Saturday, 19 March 2016

Blockbuster vs. UK Independent Film:

Critically compare the contexts between the production of a big blockbuster and a small UK independent film.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens:





"The Force Awakens" is a huge blockbuster movie that came out in 2015 and many Star Wars fans were excited to watch it. Walt Disney Studios (the new owners of Star Wars after paying George Lucas for the franchise) are the creators of this film and was helped by Lucas himself.

Here's the "shopping list estimations" of the film's cost:
 

Film licenses (Abu Dhabi, Iceland, Scotland, London) = $17,000,000
Real sets (X-Wings, Millenium Falcon) = $26,000,000
Real costumes (Chewbacca, R2-D2, C3-P0) = $18,000,000
Casting (namely the legacy cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher) = $40,000,000
Direct production (cameras including IMAX and 35 mm, lighting, post-prod, catering) = $25,000,000
Creatives (director Abrams, producer Kennedy, writer Kasdan) = $30,000,000
Music (composer Williams, soundstage rental, orchestra) = $22,000,000
Other (insurance, marketing and promotion) = $23,000,000

And the total cost is...  $201,000,000!!
After watching the trailer, I can see that this film would be a successful blockbuster, because of the whole Galaxy and planet scenes and designs, as well as the spaceships and the "Ultimate Death Star" (which is actually called the Starkiller Base). Also, there are familiar cast members in it from the original trilogy, like Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker). Also, there are some actors who I may not know, but some other people might do, like Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren).


"The Red Shoes" is a classic film which was made in 1948 and is based by The Brothers Grimm fairytale of a young ballerina who has to dance to choose between the two things which she desires the most: Dancing and Love. It cost around £551'927, not as much as "The Force Awakens" had cost to make. Whilst watching the trailer, I realised that "The Red Shoes" is set in France, but still includes British actors, such as Moira Shearer (Victoria Page), Anton Walbrook (Boris Lermontov) and Marius Goring (Julian Craster) and that it is mainly more of a romantic film than an action one. I'm not familiar with these actors as I am with the cast of "The Force Awakens", but I can tell from the trailer that the cast of "The Red Shoes" were famous during the 20th Century.


Between the two films, I find that I'm more familiar with the more modern film, "The Force Awakens", to the 20th century film, "The Red Shoes", because of the time when I was born, really. I was into the Star Wars franchise before I was introduced to "The Red Shoes" by a relative. In my opinion, I prefer blockbusters than independent films, because I know that they are going to be filled with action and somewhat of an adventure.
Comparing the two films, there are various differences. 
One difference between the two is the popularities of the two films. In 1948, films were starting to gain popularity. Cinemas were only placed in certain areas at the time, such as Britain, USA, Europe and a few parts of Asia. They didn't have merchandise, such as toys, clothing and other items, for the film either, only posters and costumers that went in to watch the film. Whereas the Star Wars franchise started in 1977, with Star Wars: A New Hope and went up to the sequels and the prequles, until The Force Awakens came out. Cinemas were now built nearly all over the World and Star Wars also had its own merchandise: Toys, books, clothing, games, etc...! Also, actors from the original Star Wars trilogy were in the film, too, starring as their own characters from the films: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. 
Also, another difference between the films is mainly the producers of the films or the stories.
The Red Shoes are based off the story written by Hans Christian Anderson and Star Wars is  a series of different events folloeing one story plot, written by George Lucas. However, Disney brought Star Wars from George and with this information, fans may have also been anxious or excited to see what Disney could do with such a  huge franchise that many people enjoy.

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