Institution Research

1. Distribution Research:
   

   • Identifying and delivering the largest possible audience for every film
   • Acquiring the films they release from one or more of various sources
   • Look at deals on the films they want to produce and help finance
   • Films can be shown at Film Festivals in order to raise awareness 
   • Critics and insiders may discover them and go on to champion them in early reviews and columns which boosts promotion
   • Distributors sign a contract with the producer, in order to claim rights to own the film title
   • The film is generally completed and they can see what they're dealing with
   • Distributors specifically plan out the ideal target audience for the film, using knowledge and forms of statistical research
   • Market plan is created in order to create interest of the film to cinemas
   • Cinemas and entertainment forms choose to screen their films and go on to make box office sales

   iLL Manors: Funding and Production Budget:
   

   
   

   The estimated budget of iLL Manors was around £100,000. Most of it came from Plan B himself and the rest was gathered from grants and partners such as Revolver Entertainment.

   • Film London Microwave
   • BBC Films
   • Aimimage

   The budget of iLL Manors is minuscule compares to a Hollywood-blockbuster film much like Skyfall. iLL Manors had a budget of £500,000, whereas Skyfall had a budget between $150-200 million. The budget for iLL Manors is nothing compared to the extraordinary budget of such a highly-demanded crime-action thriller film.

   
   

   Film London & Microwave Film:

   
   

   Film London is an organisation which focuses on developing and promoting films that are made in London. It works with the BFI and aims to grow the film industry in London and wants to promote this iconic city through forms of entertainment.

   
   

   Microwave Film is a sub-organisation which operates under Film London. It provides funding and grants to new film-makers who are creating their first full-feature length film and provides help and support in making their ideas become reality.

   
   

   • Lilting
   • Shifty
   • Strawberry Fields

   Comparing iLL Manors to Shifty:

   
   

   Similarities:

   
   

   • Both set in a similar location, areas of London which signify this urban and gritty tone and feel which engages the audience
   • Both contain strong levels of drugs and violence which is a common representation of youths from London
   • Both take us through of characters who are struggling in life and the actions they have to take in order to receive a source of income
   • Both primarily include very young teenage characters of different ages

   Differences:

   • More humour is conveyed in Shifty than iLL Manors; iLL Manors is more action and violence
   • Different narratives and sub-genres between the two films
   • Different character types

   Distributor: Revolver Entertainment:

   
   

   Revolver Entertainment was created in 1997 by Justin Marciano.

   
   

   Offender:
   
   

   
   
   Offender was successful due to its featuring of many rap artists that were well-known and respected when the trailer was released. Artists such as English Frank, Mic Righteous and Scorcher were all featured in the film and had an active role. This would make the film successful as they were musicians that many teenagers used to listen to, therefore, many fans of these artists would go and support them by watching the film and was beneficial in the way that the listeners of these musicians were the ideal target audience of the film. Each of these artists had a large following behind them on their music career and this further widened the audience that would be ideal to watch the film, increasing the viewer count and making it a successful low-budget film.
   

   
   

   Shank:
   
   
   
   
   Shank was hugely successful because it was a very similar film to the Kidulthood and Adulthood series which was very popular amongst teenagers upon release. Shank used the same distributor as Kidulthood and this may have caused a more faster spreading about the film and may have raised more awareness about it. Shank's official trailer was also released on SBTV first; an urban YouTube channel which forecasted young talent in the form of music. Jamal Edwards and the team at SBTV may be seen as opinion leaders and may have impacted on the audience of the film and may have helped in its success. The trailer got over a million views and played a massive role in the promoting and success of the film.
   
   Kidulthood:
   
   
   
   Kidulthood was successful due to the writer and character of the film. Noel Clarke, who had been previously known for other features in films and TV shows, and was a well-known figure in the film and television industry. The film was also advertised on YouTube and TV, and there were a few billboard advertisements which also helped in gathering attention of the film and may have played a big part in its success.
   
   Comparing iLL Manors to Kidulthood:
   
   Similarities:
   

   • Both follow a similar genre, urban and filled with 'grittyness'
   • Both are set in a similar location, London played a big role in setting the narrative
   • Both contain strong levels of drugs and violence
   • Both were low-budget films that were majorly successful

   Differences:

   • Both have slightly different narratives 
   • Different character types and aims 
   • Focuses on more younger characters in Kidulthod than iLL Manors

   Revolver Entertainment went out of business in 2013 as closures in HMV stores where Revolver sold their DVD's started to close as they went into administration which had a harsh impact on Revolver. Also, as more and more people were watching and purchasing films online, it lead to a decrease in the demand for DVD copies of films, and a majority of Revolver's revenue came from DVD sales, and as people were watching online, it led to Revolver to struggle in making money from DVD sales which caused them to close in 2013.

   
   

   The advancement in Internet facilities and as everything is going online as time advances, it is making promoting and distributing films more towards the online-side of things. As more and more people are actively using the Internet everyday, it makes it more easier and cheaper to distribute and promote films over the internet and makes it a more accessible and quicker way of gathering information about latest film releases.

   
   

   Gunslinger:

   
   

   Gunslinger Films currently in development:

   • The London Syndrome
   • Bootnecks
   • Electric

   SHANK - Official Trailer:
   
   

   
   
   Comparing iLL Manors to SHANK:
   
   Similarities:
   

   • Both focus on violence and drugs as a way of making a living
   • Both focus on teenagers' lives and how they act in society
   • Both are set in the centre of London
   • Both focus on street reputation which determines their power in the 'hood'

   Differences:

   • They both each have their own narrative
   • Different character types and ages
   • Different problems and consequences are experienced

   Gunslinger Films:

   • Offender
   • Anuvahood
   • SKET
   • SHANK

   Gunslinger focus on urban-drama type films as it is becoming a genre which is becoming very entertaining and common amongst younger teenage viewers. These films are also easier to make and are more of an entertaining genre which appeals to many people, this may be why Gunslinger focus on these film-types.

   
   

   Gunslinger films fit into the social realism genre as they convey how people in Britain are living and how their lives change as time progresses. Their urban-drama films usually take us through the lives of characters in their films and build a personal relationships and demonstrate the lives of different individuals which Gunslinger are effective in demonstrating.

   
   

   The UK urban-drama genre is becoming a very popular and entertaining genre to audiences. Viewers want to see the lives of people living in London and is becoming more and more popular amongst films.

   
   

   Certification:

   
   The team over at BBFC watch each film from start to finish and decide and award an appropriate age rating to every film. The age ratings are decided by applying some of the BBFC guidelines in order to make sure the age rating is appropriate.

   
   

   15 Age Rating:

   • Strong violence
   • Frequent strong language
   • Portrayals of sexual activity
   • Strong verbal references to sex
   • Sexual nudity
   • Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
   • Discriminatory language or behaviour
   • Drug taking

   18 Age Rating:

   • Very strong violence
   • Frequent strong language
   • Strong portrayals of sexual activity
   • Scenes of sexual violence
   • Strong horror
   • Strong blood and gore

   If films are given an 18 age rating, it ensures that it is suitable for the right type of viewers, but may be seen at a disadvantage as some viewers who are nearly 18 could be mature enough to watch films but simply cannot due to the age rating, this may put some viewers off watching the film and may decrease the number of viewers the film has in the long run.