Contemporary 'Film Culture'

Cinema going
For:

• You get high quality picture and sound and you don't get that at home
• It's a night out
• Many cinemas now show 3D and sing-a-long films at special times
• At some Vue cinemas they do "Gold Class" bookings where you get leather seats, waiter service and bar. The website is http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/facilities_detail.asp?SessionID=457BF2F002764C4FABC9FBE4743943F7&cn=1&ci=49&ln=1&did=7017

Against:

• more comfortable sitting at home
• can't pause and do something and then come back to it at the cinema but you can at home
• costs lots for the food
• you don't really see the same film more than twice because of the cost of the tickets
• Dvds are cheap so they are easy to get and can be watched again and again and again
• Downloads are getting to be HD (high definition) and are cheap and quick
• Certification

Online viewing

• Youtube

Home cinema

• VHS
• DVD
• Downloaded
  

Ways in which the film experience is amplified through media convergence

• Orange phone company offer their customers a 2 for 1 ticket offer for Wednesdays
• Saying you could see the film in HD, 3D or Sing-Along special screenings
• Papers show viewing times for different cinemas and may have a mini advert attached to it say how they have new screens or seating
• Lots of trailers for different films on the TV. Use different trailers for the same film to make it see more exciting

Star Image

There are many famous film stars and their image is put to the audience ina many different ways by both the industry and the fans. I am going to focus many on Brad Pitt.




The Industry

Within the industry he has been circulated greatly, starring in many films including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Burn After Reading and Mr and Mrs Smith. All these films have done well. With this in mind a director could look at these films and use Brad Pitt for theirs as it could bring them in extra money at the box-office due to his popularity.

Brad also appearing on TV programmes could also add to his star status making him more popular.

Having gone out with Jennifer Aniston (famous due to Friends) and in a long-term relationship with Angelina Jolie (famous due to the Tomb Raider) have also boosted his stardom. The paparazzi always in his life exploits all that happens so he's always there in some way or another whether it's magazines or newspapers.

Fans

The most obvious thing that fans do is set up fan websites for their chosen star. This is not exception for Brad Pitt. Here are a few:

• http://bradpittfan.com/
• http://bradpittweb.com/
• http://www.westlord.com/bradpitt/
• http://www.simplybrad.com/
• http://www.sitevip.net/brad_pitt/

Anotheer way in which fans can boost Brad's stardom is simply via word of mouth. If a fan goes to see a film he's in then they can say how good it is and then their friends can go and see it, etc.