Thursday, 7 March 2013
How does film classification affect film production and distribution?
When it comes to the BBFC classifying films, they have to consider how it is going to affect the making of the film. Moreover, they have to consider several factors such as violence, sex, drug use, swearing, nudity and horror etc and whether they have to protect and make sure that young people/children are unable to view them in the cinema, because what is shown is too inappropriate for young people and may cause several prolonged effects such as persistent nightmares and psychoilogical damage.
It can be seen that there are several people which are involved within the making of the film and the coordination, and to check that the film is being overviewed but also to check that there are people in charge of controlling all of the major aspects of the project. Moreover, there are several limitations when making films and if it is a children’s film then they have to remember not to include any themes of sex, violence, drug use, horror and foul language. This is because this could make the BBFC classify the film with a high age rating, which will affect the audience who can view the film. The actors that take part in a film, contributes towards the production of a film. The producers are in charge of what they do and how they do it. If the actors are behaving in a certain way, it can affect how high the film classification can be.
An example would be Taken, this is because it is an 18 certificated film and the film contains elements of strong violence, scenes of torture and prostitution etc. So when the writer was scripting the film he would have had to consider the classification of the film and what would be approraite for it. Furthermore, the writer would have to make sure he obeys the set regulations and that the film does not pass any boundaries set out by the BBFCFilm classification can also affect the distribution of the film. When a film gets released into a cinema, the film is automatically restricted on the age that it lets in. For example, if a film is classified as an 18, it means that nobody under the age of 18 will be allowed to view the film. This could probably convey that they are missing out on income due to the rating being quite high and people under that age may have wanted to go and see the film. However, on the positive side of film classification and the distribution of the film is that it attracts the appropriate and implied audience. In addition, this is how the media institutions know if they have targeted the correct audience or not. Nevertheless, after a period of 10 weeks after it has been shown in cinemas,it would be avaliable to purchase on DVD and online rental. This would mean that even though the DVD will still have a age certificate signposted on the DVD, it has made it a considerable lot easier to gain access to it because other people can buy the DVD for them eg. parents, other siblings, friends who are much older, meaning the instituion is contantly making money from the film. On the other hand, it can be established that this is a negative point because those of the younger age who shouldn’t be viewing the film at all, therefore they are able to access the material in a much easier and convenient way. It can be said once in domestic use that it is down to the parents to decide whether it is appropriate or not for their child to view it. Nevetheless, a lot of films are now widely distributed on the internet to stream (eg. pirate websites) or on websites such as ‘LoveFilm’ or ‘Netflix’ and they do not require proof of age unlike cinema’s do so it makes it much easier for the yoing children to access the material quicker and easier.
An example would be Taken, this is because it is an 18 certificated film and the film contains elements of strong violence, scenes of torture and prostitution etc. So when the writer was scripting the film he would have had to consider the classification of the film and what would be approraite for it. Furthermore, the writer would have to make sure he obeys the set regulations and that the film does not pass any boundaries set out by the BBFCFilm classification can also affect the distribution of the film. When a film gets released into a cinema, the film is automatically restricted on the age that it lets in. For example, if a film is classified as an 18, it means that nobody under the age of 18 will be allowed to view the film. This could probably convey that they are missing out on income due to the rating being quite high and people under that age may have wanted to go and see the film. However, on the positive side of film classification and the distribution of the film is that it attracts the appropriate and implied audience. In addition, this is how the media institutions know if they have targeted the correct audience or not. Nevertheless, after a period of 10 weeks after it has been shown in cinemas,it would be avaliable to purchase on DVD and online rental. This would mean that even though the DVD will still have a age certificate signposted on the DVD, it has made it a considerable lot easier to gain access to it because other people can buy the DVD for them eg. parents, other siblings, friends who are much older, meaning the instituion is contantly making money from the film. On the other hand, it can be established that this is a negative point because those of the younger age who shouldn’t be viewing the film at all, therefore they are able to access the material in a much easier and convenient way. It can be said once in domestic use that it is down to the parents to decide whether it is appropriate or not for their child to view it. Nevetheless, a lot of films are now widely distributed on the internet to stream (eg. pirate websites) or on websites such as ‘LoveFilm’ or ‘Netflix’ and they do not require proof of age unlike cinema’s do so it makes it much easier for the yoing children to access the material quicker and easier.
It can be said that the classification can affect the production in several ways. For example, when producing a film, if inapproraite scenes which displayed sexual content or nudity then the producers would firstly have to find actors/actresses that would be completely happy to displaying and exposing their bodies to the rest of the world but also to show themselves having sex with another person. The actors would have to be aware of this because the film could possibly be distributed to the cinemas or later be put on a DVD worldwide. Furthermore, when producing a film, the producer needs to have considered a target audience in mind, in order to produce the film and make it suitable for them and age appropraite. This can affect the actors, the language used, whether violence, sex, drug use etc. is included. This is important to consider because if the film overstepped the age boundaries set out by the BBFC, so it may have to be raised and then would not fit their orginal target audience they had in mind.
In conclusion, it can be established that film classification has a big effect on the production and distribution of a film, however, for films that get shown at the cinema it can have a considerable effect however, in comparison to viewing it on the Internet and via DVD’s it has allowed youngsters to gain access to the films, without needing proof of age, but when shown at the cinema, the age restriction is monitored and controlled for the right reasons to prevent prolonged harm in which the material may have on the young generation.
Made in Dagenham Case Study Questions
Project Development
Identify three key elements of project development described by Stephen Woolley
The key elements of project development is producer, writers and research, in the case of this film.
Finance
What factors do you think motivated the different organisations to contribute to the film’s financing?
He goes on to describe the film to be similar to the successful film, 'Calander Girls', he believes it could give hope to this film to follow in their footsteps, and therefore produce a reasonable returns. Also, they may assume that audience would want to see a historical film, but with a humour as well which results in a 'heartwarming' feeling.
Can you name the different funding bodies?
BBC, Paramount (including Australian partners), Hanway (a sales company), The UK Film Council, Sony Pictures Classic (an America distribution company)
What impact does the fact that the film is set in the past have upon the cost of the film?
The fact that the film was set in the 60's had a big financial effect on the film, due to the sets which had to be created. This is because shooting on location would mean featuring modern cars, modern buses, modern road signs and modern features of a street, therefore meaning everything had to be created.
What other elements of film making impact on the budget?
Other elements which had an impact upon the films budget was having to use old footage of the time to save money hiring extras and sets.
Casting
What qualities did the filmmakers want to highlight in the character of Rita?
strong yet ordinary so the audience could emphasis with her.
How does Stephen Woolley describe Sally Hawkins’ star image as having an impact upon casting decisions?
Her past role in 'Happy Go Lucky' showed Stephen Wolley how her warm hearted, generous personality shows through her roles, and therefore would help audiences warm and relate to Rita.
The Producer
Identify the key roles of a producer
The key role of a producer is to find locations, find crew, find editor, find designer, director of photography, camera operators, contruction crew and work out the costs
What are the challenges faced by a producer?
Challenges which face the producer is people are hesistant to make deals if the film has not began filming, so film making often satrts before deals are finalised
Identify three key elements of project development described by Stephen Woolley
The key elements of project development is producer, writers and research, in the case of this film.
Finance
What factors do you think motivated the different organisations to contribute to the film’s financing?
He goes on to describe the film to be similar to the successful film, 'Calander Girls', he believes it could give hope to this film to follow in their footsteps, and therefore produce a reasonable returns. Also, they may assume that audience would want to see a historical film, but with a humour as well which results in a 'heartwarming' feeling.
Can you name the different funding bodies?
BBC, Paramount (including Australian partners), Hanway (a sales company), The UK Film Council, Sony Pictures Classic (an America distribution company)
What impact does the fact that the film is set in the past have upon the cost of the film?
The fact that the film was set in the 60's had a big financial effect on the film, due to the sets which had to be created. This is because shooting on location would mean featuring modern cars, modern buses, modern road signs and modern features of a street, therefore meaning everything had to be created.
What other elements of film making impact on the budget?
Other elements which had an impact upon the films budget was having to use old footage of the time to save money hiring extras and sets.
Casting
What qualities did the filmmakers want to highlight in the character of Rita?
strong yet ordinary so the audience could emphasis with her.
How does Stephen Woolley describe Sally Hawkins’ star image as having an impact upon casting decisions?
Her past role in 'Happy Go Lucky' showed Stephen Wolley how her warm hearted, generous personality shows through her roles, and therefore would help audiences warm and relate to Rita.
The Producer
Identify the key roles of a producer
The key role of a producer is to find locations, find crew, find editor, find designer, director of photography, camera operators, contruction crew and work out the costs
What are the challenges faced by a producer?
Challenges which face the producer is people are hesistant to make deals if the film has not began filming, so film making often satrts before deals are finalised
Distribution Notes
Distribution is about releasing and sustainable films in the market place
It is the third part of the film supply chain, and is often referred to as 'the invisible art'
The process is only known to those within the industry.
Distribution is often considered the most important part of the film industry because it is the point when completed films are brought to life and connected with an audience.
The phases of production, distribution, and exhibition operate most effectively when 'vertically integrated' In the UK, distribution is very much focused on marketing and sustaining a global product in local markets. Distribution can be divided into three stages - licensing, marketing and logistics. Licensing is the process by which a distributor acquires the legal right to exploit a film International distribution ensures that films find their way to the 90+ market 'territories' around the world Independent producers have to sell their films to different distributors in each territory. 'Local' distribution , involves the distributor acquiring the licence to release and exploit the film in a particular country The distributor will usually pay the producer a minimum guarantee for the licence. This fee will vary depending on the status and perceived commercial potential of the film The licence will stipulate that the distributor will also pay royalties to the producer, taken from the profits that the film generates.
The launch of the film-
In the UK, feature films are released initially theatrically (in cinemas) This is seen as the most effective way to create interest in a new film. The big screen is still the optimum setting for a film for both audiences and the filmmakers. Months following the theatrical release, a film will be packaged and released on DVD and VHS video, then on various forms of pay television, and after a couple of years of it being in the cinemas, on free-to-air TV. The key is to invest as much as needed into promoting the film to draw out the maximum returns.
Marketing-
In the UK, new films are released theatrically on Fridays.A further consideration for scheduling a release is the seasonality of the film. The distributor will try to position the film distinctively and avoid a release date occupied by other films with similartraits (story, subject, country of origin).The distributor would look for a light week. Usually ten new releases in a week.
The Theatrical release-
After setting a release date, the distributor works towards the theatrical release, investing in the materials and the marketing campaign to support it . The costs of theatrical distribution, met by local distributors, are often referred to as 'P&A' or prints and advertising. P&A also represent the bulk of the distributor's investment, after paying the initial fee for rights and can range from less the £1,000 to over £1 million for the release of a film in the UK.
The Logistics of Distribution-
The distributor will enter into an agreement with the cinema to screen the film on certain 'play-dates'. It is the responsibility of the distributor to arrange the transportation of the film to the cinema as part of its wider coordination. Logistics represent the phase of distribution at its most basic - supplying and circulating copies of the film to theaters of tapes and DVDs to shops and video rental stores, and managing the effectiveness of the supply. Typically for UK exhibition, the distributor handles 35mm film prints. Each print is hired and then used for repeat use.
Premier Satellite Event (Case Study)
Overall the event went very well. There was an unfortunate technical glitch early on where we lost all power to broadcast at the very start but this was quickly resolved and we managed to get going again quickly. Aside from a handful of timing issues in individual locations most cinemas received the stage intro and following Q&A perfectly. The film took nearly £12,000 of box office on the night, representing about 1,700 people.
The BFI London Film Festival Verdict:
One of the cornerstones of a successful festival is the bringing together of film-makers with audiences and providing some insight into the making of the film. It was clear the public enjoyed it and able to enjoy the experience outside Odeon Leicester Square.
Catfish
It is the third part of the film supply chain, and is often referred to as 'the invisible art'
The process is only known to those within the industry.
Distribution is often considered the most important part of the film industry because it is the point when completed films are brought to life and connected with an audience.
The phases of production, distribution, and exhibition operate most effectively when 'vertically integrated' In the UK, distribution is very much focused on marketing and sustaining a global product in local markets. Distribution can be divided into three stages - licensing, marketing and logistics. Licensing is the process by which a distributor acquires the legal right to exploit a film International distribution ensures that films find their way to the 90+ market 'territories' around the world Independent producers have to sell their films to different distributors in each territory. 'Local' distribution , involves the distributor acquiring the licence to release and exploit the film in a particular country The distributor will usually pay the producer a minimum guarantee for the licence. This fee will vary depending on the status and perceived commercial potential of the film The licence will stipulate that the distributor will also pay royalties to the producer, taken from the profits that the film generates.
The launch of the film-
In the UK, feature films are released initially theatrically (in cinemas) This is seen as the most effective way to create interest in a new film. The big screen is still the optimum setting for a film for both audiences and the filmmakers. Months following the theatrical release, a film will be packaged and released on DVD and VHS video, then on various forms of pay television, and after a couple of years of it being in the cinemas, on free-to-air TV. The key is to invest as much as needed into promoting the film to draw out the maximum returns.
Marketing-
In the UK, new films are released theatrically on Fridays.A further consideration for scheduling a release is the seasonality of the film. The distributor will try to position the film distinctively and avoid a release date occupied by other films with similartraits (story, subject, country of origin).The distributor would look for a light week. Usually ten new releases in a week.
The Theatrical release-
After setting a release date, the distributor works towards the theatrical release, investing in the materials and the marketing campaign to support it . The costs of theatrical distribution, met by local distributors, are often referred to as 'P&A' or prints and advertising. P&A also represent the bulk of the distributor's investment, after paying the initial fee for rights and can range from less the £1,000 to over £1 million for the release of a film in the UK.
The Logistics of Distribution-
The distributor will enter into an agreement with the cinema to screen the film on certain 'play-dates'. It is the responsibility of the distributor to arrange the transportation of the film to the cinema as part of its wider coordination. Logistics represent the phase of distribution at its most basic - supplying and circulating copies of the film to theaters of tapes and DVDs to shops and video rental stores, and managing the effectiveness of the supply. Typically for UK exhibition, the distributor handles 35mm film prints. Each print is hired and then used for repeat use.
Premier Satellite Event (Case Study)
- The UK premier of 'Another Year' took place on Monday 18th October 2010, as the BFI London Film Festival's Mayor of London Gala Screening
- The UK Film council made £150,000 P&A Award to Momentum Pictures for the wider distribution of the film.
- A portion was allocated to expand the UK premiere from the London Film Festival's Mayor of London Gala. Footage from the premiere and the subsequent question and answer session was beamed to 33 sites in Greater London and across the UK, who also screened the film to paying audiences
- Momentum pictures worked with ITV to deliver the event and it cost around £13,000
Overall the event went very well. There was an unfortunate technical glitch early on where we lost all power to broadcast at the very start but this was quickly resolved and we managed to get going again quickly. Aside from a handful of timing issues in individual locations most cinemas received the stage intro and following Q&A perfectly. The film took nearly £12,000 of box office on the night, representing about 1,700 people.
The BFI London Film Festival Verdict:
One of the cornerstones of a successful festival is the bringing together of film-makers with audiences and providing some insight into the making of the film. It was clear the public enjoyed it and able to enjoy the experience outside Odeon Leicester Square.
Catfish
- Catfish is one of the most talked about titles at the London film festival in November
- Momentum pictures, picked up the film expecting smart urbanite audiences to be intrigued and the film has become a cultural discussion point.
- Whilst the film has qualities, the rationale for P&A funding lay primarily in supporting Momentum's innovative release strategy and plans for finding an audience for specialised film.
- In this case specialised by virtue of being a documentary.
- The preview screening began simultaneously in all 29 cinemas, whilst 100 online winners - through a competition organised by lovefilm - simultaneously enjoyed a private online premeire of the film on their own computer
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Case study Seven Psychopaths
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Produced by
Martin McDonagh
Graham Broadbent
Peter Czernin
Written by Martin McDonagh
Starring
Colin Farrell
Sam Rockwell
Woody Harrelson
Christopher Walken
Tom Waits
Abbie Cornish
Olga Kurylenko
Music by Carter Burwell
Cinematography Ben Davis
Editing by Lisa Gunning
Studio(s)
Film4
British Film Institute
Blueprint Pictures
Distributed by
CBS Films (United States)
Momentum Pictures (United Kingdom)
Release date(s)
7 September 2012 (TIFF)
12 October 2012 (United States)
Running time 110 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $15 million
Box office $23,492,318
Seven Psychopaths is a 2012 British black comedy film written, co-produced and directed by Martin McDonagh. It stars Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken. The film marks the second collaboration between McDonagh and Farrell, following 2008's In Bruges.
Seven Psychopaths had its world premiere on 7 September 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in the United States and Canada on 12 October 2012, and it was released in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2012.
The first casting announcements were made on 12 May 2011.The film was made through the production company HanWay.
Mickey Rourke dropped out of The Expendables 2 to star in the film. He later dropped out of Seven Psychopaths after having disagreements with McDonagh, calling him a "jerk-off." He was later replaced by Woody Harrelson. On the incident, McDonagh said "I was fine with it. Mickey's a great actor [...] I've known Woody [Harrelson] for years and years, and he was a perfect choice for this, too. He's got those great dramatic elements, which he's shown in Rampart recently, and he's always been a fantastic comedian. You need that in this — someone who can be out-and-out funny, but also turn sinister on a dime."
Filming was completed late 2011. The first set photos were revealed on 11 November 2011. The North American release date was 12 October 2012.
Music
The film's score was composed by Carter Burwell, who previously composed the score to McDonaugh's In Bruges. Lakeshore Records released the soundtrack digitally on 23 October 2012, with a physical release date set for 20 November 2012.
Box office performance
Seven Psychopaths was released on 12 October 2012, and opened in 1,480 theaters in the United States, grossing $1,360,000 on its opening day and $4,275,000 on its opening weekend, ranking No. 9 with a per theater average of $2,889. On its second weekend, it dropped down to No. 11 and grossed $3,273,480, with a per theater average of $2,212. By its third weekend it dropped down even more to No. 15 and made $1,498,350, with a per theater average of $1,494.
Critical response
The film received positive reviews from the film critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 82% based on 194 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film holds an average score of 66%, based on 43 reviews, which indicates "generally favourable reviews."
Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave the film a positive review and a "A-" grade, praising McDonagh's writing, stating that it "hits a unique pitch between dark, bloody satire and interpersonal conflicts that makes his finest work play like a combination of Quentin Tarantino and Aaron Sorkin." About the film itself, he wrote: "A less controlled and slapdash character piece than In Bruges, McDonagh's new movie benefits greatly from a plethora of one-liners that toy with crime movie clichés in the unlikely context of writerly obsessions." Claudia Puig of USA Today also gave the film a positive review, writing that "men in movies are often just overgrown boys, and Seven Psychopaths is out to prove it — in the most twisted, hilarious way possible."Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, he praised the performances of main cast members and McDonagh's writing, he stating that "Walken sometimes leans toward self-parody, but here his performance has a delicate, contained strangeness. All of the actors are good, and Farrell wisely allows the showier performances to circle around him. Like any screenwriter — like Tarantino, for example, who is possibly McDonagh's inspiration here — he brings these people into being and stands back in amazement." About the film, he added: "This is a delightfully goofy, self-aware movie that knows it is a movie."Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B+" grade, stating: "An energetically demented psycho-killer comedy set in faux-noir L.A., Seven Psychopaths rollicks along to the unique narrative beat and language stylings of Anglo-Irish writer-director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), channeling Quentin Tarantino."
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the performances of the main cast members, he stated: "As creatively bankrupt Marty, Farrell is in subdued mode here, his performance largely defined by the endless expressivity of his eyebrows. He serves as an excellent foil for Rockwell, whose line readings continually dance between knowingness and idiocy, and Walken, who ventures as far into deadpan as you can go while remaining conscious. And Harrelson has fun contrasting his devotion to Bonny with his contempt for humanity." He wrote about the film that "while it's way behind the Pulp Fiction curve, Seven Psychopaths can be terrifically entertaining."Catherine Shoard of The Guardian gave the film four stars out of five, indicating a positive review, she wrote: "There are scenes of complete brilliance, Walken is better than he's been in years, cute plot loops and grace notes."Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three stars out of four, stating: "Blood splatters, heads explode, and McDonagh takes sassy, self-mocking shots at the very notion of being literary in Hollywood. It's crazy-killer fun."Ty Burr of Boston Globe also gave the film three stars out of four, stating that the film is "absurdly entertaining even after it disappears up its own hindquarters in the last act, and it gives some of our weirder actors ample room to play."
Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune gave the film three stars out of four, writing that "the result is a clever, violent daydream. But McDonagh's skill behind the camera has grown considerably since In Bruges. And the way he writes, he's able to attract the ideal actors into his garden of psychopathology."Dana Stevens of Slate magazine gave the film a positive review, stating: "It's at once a gangster movie, a buddy comedy, and a meta-fictional exploration of the limits of both genres - and if that sounds impossible to pull off, well, McDonagh doesn't, quite. But the pure sick brio of Seven Psychopaths takes it a long way."Richard Corliss of Time magazine also gave the film a positive review, writing that "small in stature but consistently entertaining, Seven Psychopaths is a vacation from consequence for the Tony- and Oscar-winning author, and an unsupervised play date for his cast of screw-loose stars."James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four, stating: "On balance, one could argue that Seven Psychopaths warrants a better rating than a mediocre **1/2, but the aftertaste is so bitter that it diminishes the sweetness that started off the meal."
Peter Debruge of Variety magazine, gave the film a mixed review, stating that "the film's overall tone is so cartoony, it's easy to imagine someone spinning off a macabre animated series of the same name....." and that "compared to McDonagh's best work for stage (The Lieutenant of Inishmore) and screen (In Bruges), Seven Psychopaths feels like either an older script knocking around the bottom of a drawer or a new one hastily tossed off between more ambitious projects."Kevin Jagernauth of The Playlist also gave the film a mixed review, stating that while "somewhat spastic and overcooked, Seven Psychopaths might have a few too many."
Produced by
Martin McDonagh
Graham Broadbent
Peter Czernin
Written by Martin McDonagh
Starring
Colin Farrell
Sam Rockwell
Woody Harrelson
Christopher Walken
Tom Waits
Abbie Cornish
Olga Kurylenko
Music by Carter Burwell
Cinematography Ben Davis
Editing by Lisa Gunning
Studio(s)
Film4
British Film Institute
Blueprint Pictures
Distributed by
CBS Films (United States)
Momentum Pictures (United Kingdom)
Release date(s)
7 September 2012 (TIFF)
12 October 2012 (United States)
Running time 110 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $15 million
Box office $23,492,318
Seven Psychopaths is a 2012 British black comedy film written, co-produced and directed by Martin McDonagh. It stars Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken. The film marks the second collaboration between McDonagh and Farrell, following 2008's In Bruges.
Seven Psychopaths had its world premiere on 7 September 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in the United States and Canada on 12 October 2012, and it was released in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2012.
The first casting announcements were made on 12 May 2011.The film was made through the production company HanWay.
Mickey Rourke dropped out of The Expendables 2 to star in the film. He later dropped out of Seven Psychopaths after having disagreements with McDonagh, calling him a "jerk-off." He was later replaced by Woody Harrelson. On the incident, McDonagh said "I was fine with it. Mickey's a great actor [...] I've known Woody [Harrelson] for years and years, and he was a perfect choice for this, too. He's got those great dramatic elements, which he's shown in Rampart recently, and he's always been a fantastic comedian. You need that in this — someone who can be out-and-out funny, but also turn sinister on a dime."
Filming was completed late 2011. The first set photos were revealed on 11 November 2011. The North American release date was 12 October 2012.
Music
The film's score was composed by Carter Burwell, who previously composed the score to McDonaugh's In Bruges. Lakeshore Records released the soundtrack digitally on 23 October 2012, with a physical release date set for 20 November 2012.
Box office performance
Seven Psychopaths was released on 12 October 2012, and opened in 1,480 theaters in the United States, grossing $1,360,000 on its opening day and $4,275,000 on its opening weekend, ranking No. 9 with a per theater average of $2,889. On its second weekend, it dropped down to No. 11 and grossed $3,273,480, with a per theater average of $2,212. By its third weekend it dropped down even more to No. 15 and made $1,498,350, with a per theater average of $1,494.
Critical response
The film received positive reviews from the film critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 82% based on 194 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film holds an average score of 66%, based on 43 reviews, which indicates "generally favourable reviews."
Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave the film a positive review and a "A-" grade, praising McDonagh's writing, stating that it "hits a unique pitch between dark, bloody satire and interpersonal conflicts that makes his finest work play like a combination of Quentin Tarantino and Aaron Sorkin." About the film itself, he wrote: "A less controlled and slapdash character piece than In Bruges, McDonagh's new movie benefits greatly from a plethora of one-liners that toy with crime movie clichés in the unlikely context of writerly obsessions." Claudia Puig of USA Today also gave the film a positive review, writing that "men in movies are often just overgrown boys, and Seven Psychopaths is out to prove it — in the most twisted, hilarious way possible."Roger Ebert of Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, he praised the performances of main cast members and McDonagh's writing, he stating that "Walken sometimes leans toward self-parody, but here his performance has a delicate, contained strangeness. All of the actors are good, and Farrell wisely allows the showier performances to circle around him. Like any screenwriter — like Tarantino, for example, who is possibly McDonagh's inspiration here — he brings these people into being and stands back in amazement." About the film, he added: "This is a delightfully goofy, self-aware movie that knows it is a movie."Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B+" grade, stating: "An energetically demented psycho-killer comedy set in faux-noir L.A., Seven Psychopaths rollicks along to the unique narrative beat and language stylings of Anglo-Irish writer-director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), channeling Quentin Tarantino."
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised the performances of the main cast members, he stated: "As creatively bankrupt Marty, Farrell is in subdued mode here, his performance largely defined by the endless expressivity of his eyebrows. He serves as an excellent foil for Rockwell, whose line readings continually dance between knowingness and idiocy, and Walken, who ventures as far into deadpan as you can go while remaining conscious. And Harrelson has fun contrasting his devotion to Bonny with his contempt for humanity." He wrote about the film that "while it's way behind the Pulp Fiction curve, Seven Psychopaths can be terrifically entertaining."Catherine Shoard of The Guardian gave the film four stars out of five, indicating a positive review, she wrote: "There are scenes of complete brilliance, Walken is better than he's been in years, cute plot loops and grace notes."Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three stars out of four, stating: "Blood splatters, heads explode, and McDonagh takes sassy, self-mocking shots at the very notion of being literary in Hollywood. It's crazy-killer fun."Ty Burr of Boston Globe also gave the film three stars out of four, stating that the film is "absurdly entertaining even after it disappears up its own hindquarters in the last act, and it gives some of our weirder actors ample room to play."
Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune gave the film three stars out of four, writing that "the result is a clever, violent daydream. But McDonagh's skill behind the camera has grown considerably since In Bruges. And the way he writes, he's able to attract the ideal actors into his garden of psychopathology."Dana Stevens of Slate magazine gave the film a positive review, stating: "It's at once a gangster movie, a buddy comedy, and a meta-fictional exploration of the limits of both genres - and if that sounds impossible to pull off, well, McDonagh doesn't, quite. But the pure sick brio of Seven Psychopaths takes it a long way."Richard Corliss of Time magazine also gave the film a positive review, writing that "small in stature but consistently entertaining, Seven Psychopaths is a vacation from consequence for the Tony- and Oscar-winning author, and an unsupervised play date for his cast of screw-loose stars."James Berardinelli of ReelViews gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four, stating: "On balance, one could argue that Seven Psychopaths warrants a better rating than a mediocre **1/2, but the aftertaste is so bitter that it diminishes the sweetness that started off the meal."
Peter Debruge of Variety magazine, gave the film a mixed review, stating that "the film's overall tone is so cartoony, it's easy to imagine someone spinning off a macabre animated series of the same name....." and that "compared to McDonagh's best work for stage (The Lieutenant of Inishmore) and screen (In Bruges), Seven Psychopaths feels like either an older script knocking around the bottom of a drawer or a new one hastily tossed off between more ambitious projects."Kevin Jagernauth of The Playlist also gave the film a mixed review, stating that while "somewhat spastic and overcooked, Seven Psychopaths might have a few too many."
Comparison between the Baftas and Oscars
Daniel Day Lewis- Best actor
One of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, his work has earned numerous awards, including five nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor, in which he won three times, respectively, for his portrayals of Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1989), Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2007), and Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (2012), a feat which makes him the only male actor in history to gather three wins in the leading category. Day-Lewis has also received six nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, with four wins, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Critic's Choice Awards, as well as garnering seven Golden Globe nominations, winning twice.
Skyfall- music and sound editing
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21570148
It can seem that the Oscars is shown to be a global awards show in comparison to the Baftas which is much smaller and more UK based and in comparison to most British films the Hollywood films are much more popular as they are distributed globally in comparison to most British films which are normally distributed in European countries rather than in other parts of the world.
One of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, his work has earned numerous awards, including five nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor, in which he won three times, respectively, for his portrayals of Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1989), Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood (2007), and Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln (2012), a feat which makes him the only male actor in history to gather three wins in the leading category. Day-Lewis has also received six nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, with four wins, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Critic's Choice Awards, as well as garnering seven Golden Globe nominations, winning twice.
Skyfall- music and sound editing
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21570148
It can seem that the Oscars is shown to be a global awards show in comparison to the Baftas which is much smaller and more UK based and in comparison to most British films the Hollywood films are much more popular as they are distributed globally in comparison to most British films which are normally distributed in European countries rather than in other parts of the world.
Friday, 22 February 2013
Les Miserables Case study
Directed by Tom Hooper
Produced by Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Debra Hayward
Cameron Mackintosh
Screenplay by William Nicholson
Alain Boublil
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Herbert Kretzmer
Based on Les Misérables by
Alain Boublil
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Starring Hugh Jackman
Russell Crowe
Anne Hathaway
Amanda Seyfried
Eddie Redmayne
Helena Bonham Carter
Sacha Baron Cohen
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Cinematography Danny Cohen
Editing by Melanie Ann Oliver
Chris Dickens
Studio Working Title Films
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
Relativity Media
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s)
5 December 2012 (London, premiere)
11 January 2013 (United Kingdom)
Running time 158 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $61 million
Box office $379,064,425
Les Misérables is a 2012 British musical drama film produced by Working Title Films and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film is based on the musical of the same name by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg which is in turn based on Les Misérables, the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo. The film is directed by Tom Hooper, scripted by William Nicholson, Boublil, Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer, and stars an ensemble cast led by Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried. The film tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who becomes mayor of a town in France. Soon exposed, Valjean agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of the dying Fantine, but as a fugitive must also avoid being captured again by police inspector Javert. The plot spans 17 years and is set against a backdrop of political turmoil, which in the film culminates in the June Rebellion of France.
Development of Les Misérables based on the stage musical began in the late 1980s. After the musical's 25th Anniversary concert in October 2010, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film resumed development. Hooper and Nicholson were approached in March 2011 and the main characters were cast in 2011. Principal photography commenced in March 2012, and took place in various locations including Greenwich, London, Winchester and Portsmouth in Hampshire, England, as well as Gourdon, in France.
Les Misérables premiered in London on 5 December 2012, and was released on 25 December 2012 in the United States, on 26 December 2012 in Australia, and on 11 January 2013 in the United Kingdom. The film has received divided, but generally positive reviews, with many critics praising the cast, especially the acting of Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Jackman and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for Hathaway. It has also won four BAFTA Awards, including the Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hathaway). It has received eight Academy Award nominations that include Best Picture (the first musical nominated since 2002's winner Chicago), Best Actor for Jackman and Best Supporting Actress for Hathaway.
Production
Development
In 1988, Alan Parker was considered to direct a film adaptation of the Les Misérables musical. However, in 1991, Bruce Beresford signed on to be the film's director.
In 1992, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film would be co-produced by TriStar Pictures. However, the film was abandoned, leaving it stuck in development hell. In 2005, Mackintosh later confirmed that interest in turning the musical into a film adaptation had resumed during the early months of that year. Mackintosh said that he wanted the film to be directed by "someone who has a vision for the show that will put the show's original team, including [Mackintosh], back to work." He also said that he wanted the film audiences to make it "fresh as the actual show [itself]."In 2009, producer Eric Fellner began negotiations with Mackintosh to acquire the film's rights and concluded it near the end of 2011. Fellner, Tim Bevan, and Debra Hayward engaged William Nicholson to write a screenplay for the film. Nicholson wrote the draft within six weeks time.
The DVD/Blu-ray release of Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary Concert confirmed an announcement of the musical's film adaptation. Mackintosh then stated at a press conference that the plans for the film adaptation were being made.
Pre-production
In March 2011, director Tom Hooper began negotiations to direct Les Misérables from the screenplay by William Nicholson. Production on the film officially began in June that year, with Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films co-producing. Having already approached Hooper prior to production with the desire of playing Jean Valjean, Hugh Jackman began negotiations to star in the film alongside Paul Bettany as Javert.Other stars that became attached to the project were Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.
In September 2011, Jackman was officially cast as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe was cast as Javert. The following month, Mackintosh confirmed that Hathaway would play Fantine. For the role, Hathaway allowed her hair to be cut short into a pixie cut on camera for a scene in which her character sells her hair, stating that the lengths she goes to for her roles "don't feel like sacrifices. Getting to transform is one of the best parts of [acting]." The role also required her to lose 25 pounds.
In November 2011, Eddie Redmayne joined the cast as Marius Pontmercy. It was also reported that the shortlist of actresses for the role of Éponine included Scarlett Johansson - who also auditioned for the role of Fantine -, Lea Michele, Taylor Swift, and Evan Rachel Wood. In January 2012, the press reported that Taylor Swift had been officially offered the part, but Swift later revealed that these reports were not entirely accurate. At the end of the month, Cameron Mackintosh made a special appearance during the curtain call of the Oliver! UK tour at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, announcing that the tour's Nancy, Samantha Barks, who had played Éponine in the West End production and in the 25th Anniversary concert, would reprise the role in the film. Barks had been auditioning for 15 weeks up to that point.
Originally, an unknown was sought for the role of Cosette, with an open casting call taking place in New York City in December 2011. However, in January 2012 reports surfaced that Amanda Seyfried had been offered the role instead. Eddie Redmayne confirmed both Seyfried's casting and that of Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier in an interview on 12 January. Hooper confirmed that he would stick to the musical's essentially sung-through form and would thus introduce very little additional dialogue. Hooper also confirmed that the film would not be shot in 3D, expressing his opinion that it would not enhance the emotional narrative of the film and would distract audiences from the storytelling.
Following this announcement, reports surfaced in the press that Sacha Baron Cohen had begun talks to join the the cast as Thénardier and that Aaron Tveit had been cast as Enjolras.bLater that month, the press officially confirmed Tveit's casting as Enjolras. Later, Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle (the original Valjean and Éponine, respectively, in the West End and Broadway productions) had cameos in the film, with Wilkinson playing the Bishop of Digne and Ruffelle playing a prostitute. George Blagden was also cast, as Grantaire. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Front Row, Tom Hooper revealed that Claude-Michel Schönberg will be composing one new song and additional music. The director also expanded on the performers singing live on set, which he felt would eliminate the need to recapture "locked" performances and allow more creative freedom. More details of this were confirmed by Eddie Redmayne in an interview. He stated that the cast would sing to piano tracks (via earpiece) and that the orchestra would be added in post-production.
In February 2012, casting auditions involving extras for the film took place at the University of Portsmouth and Chatham Maritime in Chatham. Several days later, Mackintosh officially confirmed that Bonham Carter would play Madame Thénardier. He also announced that the title of the newly created song for the film is "Suddenly" and that it "beautifully explains what happens when Valjean takes Cosette from the inn and looks after her." At the end of the month, The Sun reported that the long-rumoured Baron Cohen had been cast in the role of Monsieur Thénardier.
The cast began rehearsals in January 2012, with principal photography due to begin in March. The press officially confirmed Baron Cohen's casting during the latter month. No table read took place before filming.
Filming
Tom Hooper directing the second unit of Les Misérables on location in Winchester in April 2012.
With a production budget of $61 million, principal photography of the film began on 8 March 2012 in Gourdon, in France. Filming locations also included Winchester College, Winchester Cathedral Close, Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, Oxford, St Mary the Virgin Church in Ewelme, South Oxfordshire and Pinewood Studios in England. In April 2012, a replica of the Elephant of the Bastille was constructed in Greenwich. In the novel, Gavroche lives in the decaying monument. Footage of Anne Hathaway singing "I Dreamed a Dream", a song from the musical, was shown at CinemaCon on 26 April 2012. On 5 June 2012, Russell Crowe confirmed on Twitter that he had finished filming. He was later followed by Samantha Barks, confirming that all of her scenes had too been completed. On 23 June 2012, Hugh Jackman confirmed that all filming had been completed. Some late filming was carried out in Bath, Somerset, in October 2012 where stunt shots for Javert's suicide scene had to be reshot due to an error found with this footage during post-production. Bath was not the original filming location for this scene, but the late footage was captured at Pulteney Weir, which is unmistakable in the film.
Post-production
The film's vocals were recorded live on set using live piano accompaniments played through earpieces as a guide, with the orchestral accompaniment recorded in post-production, rather than the traditional method where the film's musical soundtracks are usually pre-recorded and played back on set to which actors lip-sync. Production sound mixer Simon Hayes used 50 DPA 4071 lavalier microphones to record the vocals. Hooper explained his choice:
" I just felt ultimately, it was a more natural way of doing it. You know, when actors do dialogue, they have freedom in time, they have freedom in pacing. They can stop for a moment, they can speed up. I simply wanted to give the actors the normal freedoms that they would have. If they need a bit for an emotion or a feeling to form in the eyes before they sing, I can take that time. If they cry, they can cry through a song. When you’re doing it to playback, to the millisecond you have to copy what you do. You have no freedom in the moment – and acting is the illusion of being free in the moment.”
Although this unique live recording method has been stated as "a world's first" by the creative team, several film musicals have used this method before, including early talkies, as lip-syncing wasn't perfected, the 1975 20th Century Fox film At Long Last Love and more recently in the 1995 adaptation of The Fantasticks,in the 2001 film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and in the 2007 film Across the Universe with songs by The Beatles. On 27 August 2012, it was announced that recording sessions for Les Misérables would begin in London on 10 October and featured a 70-piece orchestra. It was also announced that composer Claude-Michel Schönberg was working on writing additional music to underscore the film. On 9 September 2012, Universal Studios executives were granted a viewing of the rough cut of the film without the orchestra. The cut was greeted with "extreme excitement," and Russell Crowe tweeted that he received many excited emails.
Marketing
On 30 May 2012, the film's first teaser trailer debuted online, and later in theatres with Snow White and the Huntsman.[85]
On 20 September 2012, an extended first look was released on the film's official Facebook page. This short introduces and explains Hooper's method of recording vocals live on set, and compares it to the traditional method of pre-recording the vocals in a studio months in advance. Hugh Jackman stated that filming in this way allows him more creative freedom with the material and that he "only has to worry about acting it." Both Hooper and the actors believe that this choice of production method will make the film feel much more emotional, raw, and real. The actors praised Hooper for his method and provide brief interviews throughout the video. Hooper mentions, "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to do something genuinely groundbreaking."Bits of Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, and Samantha Barks singing were received very positively, especially the teaser trailer's presentation of "I Dreamed a Dream" by Hathaway.
On 24 September 2012, a new poster for the film was released on the film's official Facebook page. The poster featured young Cosette, played by Isabelle Allen. Posters featuring Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Cosette were later released on 12 October, with further posters of Thénardiers and Marius released on 1 November.
Release
Les Misérables was originally going to be released on 7 December 2012 before it was moved to 14 December. However, on 18 September 2012, the film's release date was moved again to 25 December 2012, so as not to conflict with the opening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened on 14 December. Because of this, it opened alongside Django Unchained. Release date for the United Kingdom was 11 January 2013.
On 23 November 2012, Les Misérables was screened for the first time at the Lincoln Center in New York City, which received a standing ovation from the crowd. This was followed by a screening the next day in Los Angeles, which also received positive reviews.
Les Misérables premiered on 5 December at the Empire, Leicester Square in London.Red carpet footage was screened live online in an event hosted by Michael Ball, the original Marius of the West End. The film was released in select IMAX theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal the same day as its domestic theatrical release on 25 December 2012. Les Misérables was later released in international IMAX theatres, beginning on 10 January 2013.
Home media
The film is confirmed for a 22 March 2013 home release on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD. The DVD will contain three featurettes-The Stars of Les Miserables, Creating the Perfect Paris, and The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo's Les Miserables-along with an audio commentary from director Tom Hooper. The Blu-ray contains all DVD features including four additional featurettes-Les Miserables Singing Live, Battle at the Barricade, The West End Connection, and Les Miserables On Location.
Box office
As of 19 February 2013, Les Misérables earned $145,764,425 in North America and $233,300,000 in other territories for a worldwide total of $379,064,425. In North America, Les Misérables opened on 25 December 2012 in 2,808 theatres placing first at the box office with $18.1 million. This amount broke the record for the highest opening day gross for a musical film, previously held by High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and was also the second highest opening day gross for a film released on Christmas Day. It earned $27.3 million in its opening weekend, placing third behind Django Unchained and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
The film was released in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2013 and earned £8.1 ($13.1) million in its opening weekend, making it the largest opening weekend for a musical film, as well as Working Title.
Critical response
Les Misérables has received mostly favourable reviews; the film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes sampled 212 reviews and judged 70% of them to be positive. On Metacritic, the film achieved an average score of 63 out of 100 based on 40 reviews, signifying "generally favourable reviews".
Robbie Collin of the Daily Telegraph gave the film five stars, saying: "Les Misérables is a blockbuster, and the special effects are emotional: explosions of grief; fireballs of romance; million-buck conflagrations of heartbreak. Accordingly, you should see it in its opening week, on a gigantic screen, with a fanatical crowd." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw concurred: "Even as a non-believer in this kind of "sung-through" musical, I was battered into submission by this mesmeric and sometimes compelling film ...". Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times gave a positive review, saying that the film "is a clutch player that delivers an emotional wallop when it counts. You can walk into the theater as an agnostic, but you may just leave singing with the choir."Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "Besides being a feast for the eyes and ears, Les Misérables overflows with humor, heartbreak, rousing action and ravishing romance. Damn the imperfections, it's perfectly marvelous.
Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter said, "As the enduring success of this property has shown, there are large, emotionally susceptible segments of the population ready to swallow this sort of thing, but that doesn't mean it's good."Manohla Dargis of The New York Times said that "[Director Tom] Hooper can be very good with actors. But his inability to leave any lily ungilded—to direct a scene without tilting or hurtling or throwing the camera around—is bludgeoning and deadly. By the grand finale, when tout le monde is waving the French tricolor in victory, you may instead be raising the white flag in exhausted defeat."Justin Chang of Variety had mixed feelings for the film, saying that it "will more than satisfy the show's legions of fans." Chang praised the performances of Jackman, Hathaway, Barks, Tveit and Seyfried (i.e., every leading cast member except Crowe) but said that the film's editing "seems reluctant to slow down and let the viewer simply take in the performances."
Regardless of the reviewer's overall opinion of the film, many of the specific performances were cited for acclaim, particularly that of Anne Hathaway. Hathaway's performance of ballad "I Dreamed a Dream" was met with praise, with many comparing its showstopper-like quality to Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the film Dreamgirls. Christopher Orr from The Atlantic wrote that "Hathaway gives it everything she has, beginning in quiet sorrow before building to a woebegone climax: she gasps, she weeps, she coughs. If you are blown away by the scene—as many will be; it will almost certainly earn Hathaway her first Oscar—this may be the film for you."Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post writes that "The centerpiece of a movie composed entirely of centerpieces belongs to Anne Hathaway, who as the tragic heroine Fantine sings another of the memorable numbers". Joy Tipping from Dallas Morning News described her performance as "angelic". Claudia Puig from USA Today describes her as "superb as the tragic Fantine". Travers felt that "A dynamite Hathaway shatters every heart when she sings how 'life has killed the dream I dreamed.' Her volcanic performance has Oscar written all over it."Lou Lumenick from the New York Post has said that the film is "worth seeing for Hathaway alone".She is widely considered to be the frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Eddie Redmayne has also received considerable praise for his performance with Bloomberg News saying that "Eddie Redmayne—most recently seen as the eager young production assistant in My Week with Marilyn—delivers by far the most moving and memorable performance in the film as the young firebrand Marius, who, along with his fellow students, is caught up in France's political upheavals in the 19th century."
Samantha Barks also received praise for her portrayal of Éponine, with Digital Journal saying: "Samantha Barks plays Éponine with such grace, sweetness, and sadness that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role", while Claudia Puig of USA Today calls her "heartbreakingly soulful", Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times describes her performance as "star-making", and Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com says she "just about steals the film".
Hugh Jackman's performance as Jean Valjean has also been critically acclaimed. Wesley Morris of BostonGlobe.com says, "the charisma’s been stripped to the bone, and it’s a thrilling confirmation of the other kind of star Jackman is". Lisa Kennedy of denverpost.com describes Jackman's performance as "bringing depth to Valjean's tale of offence and grace, of taking responsibility for a child and then letting go," and also says his rendition of "Bring Him Home" has "emotional heft".
Amanda Seyfried has also been praised for her lovable but short performance as Cosette, PasteMagazine.com says "Amanda Seyfried is excellent as the young, idealist loving girl who's life changes dramatically in the 1832 June uprising in Paris", ListFilm says "out of her comes a pretty voice, which is lent urgency by the decision to have the actors sing live on set rather than lip-sync to studio recordings", ViewLondon says she "held her own in a nice way, even if she's largely outsung by her co-stars", Express says she "provides the picture it's romantic heart", and ReelzChannel called her a stand-out performance.
On 10 January 2013, it was announced that the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including the Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Jackman, and Best Supporting Actress for Hathaway. The winners will be announced on 24 February.
Produced by Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Debra Hayward
Cameron Mackintosh
Screenplay by William Nicholson
Alain Boublil
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Herbert Kretzmer
Based on Les Misérables by
Alain Boublil
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Starring Hugh Jackman
Russell Crowe
Anne Hathaway
Amanda Seyfried
Eddie Redmayne
Helena Bonham Carter
Sacha Baron Cohen
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Cinematography Danny Cohen
Editing by Melanie Ann Oliver
Chris Dickens
Studio Working Title Films
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
Relativity Media
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date(s)
5 December 2012 (London, premiere)
11 January 2013 (United Kingdom)
Running time 158 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $61 million
Box office $379,064,425
Les Misérables is a 2012 British musical drama film produced by Working Title Films and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film is based on the musical of the same name by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg which is in turn based on Les Misérables, the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo. The film is directed by Tom Hooper, scripted by William Nicholson, Boublil, Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer, and stars an ensemble cast led by Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried. The film tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who becomes mayor of a town in France. Soon exposed, Valjean agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of the dying Fantine, but as a fugitive must also avoid being captured again by police inspector Javert. The plot spans 17 years and is set against a backdrop of political turmoil, which in the film culminates in the June Rebellion of France.
Development of Les Misérables based on the stage musical began in the late 1980s. After the musical's 25th Anniversary concert in October 2010, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film resumed development. Hooper and Nicholson were approached in March 2011 and the main characters were cast in 2011. Principal photography commenced in March 2012, and took place in various locations including Greenwich, London, Winchester and Portsmouth in Hampshire, England, as well as Gourdon, in France.
Les Misérables premiered in London on 5 December 2012, and was released on 25 December 2012 in the United States, on 26 December 2012 in Australia, and on 11 January 2013 in the United Kingdom. The film has received divided, but generally positive reviews, with many critics praising the cast, especially the acting of Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. The film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Jackman and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for Hathaway. It has also won four BAFTA Awards, including the Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hathaway). It has received eight Academy Award nominations that include Best Picture (the first musical nominated since 2002's winner Chicago), Best Actor for Jackman and Best Supporting Actress for Hathaway.
Production
Development
In 1988, Alan Parker was considered to direct a film adaptation of the Les Misérables musical. However, in 1991, Bruce Beresford signed on to be the film's director.
In 1992, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film would be co-produced by TriStar Pictures. However, the film was abandoned, leaving it stuck in development hell. In 2005, Mackintosh later confirmed that interest in turning the musical into a film adaptation had resumed during the early months of that year. Mackintosh said that he wanted the film to be directed by "someone who has a vision for the show that will put the show's original team, including [Mackintosh], back to work." He also said that he wanted the film audiences to make it "fresh as the actual show [itself]."In 2009, producer Eric Fellner began negotiations with Mackintosh to acquire the film's rights and concluded it near the end of 2011. Fellner, Tim Bevan, and Debra Hayward engaged William Nicholson to write a screenplay for the film. Nicholson wrote the draft within six weeks time.
The DVD/Blu-ray release of Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary Concert confirmed an announcement of the musical's film adaptation. Mackintosh then stated at a press conference that the plans for the film adaptation were being made.
Pre-production
In March 2011, director Tom Hooper began negotiations to direct Les Misérables from the screenplay by William Nicholson. Production on the film officially began in June that year, with Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films co-producing. Having already approached Hooper prior to production with the desire of playing Jean Valjean, Hugh Jackman began negotiations to star in the film alongside Paul Bettany as Javert.Other stars that became attached to the project were Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.
In September 2011, Jackman was officially cast as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe was cast as Javert. The following month, Mackintosh confirmed that Hathaway would play Fantine. For the role, Hathaway allowed her hair to be cut short into a pixie cut on camera for a scene in which her character sells her hair, stating that the lengths she goes to for her roles "don't feel like sacrifices. Getting to transform is one of the best parts of [acting]." The role also required her to lose 25 pounds.
In November 2011, Eddie Redmayne joined the cast as Marius Pontmercy. It was also reported that the shortlist of actresses for the role of Éponine included Scarlett Johansson - who also auditioned for the role of Fantine -, Lea Michele, Taylor Swift, and Evan Rachel Wood. In January 2012, the press reported that Taylor Swift had been officially offered the part, but Swift later revealed that these reports were not entirely accurate. At the end of the month, Cameron Mackintosh made a special appearance during the curtain call of the Oliver! UK tour at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, announcing that the tour's Nancy, Samantha Barks, who had played Éponine in the West End production and in the 25th Anniversary concert, would reprise the role in the film. Barks had been auditioning for 15 weeks up to that point.
Originally, an unknown was sought for the role of Cosette, with an open casting call taking place in New York City in December 2011. However, in January 2012 reports surfaced that Amanda Seyfried had been offered the role instead. Eddie Redmayne confirmed both Seyfried's casting and that of Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier in an interview on 12 January. Hooper confirmed that he would stick to the musical's essentially sung-through form and would thus introduce very little additional dialogue. Hooper also confirmed that the film would not be shot in 3D, expressing his opinion that it would not enhance the emotional narrative of the film and would distract audiences from the storytelling.
Following this announcement, reports surfaced in the press that Sacha Baron Cohen had begun talks to join the the cast as Thénardier and that Aaron Tveit had been cast as Enjolras.bLater that month, the press officially confirmed Tveit's casting as Enjolras. Later, Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle (the original Valjean and Éponine, respectively, in the West End and Broadway productions) had cameos in the film, with Wilkinson playing the Bishop of Digne and Ruffelle playing a prostitute. George Blagden was also cast, as Grantaire. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Front Row, Tom Hooper revealed that Claude-Michel Schönberg will be composing one new song and additional music. The director also expanded on the performers singing live on set, which he felt would eliminate the need to recapture "locked" performances and allow more creative freedom. More details of this were confirmed by Eddie Redmayne in an interview. He stated that the cast would sing to piano tracks (via earpiece) and that the orchestra would be added in post-production.
In February 2012, casting auditions involving extras for the film took place at the University of Portsmouth and Chatham Maritime in Chatham. Several days later, Mackintosh officially confirmed that Bonham Carter would play Madame Thénardier. He also announced that the title of the newly created song for the film is "Suddenly" and that it "beautifully explains what happens when Valjean takes Cosette from the inn and looks after her." At the end of the month, The Sun reported that the long-rumoured Baron Cohen had been cast in the role of Monsieur Thénardier.
The cast began rehearsals in January 2012, with principal photography due to begin in March. The press officially confirmed Baron Cohen's casting during the latter month. No table read took place before filming.
Filming
Tom Hooper directing the second unit of Les Misérables on location in Winchester in April 2012.
With a production budget of $61 million, principal photography of the film began on 8 March 2012 in Gourdon, in France. Filming locations also included Winchester College, Winchester Cathedral Close, Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, Oxford, St Mary the Virgin Church in Ewelme, South Oxfordshire and Pinewood Studios in England. In April 2012, a replica of the Elephant of the Bastille was constructed in Greenwich. In the novel, Gavroche lives in the decaying monument. Footage of Anne Hathaway singing "I Dreamed a Dream", a song from the musical, was shown at CinemaCon on 26 April 2012. On 5 June 2012, Russell Crowe confirmed on Twitter that he had finished filming. He was later followed by Samantha Barks, confirming that all of her scenes had too been completed. On 23 June 2012, Hugh Jackman confirmed that all filming had been completed. Some late filming was carried out in Bath, Somerset, in October 2012 where stunt shots for Javert's suicide scene had to be reshot due to an error found with this footage during post-production. Bath was not the original filming location for this scene, but the late footage was captured at Pulteney Weir, which is unmistakable in the film.
Post-production
The film's vocals were recorded live on set using live piano accompaniments played through earpieces as a guide, with the orchestral accompaniment recorded in post-production, rather than the traditional method where the film's musical soundtracks are usually pre-recorded and played back on set to which actors lip-sync. Production sound mixer Simon Hayes used 50 DPA 4071 lavalier microphones to record the vocals. Hooper explained his choice:
" I just felt ultimately, it was a more natural way of doing it. You know, when actors do dialogue, they have freedom in time, they have freedom in pacing. They can stop for a moment, they can speed up. I simply wanted to give the actors the normal freedoms that they would have. If they need a bit for an emotion or a feeling to form in the eyes before they sing, I can take that time. If they cry, they can cry through a song. When you’re doing it to playback, to the millisecond you have to copy what you do. You have no freedom in the moment – and acting is the illusion of being free in the moment.”
Although this unique live recording method has been stated as "a world's first" by the creative team, several film musicals have used this method before, including early talkies, as lip-syncing wasn't perfected, the 1975 20th Century Fox film At Long Last Love and more recently in the 1995 adaptation of The Fantasticks,in the 2001 film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and in the 2007 film Across the Universe with songs by The Beatles. On 27 August 2012, it was announced that recording sessions for Les Misérables would begin in London on 10 October and featured a 70-piece orchestra. It was also announced that composer Claude-Michel Schönberg was working on writing additional music to underscore the film. On 9 September 2012, Universal Studios executives were granted a viewing of the rough cut of the film without the orchestra. The cut was greeted with "extreme excitement," and Russell Crowe tweeted that he received many excited emails.
Marketing
On 30 May 2012, the film's first teaser trailer debuted online, and later in theatres with Snow White and the Huntsman.[85]
On 20 September 2012, an extended first look was released on the film's official Facebook page. This short introduces and explains Hooper's method of recording vocals live on set, and compares it to the traditional method of pre-recording the vocals in a studio months in advance. Hugh Jackman stated that filming in this way allows him more creative freedom with the material and that he "only has to worry about acting it." Both Hooper and the actors believe that this choice of production method will make the film feel much more emotional, raw, and real. The actors praised Hooper for his method and provide brief interviews throughout the video. Hooper mentions, "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to do something genuinely groundbreaking."Bits of Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, and Samantha Barks singing were received very positively, especially the teaser trailer's presentation of "I Dreamed a Dream" by Hathaway.
On 24 September 2012, a new poster for the film was released on the film's official Facebook page. The poster featured young Cosette, played by Isabelle Allen. Posters featuring Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Cosette were later released on 12 October, with further posters of Thénardiers and Marius released on 1 November.
Release
Les Misérables was originally going to be released on 7 December 2012 before it was moved to 14 December. However, on 18 September 2012, the film's release date was moved again to 25 December 2012, so as not to conflict with the opening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened on 14 December. Because of this, it opened alongside Django Unchained. Release date for the United Kingdom was 11 January 2013.
On 23 November 2012, Les Misérables was screened for the first time at the Lincoln Center in New York City, which received a standing ovation from the crowd. This was followed by a screening the next day in Los Angeles, which also received positive reviews.
Les Misérables premiered on 5 December at the Empire, Leicester Square in London.Red carpet footage was screened live online in an event hosted by Michael Ball, the original Marius of the West End. The film was released in select IMAX theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal the same day as its domestic theatrical release on 25 December 2012. Les Misérables was later released in international IMAX theatres, beginning on 10 January 2013.
Home media
The film is confirmed for a 22 March 2013 home release on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD. The DVD will contain three featurettes-The Stars of Les Miserables, Creating the Perfect Paris, and The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo's Les Miserables-along with an audio commentary from director Tom Hooper. The Blu-ray contains all DVD features including four additional featurettes-Les Miserables Singing Live, Battle at the Barricade, The West End Connection, and Les Miserables On Location.
Box office
As of 19 February 2013, Les Misérables earned $145,764,425 in North America and $233,300,000 in other territories for a worldwide total of $379,064,425. In North America, Les Misérables opened on 25 December 2012 in 2,808 theatres placing first at the box office with $18.1 million. This amount broke the record for the highest opening day gross for a musical film, previously held by High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and was also the second highest opening day gross for a film released on Christmas Day. It earned $27.3 million in its opening weekend, placing third behind Django Unchained and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
The film was released in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2013 and earned £8.1 ($13.1) million in its opening weekend, making it the largest opening weekend for a musical film, as well as Working Title.
Critical response
Les Misérables has received mostly favourable reviews; the film review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes sampled 212 reviews and judged 70% of them to be positive. On Metacritic, the film achieved an average score of 63 out of 100 based on 40 reviews, signifying "generally favourable reviews".
Robbie Collin of the Daily Telegraph gave the film five stars, saying: "Les Misérables is a blockbuster, and the special effects are emotional: explosions of grief; fireballs of romance; million-buck conflagrations of heartbreak. Accordingly, you should see it in its opening week, on a gigantic screen, with a fanatical crowd." The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw concurred: "Even as a non-believer in this kind of "sung-through" musical, I was battered into submission by this mesmeric and sometimes compelling film ...". Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times gave a positive review, saying that the film "is a clutch player that delivers an emotional wallop when it counts. You can walk into the theater as an agnostic, but you may just leave singing with the choir."Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "Besides being a feast for the eyes and ears, Les Misérables overflows with humor, heartbreak, rousing action and ravishing romance. Damn the imperfections, it's perfectly marvelous.
Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter said, "As the enduring success of this property has shown, there are large, emotionally susceptible segments of the population ready to swallow this sort of thing, but that doesn't mean it's good."Manohla Dargis of The New York Times said that "[Director Tom] Hooper can be very good with actors. But his inability to leave any lily ungilded—to direct a scene without tilting or hurtling or throwing the camera around—is bludgeoning and deadly. By the grand finale, when tout le monde is waving the French tricolor in victory, you may instead be raising the white flag in exhausted defeat."Justin Chang of Variety had mixed feelings for the film, saying that it "will more than satisfy the show's legions of fans." Chang praised the performances of Jackman, Hathaway, Barks, Tveit and Seyfried (i.e., every leading cast member except Crowe) but said that the film's editing "seems reluctant to slow down and let the viewer simply take in the performances."
Regardless of the reviewer's overall opinion of the film, many of the specific performances were cited for acclaim, particularly that of Anne Hathaway. Hathaway's performance of ballad "I Dreamed a Dream" was met with praise, with many comparing its showstopper-like quality to Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the film Dreamgirls. Christopher Orr from The Atlantic wrote that "Hathaway gives it everything she has, beginning in quiet sorrow before building to a woebegone climax: she gasps, she weeps, she coughs. If you are blown away by the scene—as many will be; it will almost certainly earn Hathaway her first Oscar—this may be the film for you."Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post writes that "The centerpiece of a movie composed entirely of centerpieces belongs to Anne Hathaway, who as the tragic heroine Fantine sings another of the memorable numbers". Joy Tipping from Dallas Morning News described her performance as "angelic". Claudia Puig from USA Today describes her as "superb as the tragic Fantine". Travers felt that "A dynamite Hathaway shatters every heart when she sings how 'life has killed the dream I dreamed.' Her volcanic performance has Oscar written all over it."Lou Lumenick from the New York Post has said that the film is "worth seeing for Hathaway alone".She is widely considered to be the frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Eddie Redmayne has also received considerable praise for his performance with Bloomberg News saying that "Eddie Redmayne—most recently seen as the eager young production assistant in My Week with Marilyn—delivers by far the most moving and memorable performance in the film as the young firebrand Marius, who, along with his fellow students, is caught up in France's political upheavals in the 19th century."
Samantha Barks also received praise for her portrayal of Éponine, with Digital Journal saying: "Samantha Barks plays Éponine with such grace, sweetness, and sadness that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role", while Claudia Puig of USA Today calls her "heartbreakingly soulful", Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times describes her performance as "star-making", and Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com says she "just about steals the film".
Hugh Jackman's performance as Jean Valjean has also been critically acclaimed. Wesley Morris of BostonGlobe.com says, "the charisma’s been stripped to the bone, and it’s a thrilling confirmation of the other kind of star Jackman is". Lisa Kennedy of denverpost.com describes Jackman's performance as "bringing depth to Valjean's tale of offence and grace, of taking responsibility for a child and then letting go," and also says his rendition of "Bring Him Home" has "emotional heft".
Amanda Seyfried has also been praised for her lovable but short performance as Cosette, PasteMagazine.com says "Amanda Seyfried is excellent as the young, idealist loving girl who's life changes dramatically in the 1832 June uprising in Paris", ListFilm says "out of her comes a pretty voice, which is lent urgency by the decision to have the actors sing live on set rather than lip-sync to studio recordings", ViewLondon says she "held her own in a nice way, even if she's largely outsung by her co-stars", Express says she "provides the picture it's romantic heart", and ReelzChannel called her a stand-out performance.
On 10 January 2013, it was announced that the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including the Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Jackman, and Best Supporting Actress for Hathaway. The winners will be announced on 24 February.
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