MEST1 Section B: Institution research

Ill Manors: Funding and production budget

What was the estimated budget for Ill Manors?

£100,000

Where did the money come from? List the different organisations and companies that contributed funding to Ill Manors.

He was refused funding as he was an inexperienced director. To gain the necessary experience, Plan B wrote and directed his own short film Michelle in 2008 which was financed by himself with £4000 from the remaining recording advance from his record label and an inheritance from his grandfather

How did the Ill Manors budget compare to a Hollywood blockbuster such as Skyfall?

An Hollywood blockbuster has its budget in its millions,such as Skyfall which has a budget of $150–200 million. This is due to the production company that each film is with, in this case it would be Eon productions. 

A Field In England: Funding and production budget

What was the estimated budget for A Field In England?
£300,000

Why did A Field In England manage to secure a higher budget than Ill Manors?

Ben Wheatley is an established director where as Ben Drew was not. Ill Manors was Ben's first film and he was viewed as a inexperienced director, whereas prior to A Field in England Ben Wheatley had directed other successful films.

Where did the money come from?  

Film 4 fully financed the whole film.

Film London and Microwave Film
Ill Manors was created partly thanks to Film London and Microwave Film. Revise the key details from your MEST2 research by answering the following questions:

What is Film London and why does it exist?

Film London is a non for profit agency which is primarily supported by national and regional Government. Film London exists "to ensure that the Capital is a thriving centre for creative industries sector that enrich the city's businesses and its people". Film London focuses of finding new talent in directors and helps them to produce there first feature film.

What is the purpose of Microwave Film?

The purpose of Microwave is to help fund films. They also give development and mentoring support to all of the short-listed projects. Microwave aims to support bold and surprising films that will excite audiences and contribute to the rich landscape of British film. 

Choose one film funded by Microwave film and explain how it compares to Ill Manors (similarities and differences)

Another film funded by Microwave films is Shifty. The similarities include; both involve drugs, targets urban youth demographics, both focus on a social issue, star the same actor. Differences include; smaller cast, focuses on two main protagonists, Shifty has a humour element to it. 

Vertigo Films and Warp Films

Your BFI Study Day on UK cinema focused on two important production companies in the British film industry: Vertigo Films and Warp Films. Revise what you learned on the trip by answering the following questions:

What are the most successful films Vertigo Films has been involved in?

The most successful films Vertigo Films have been involved with include; The Football Factory, Its All Gone Pete Tong, London to Brighton, Pudsey the dog: The Movie 

Why do you think those films were successful with their audience?
Vertigo took fresh and original ideas that made the films unique to watch for audiences.

What different film genres has Vertigo Films worked with?
Crime, sport, drama, comedy.

Where did Warp Films start out?

Warp films started out as a off shoot electric music label, Warp was already established as Warp X developing low budget films and grew based on a  bedroom producer ethos.

What are the most successful films produced by Warp Films?

The most successful films include; Dead mans shoes, '71, The Last Panthers, Snowtown.

How have Warp Films helped to develop new talent in the film industry?

Warp Films have helped to develop new talent by running on a bedroom producer ethos. They look out of amateur film makers know how to support creative people and deliver visionary TV drama. 

What titles have Vertigo and Warp Films produced that are similar to Ill Manors? Explain the similarities - it could be in terms of audience, location, content or genre.
I would consider the film '71 as similar to Ill Manors.  The similarities include; in terms of their genre, both are crime and violent related films, both focus on a social issue, both trying to send a message to the audience.

Certification: BBFC

One final aspect of institution is the certificate a film is awarded for exhibition. This is decided by the British Board of Film Classification. Revise the key details regarding the BBFC from your MEST2 research by answering the following questions:

How does the certification process work at the BBFC?

A group of examiners sit down to watch the film and they rate it against the following three checklist points; general context - plot, characters, outline of individual scenes, timings of key moments, including camera angles, type of shots, on- and off-screen moments and bad language, sex and drug references.

Think about the certificate of Ill Manors (18 certificate). What is deemed acceptable for an 18 certificate? 

Factors that are acceptable in a 18 certificate film include; 

• Very strong violence
•  Frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
•  Strong portrayals of sexual activity
•  Scenes of sexual violence
•  Strong horror
•  Strong blood and gore
•  Real sex (in some circumstances)
•  Discriminatory language and behaviour

What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate? 

The difference between the 18 certificate and 15 certificate is that films rated 15 have restrictions as to how much of the above can be shown and some of it can't be shown at all. 15 certificates are suitable for people 15 years of age and over. 

Why was Ill Manors given an 18 certificate? How might this have affected the Ill Manors target audience and commercial success?

Ill Manors was given an 18 certificate because the film contains strong language which were delivered with aggression and violence. Therefore, exceeding the guidelines for the 15 certificate. This could have affected the film as it was targeted at a slightly younger audience but they would not have been able to see it at the cinema. However, despite this it didn't effect its commercial success.

What was the certificate for A Field In England? Why was this certificate awarded?
The film contains very strong language throughout, there are scenes of fighting, including shooting, graphic images, sex references, and uses of drugs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for a film in being given an 18 certificate?

Films given a 18 certificate could limit the success and profitability of the film as when released in cinemas, younger audiences would not be able to see it.