Film makers are starting to use logo designs in movies to encourage higher returns on films.
A good film logo on a big movie could see film makers rake it in via advertising and promotional items such as t shirts, mugs and other means. The most recent example of this has to be blockbuster movie Watchmen’. The films logo of ‘The Comedian’ (a yellow smiley face with blood trickling down) has helped the film become widely recognised, encouraged viewers and branding for merchandise.
This is not a new development for the film world, Star Wars is probably the best example. Although the movie brought in huge profits for the film producers it was the branded products, toys etc.. most of which sporting the films logo that made the big money!
A good Logo Design can separate similar types of movies being categorised as the same and helps it establish its individual identity. Movies like Troy and Alexander are victims of this kind of categorisation which did end up leading to decreased interest from potential viewers, where as 300 was pretty much in a league of its own and was a very popular choice amongst the cinema watching public.
Making money from films is tough these days with illegal downloading being the main culprit so every avenue possible should be adopted to get the most return of investment - a films branding can contribute towards this!
As most of us know, David Tennant is due to leave Doctor Who at the end of the current series this year and producers thought his final eposide on the show should be spectacular!
Its been arranged for many of the the old cast members to return such as Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, Catherine Tate. Even John Simm will appear in last show reprising his role as the Master - Doctor Who’s nemisis.
Although expected, this episode will also see The Doctor regenerate into the eleventh Doctor Who - Matt Smith.
An insider said:
“This will be the most exciting episode Doctor Who have ever done. We really wanted to get all the companions back on board as a fitting send-off to David and of all the enemies for him to face in his final episode, it makes sense for The Master to be the main one”
“Getting Billie to agree is a real coup, but she loved working on the show so much it didn’t take much convincing.”
Well its probably been the most publicised fight against cancer but unfortunately Jade Goody died on Mothers day morning aged of 27 in her sleep at her home in Essex.
The X Big Brother star was diagnosed with cancer back in august 2008, it was only confirmed to be terminal last month after they had discovered that it had spread to her liver, bowel and groin. This lead to her rapid decline in health. She died in her sleep at her home in Essex.
Jackiey Budden confirmed:
“Jade died at 3.55am this morning. Family and friends would like privacy at last.”
She was very open to the press about her final months battling with the illness which unintentionally encouraged many young women to also get screened for cancer.
Her publicist Max Clifford said:
“I think she’s going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives.”
The main reason of course for her selling her story to newspaper and magazines was to secure the future of her young sons Bobby, five, and Freddie, four.
Clifford added:
“She was a very, very brave girl. And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life - full on, with a lot of courage.”
Movie themed parties are as popular as ever!
There has been a large increase in themed parties nowadays however, its not the 80’s themes or standard fancy dress that seem to be the most popular - its the movie themed events that seem to be bringing the most punters into a venue.
Parties based around classics like Harry Potter, Halloween and Rocky themes seem to be the best choice for some smaller venues but the James Bond theme is the big hitter for most Corporate Entertainment Events and especially birthday parties for clients that desire a more classy feel to their gathering - more for 21st birthdays than others.
Superhero movie themes are also becoming more of a popular choose among younger crowds but is seeing increasing interest in stag do’s as well. This comes as no surprise with various Superhero movies coming out in recent years (Superman, Batman, The Hulk etc..) and many to come.
A list of a few of the most popular party themes are below:-
1. Harry Potter Theme
2. Rocky Theme
3. Halloween Theme
4. James Bond Theme
5. Star Wars Theme
6. Superman Theme
7. Mission Impossible Theme
8. Jaws Theme
9. The God Father Theme
Jade Goody has but only days to live according to doctors and she has now felt the time is right to tell her kids that she is ‘going to heaven’.
The x big brother star who has terminally ill cancer, spoke to her two young sons Bobby, five, and four-year-old Freddie during one of their final visits to her bedside.
Max Clifford publicist said:-
“The boys went to see her and she was aware of them for a brief moment or two. She saw them and she smiled,”
“She has put her house in order and faced up to everything in an incredibly brave way. Now we’re waiting for the inevitable. It could be at any time, we just don’t know.”
Jade said this to her sons:-
“Mummy’s going to heaven soon. I’m going to be a star up in the sky, so when you are looking up you will be able to see me and know I’m there.
“Mummy’s going to be up there looking over you. Close your eyes and you can talk to me.”
Jade almost didn’t have this chance to speak to her children as on Friday her condition deteriorated rapidly, her husband Jack hurried to her bed side.
Karl Bishop, 22, is jailed for life for the murder of Harry Potter actor Rob Knox.
Bishop stabbed Rob Knox five times outside the Metro Bar in London last year and wounded three of his friends - one of which was stabbed in the neck causing permanent spinal damage.
The minimum sentence he will serve is 20 years in prison with no option of parole before then! however, he has also been given another 3 concurrent life sentences for the injuries he inflicted on Knox’s friends.
Mr Justice Bean sentenced Bishop - he said:
“lack of regret let alone remorse was truly chilling”.
“I do not think it is proved that you intended to kill Robert Knox. The truth is that you simply could not care less whether you killed him or not.”
Bishop denied murder and other counts of wounding even though eye witnesses watched the event occur. He claimed that he was acting in self defence even though there was overwhelming evidence suggesting the opposite and that Knox was in fact protecting his younger brother from Bishop when he was killed.
Knox’s father said:-
“We are enormously relieved justice has been done, although there is nothing that will compensate for the shattering sense of loss.”
It also came to light that Bishop has previously been involved in a knife-point robbery but had not been charged.
Knox had just finished filming on Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince as Marcus Belby - due to be released in July 2009.
Many Independent film makers struggle to make money from their projects - not only is it a risky industry where many new movies flop on a regular basis but also down to the fact that initial funding for a new film is not investigated out properly.
Obviously the best way to make money from film making is to actually sell the film - if possible on screen or via DVDs etc.. but to do this, it has to get noticed by a distributor. Big names are always going to be easily seen by them but for new movies from people not hugely known in the industry (yet), its a fight to get the movie recognised.
The most common way for independent film makers cover their initial outlay on producing the movie is to fund the project personally. This involves saving up over a large amount of time or by taking personal loans. This however is never a good idea because after paying back interest on loans etc.. generally means the filmmaker is out of pocket (unless its a big hit which is rare).
A better way to approach funding rather than banking on loans is to find a funding bodies designed to support or average filmmaker but be warned - they will only accept strong applications and in depth knowledge in what you are doing will be essential, they will spot people who haven’t done their research. Scottish Screen, the UK Film Council and Film4 are examples of these and regularly provide start up filmmakers with grants and other schemes etc.
The most ideal way of course is to approach the bigger companies to get your film funded or a sponsorship deal with little risk to yourself. They will expect something in return though like return on the investment, use of your services etc.. amongst other things, so before going down this route, you need to know what you are prepared to offer them.
Once funding is sorted and the film produced, other avenues to sell the movie is another way to encourage a better return from the film. As mentioned before, DVDs and cinema are the most common but many filmmakers have been drawn to the online marketing like paying per download and selling DVDs on their web sites etc.. Teaser trailers using social networking sites are also a good way to get the movie noticed.
With the inherited ease of downloading films and movies on the internet, DVD copying software has become a must have on any computer nowadays.
This has however caused problems for companies such as block busters and other movie rental companies especially in the current economic climate - why spend £4 renting a movie for a night when you can download it for much cheaper and (if using a decent DVD copying programme) the quality is just as good not to mention the fact that scratched discs causing poor quality are not an issue as every movie would be burned onto a brand new disc.
DVD coping software has had problems though such as the case against RealNetworks who were forced to stop selling RealDVD software by a US court a few years back. The company was sued by six major movie studios when the DVD copying programme was launched.
Although DVD copying software is useful when looking at the odd DVD every now and again for personal use, mass production via this route is still way off being produced - so DVD Copying firms have nothing to worry about with some them holding major contracts with the big players in the industry.
Channel 4 Reality TV show Boys And Girls Alone has raised concerned with childcare specialists. They have called for the show to be canceled due to ‘emotionally abusing’ participants..
The programme sees kids left in cottages in Cornwall where they live on there own, without their parents for 2 weeks. Channel 4 have already shown two episodes with only two left to air however, Cornwall County Council have written directly to Channel 4 and TV watchdog ‘Ofcom’ in an attempt to get the final two installments axed.
The letter was written by Ruby Parry, Cornwall County Council’s assistant director for social care and family services. It says that the experiment raised safeguard issues and affects the ‘emotional and psychological welfare of the children’.
The head of factual entertainment at Channel 4, Andrew Mackenzie has defended the show saying that the children’s welfare was top priority whilst filming and all the episodes were made within Ofcom guidelines.
Have channel 4 gone too far this time or is this just another case of ‘political correctness’ gone mad, comments are welcome…..
Nicolette Sheridan who plays , the man eater of wisteria lane has confirmed that she is to exit the hit American TV show Desperate Housewives at the end of season five.
Sheridan, aged 45, was one the original cast members of the show along side Marcia Cross (Bree Hodge), Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayers), Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo) and Eva Longoria Parker (Gabrielle Solis) in the ABC drama.
There has been no news released on how she will leave the show as the storyline has been kept secret. Her final episode will not be shown on US TV until April.
“She had a great time on the show and is looking forward to her next project,” her rep told People.