MEST1: Section B: Independent case study:

The basics:

1. ) The name of the film, Spectre, well known in the mainstream film industry, and known as the twenty-forth James Bond film is directed by Sam Mendes. Notable stars include Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes.
2. ) Spectre was released in 26 October 2015 in the UK, and 6 November 2015 in the US.
3. ) From a first view standpoint of the trailer, the obvious genre would seem to be Action/thriller, simply from identifying conventions such as the involvement of weapons, suggesting enigma codes that scream violence. Other things such as the non-diegetic, heroic and epic music, accompanied by fast paced, montage-like clips put together is perfect when creating an action/thriller movie. The mis-en-scene of the protagonist's costume, a tuxedo also connotes a man with power, means business, etc.
4. ) From Rotten Tomatoes, the website's official score was 64%, just very similar to the audience's score too, of 63%. The critic's consensus was: Spectre nudges Daniel Craig's rebooted Bond closer to the glorious, action-driven spectacle of earlier entries, although it's admittedly reliant on established 007 formula. 

From IMDb, the overall score was 6.9/10, lower than it's previous sequel, Skyfall with a rating of 7.8/10 in 2012.

Broadcast:

1. ) From a few seconds in, we can identify a linear narrative, starting from a largely populated city, while disguised to conceal their identity, we as the audience definitely know that they're spies or wanted. The mis-en-scene of James Bond, the protagonist is also shown to be wearing a tuxedo, and this connotes a figure with power, assertion, dominance etc, and this accompanied by the non-digetic, epic music emphasizes his character more. In addition to this, the props should also be taken into consideration, knowing that weapons such as guns, grenade launchers, etc are being used, all that denote violence, therefore is supportive of it's genre that is thriller/action. As a result, the target audience ages may range in the higher end of the spectrum, simply due to the involvement of guns, violence, etc, acts of terrorism possible, however seeing that there is no involvement of drugs, sex, profanity language, it is unlikely to be 18+ by assumption. The rating by BBFC is PG13+. 
2. ) 

Above is the Bond24 Announcement video, it is sort of like a press conference and teaser to the film, explaining what to expect from the film, the cast, the plot, the production stages, etc, all presented from the director himself, Sam Mendes. This helps promote the film as the film isn't a sudden release, but more of a hype build up.

Above is from the chat show famously known, The Ellen Show. Daniel Craig "James Bond" discusses the film with Ellen, but essentially it gives us information about his own personal opinions of the movie, and whether or not if he wanted to continue and make another one, to which his response is still unknown. This helps promote the film as the Ellen Show, a very popular talk show institute can direct it's audience to the Spectre's film audience too. 

3.) These broadcast promotions definitely use stars to promote the film as it sort of creates a synergy between their own talk show's, interviews', audience to the actual film's audience. It also sort of creates a mutual support between the two, because the two are involved with each other.

Print:

1. ) "Daniel Craig has grown into the role of the British spy with flair and sang-froid and this inventive, intelligent and complex new outing showcases him brilliantly." The Guardian

"At times clunky, Spectre is still utterly gorgeous, always compelling and the ultimate proof that Daniel Craig is the best James Bond of all time." Cinemablend

"Following the soaring success of Skyfall, couldnt be in ruder health. Sam Mendes second consecutive Bond outing again passes its physical with flying colors." Variety

1. 2)  

This poster above is simple and straight, it states the date as seen, "November 6th", and is a simple promotion for Spectre. It leaves no room for other images than the essential information needed - the film name, franchise, and release date.

Another example of this is from a billboard:

Billboards are a great way of promoting a film as they're big and clear to see, and more significantly placed in populated areas for people to see, example in this case, in a car park. 

3.) 

This print advert above communicates to the audience, simply from the first big and bold quote given "Best bond ever", along with the it's rating of 5 stars. From this, the audience can use a shorthand identification for how good the movie is, especially more convincing when it is said by critically acclaimed companies. This is therefore a demonstration of Medhurt's theory of shorthand identification. 

E-media:

1. ) Social media has a huge influence on Spectre's popularity without a doubt. The most significant input of this are from Twitter and Facebook, but less likely from social media's like Instagram, where it is mainly focused on sharing pictures, although there is the caption feature. Twitter, however uses lots of links on the James Bond, 007 page, creating a synergy of links. It is made clear that Spectre is out, from just having the background as a poster of it. This is the same for Facebook, however where there are more pictures, but still raises awareness for Spectre.
2. ) The official "007" James Bond website has it's own dedicated, sub-website. The Spectre site includes sections such as "Trailers & Tv spots" that link to YouTube, creating and leading to an even more popular social media. There is then the "Shop" section, where 007 may be able to make more revenue.      
3. ) Examples of the two-step-flow theory is demonstrated almost every time when celebrities or journalists share something about Spectre in social media. However, this of course may be both negative and positive views, even though the audience may not have their own view of it. Several tweets include celebrities praising the film, and then there are the "fun" tweets.               

Audience:

1. ) The official age rating for Spectre by the BBFC, as stated on the IMDb site is PG-13. However, taking into account that Spectre is sort of a realism type of film, although including bizarre explosions, props etc that you wouldn't normally see. Psychographics wise, as a result of the amount of action in the film, it would probably fall under those group of people who just want entertainment.
2. ) Cross-media promotional campaigns refer and creates synergies between the two, giving each other mutual support, and also supports this audience for what the movie is about.
3. ) Audience pleasures include entertainment, knowing that Spectre is an action film, therefore the users and gratifications that the audience identify perhaps the British conventions.
4. ) Similar films the audience would enjoy would obviously be the previous franchises of the James Bond, 007 series, however similar films that include lots of action, possibly a little bit of realism would be films such as The Bourne Identity.

Institution:

1. ) Spectre was produced by the production company Eon Productions, and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures & Colombia Pictures.
2. ) There are two distribution companies as stated shortly previously - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Colombia Pictures. MGMP has produced films such as Pink Panther 2, 21 Jump Street, Skyfall, significantly. Colombia Pictures - Goosebumps, Furry, The Equalizer, and many more.
3. ) Both distribution companies have in fact distributed previous James Bond movies, and they do offer films similar to the film series, such as 2012, Jump etc.
4. ) The budget for Spectre was $245-250 million.
5. ) Spectre ended up with a box office of $880.7 million. Reasons may be just to the sole and objective fact that the previous franchises of the film were popular to begin with, therefore the chances of it's newly released would be the same.
6. ) Spectre became the first Bond theme to reach number one in the UK Single Charts. The generated income from the UK was $135.5 million and the income from North America was $200.1 million. Population from these two countries may have been a significant factor, however acknowledging that Spectre IS a British movie, perhaps Americans could be interested by the culture of it.  
7. ) Spectre was given a 12A.

Representation:

1. ) The obvious representation of the British culture group appears throughout Spectre, also seeing that it is in fact a British film, perhaps the conventions, culture, etc are more accurate.
2. ) The "Britishness" of the film starts off with the simple fact that all or most of the actors are depicted to be British in Spectre. However, locations do include foreign countries such as Morocco, Italy, Mexico, but then again, there is London.
3. ) The representation of Britain in Spectre no way near poses and reflects the Britain that we see in Ill Manors, Ill Manors exposes the ghetto, urban, socially deprived, anti-social behavior from young teenagers. So, Ill Manors sort of shows the bad side of London to an extent, whereas Spectre focuses more on the upper class, etc.
4. ) Ideologies presented by Spectre may be solely propaganda, taking into account that the movie plot does include secret organizations, criminal activity, etc, all sorts of links that connect with secrecy, hence politics, hence corruption, etc.

Both Spectre and A Field In England are British films, however the main distinction is the budget costs, obviously Spectre reaches to a level that similar to Hollywood standards, unlike AFIE, where it is an art house film, meaning significantly lower budget in respect.