Part A.
How important are social networks to producers and audiences
as a form of promotion?
Social networking sites are extremely important for
producers to promote their movies. They allow film companies to target a mass
audience; the films are then promoted by the audience sharing and retweeting
the trailer of the movie, the reviews etc. They are useful to audiences because
the film trailers and reviews are easier to access and the audience members
themselves promote the film and contribute to the public perception of a film.
An example of film producers that didn’t use social
networking to promote their film is Disney. Disney’s 2012 movie John Carter
failed at the box office due to its marketing, John carter didn’t use social
networking such as twitter and Facebook so it was harder for the audience to
find out about the movie.
It has been estimated that those who use social media go to
the cinema five times more per year than the average film goer. The social
networking site Facebook is used for sharing information and sharing films in
more social ways, friends can share with other friends. It is a great way for
producers to connect with customers and offers ways to engage with audiences.
The producers of avatar used used horizontal integration by successfully
engaging audiences via several social networking campaigns. Avatar is the most
successful film of all time due to its marketing campaigns; the site the
producers created had regular competitions which attracted new customers whilst
it retains existing ones, creating an expanding universe for fans. The website
was famously hacked for free tickets; the site also was used so often that is
actually crashed. Avatar also has a twitter page; the fans of movies are able
to follow the starts and filmmakers.
Twitter is useful to the audiences of film promotion because it’s now
seen as one of the best ways to exchange gossip and get exclusive information.
Part C.
Compare how far the closing scenes of the two American films
you have studied for this topic confirm their messages and values?
The two films that I have studied are "invasion of the
body snatchers" and "War of the World". The invasion of the body
snatchers is a film based on communism/ McCarthyism in the 1950's. McCarthyism
is the practice of unfair investigative technique, especially in order to
restrict dissent or political criticism. The film "Invasion of the body
snatchers “is considered to be allegorical due to the people in America losing
their identities in the1950's because of John McCarthy. War of the worlds is a
post 9/11 cinematic film; this means that a film has been made due to being
influenced by the tragic event on 9/11/2001.Although the book was written in
1898 before 9/11 happened, the director of the film Steven Spielberg creates a
subconscious twist to change it to a post 9/11 film.
Invasion of the body snatchers is a nonlinear, the opening
scene is the ending scene of the movie and the whole story narrated through a
flash back. The closing scenes of invasion of the body snatches portray our
protagonist miles as an outcast separated from the status quo.
The final scene sees miles finally reaching the authorities
who at first believe him to have lost his mind and think he is paranoid, they
seem to intend to send him to an asylum. Their opinion is then changed when his
story is confirmed by someone else do they take him seriously. Once this has
happened the film abruptly ends with a close up of miles panicked expression as
he leans against a wall, it ends with no clear resolution signifying that the
characters did not live happily ever after because the pods still hold threat. By
returning to the beginning of the film the director is commenting on the fact
that McCarthyism is an on-going issue that is still present because it has not
yet been resolved. The director is instead trying to draw attention to the
threat posed by McCarthyism and how it is a problem people must be aware of.
The film ultimately begins and ends in a state of panic signifying that this is
an on-going problem and unless addressed they face a real danger of their
nation being taken over by the “invaders” or POD PEOPLE.
Section A
ReplyDeleteSocial Media is a part of a marketing campaign. The focus of a marketing campaign is to A - Raise Awareness, B - create a 'PERCEPTION' in the mind of the audience. You must then discuss how this perception is created, reinforced and/or challenged through social media. For example, bad word of mouth can spread across twitter/facebook extremely quickly and could undermine an entire marketing campaign.
You must also use the marketing of Avatar in much more detail and provide specific examples of how twitter in particular was utilised.
Your focus on IOTBS shows a clear understanding of the topic and you have linked social issues to a key scene. However, moving forward your must include more scenes from the film and link them to the development of Mcarthyism. For example, at first the 'outsiders' are the PODS and they are viewed with little regard. They are described as looking identical to the original person, but having an undefinable quality removed. This is ideological! They are the same yes, but they have been assimilated. At first they are not percieved as a threat due to their small number. HOwever as the film goes on and the PODS/McCarthyism grows the threat increases until the majority of people (status quo) share the same view point. The consequence is that Miles is now positioned as outsider and is seen as the threat. (just like those who questioned McCarthy).
The same applies to War of the Worlds:
- You must ensure that your define 'Allegory' early on in your essay and then discuss how each films' aliens are allegorical - and what they represent. You should also add how the aliens have historically been used to represent the 'Other' in Sci-fi.
- The Grey ash is a 'visual signifier' that taps in to people existing fears and paranoias
You should mention the opening before this - Narration states 'We are being watched with envious eyes...' - Paranoia!!! Also, Ray is seen in front of the Manhattan skyline and the twin towers are missing - we are being told that this is a post 9/11 world for the characters as well. - later reinforced by Rachael saying 'Is it the terrorists?
IOTBS - Do not confuse Communists and 'McCarthyists' - it is easy to suggest the PODS = Communists - but in fact the PODS represent the McCarthyists - people giving up their freedoms (of expression etc) in order to be part of the status Quo - See lessons on blog and IOTBS handout for more info)
Overall you have included some key points but a lot more can be taken from these films.
You must address 'allegory' in more detail and provide greater insight in to the links between the films and societies. Pick 4/5 key scenes that best represent the key themes, discuss them and draw clear and strong links between them. See IOTBS handout and revision notes for more specific support.