MEST2: Arthouse film institution research

Research the institutions that produce, distribute and exhibit independent arthouse films.

Work through the following tasks:

Production: Independent film studios

1) Look back at the five films you have analysed for your existing product research. Find which studios made them – e.g. Film Four, Studio Canal, BFI, BBC Films etc.
2) What other films do these studios produce? Can you find any any other independent, arthouse or low-budget examples?
3) Do the studios have any notable successes? What is the most successful low-budget or independent film the studio has released?


Distribution: Independent film distributors

1) Research film distribution using this guide from the UK Film Distributors' Association. It's called Launching Film and takes you through the whole process of distributing a movie.
Read the whole step-by-step guide (warning: this is LONG and will take you around an hour)
2) Summarise the 10 steps of film distribution in a list using your own words.

3) Now research the distributors for each of the arthouse films you have analysed for your existing product research. Who distributed each film in the UK?

4) How many cinemas did each film open in?
5) How much money did each film make? Did it make a profit against the budget?
6) Research Curzon Artificial Eye. Who are they and what do they do?
6) Look at the Curzon Artficial Eye YouTube channel. Watch three trailers for recent or upcoming independent films and identify something you can learn from each film to use in your own film production.

Exhibition: Arthouse cinemas

Find some London-based arthouse cinemas and research the following:
1) What is the name of the cinema? Where is it?
2) What type of films do they show? What films are on this week? How do their programmes differ from the major cinema chains like Vue? 
3) What type of audience attends this kind of arthouse cinemas? Are there any clues on the website regarding the target audience? How can you tell?


A case study in independent film production: Film London and Microwave Film

1) What is Film London and why does it exist?
2) What is the purpose of Microwave Film?
3) What is the London Calling project for Film London and how does it encourage independent filmmaking?

4) Choose three feature films funded by Microwave Film and embed their trailers in your blog. For each film, explain why it fits the profile for an arthouse or independent film and what target audience the film might attract.

5) Watch these top tips for film production. List three things you've learned from these short videos that you can apply to your MEST2 production work. 

You will be given lesson time for this research but will need to complete a considerable amount of it at home. Due: Friday 11 December.