots of money made out of the company
* CGI prevents piracy