Financial Contexts in the Film Industry

What is a blockbuster?:

The definition of a blockbuster is ‘a thing of great power or size, in particular a film, book, or other product that is a great commercial success.’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(entertainment). This shows that a blockbuster is a much higher valued production. For example, the work rate along a larger crew is higher as every minor detail and aspect is cared for and made to the best of the workers ability. There is also a much larger budget, meaning more money to place into the production of the film. The high reputation of the film means the crew knows they will earn a large amount of money on release, leaving more choice with paying for expensive equipment as the box office is trusted to make profits.

What is an independent film?:

The definition of an independent film is ‘a feature film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies.’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_film). This shows that independent films are lower budget and less known films. Independent films do not obtain the high budgets and equipment of a blockbuster movie, as less expectation is on their shoulders. Due to this fact, they cannot rely on the box office revenue to gain profits after the production. This leaves less freedom of choice in how and what they do to film the project. Starting off with a low budget means there is a higher chance of a loss due to the lower reputation of the director and the film.

THE DIFFERENCES:

Blockbusters are mainstream films with big budgets made by major Hollywood studios. Studio films have high production values and star actors meaning better quality acting, camera work and post production goes into to creating the final project. A bigger budget means the choice of employing better actors and actresses for the roles. Better SFX also plays a key role in the post production side, especially in futuristic films which require shots that break the laws of physics. Bigger crews also means the work is shared out, meaning more care is taken in every single aspect and role in the production of the movie.

Independent films have smaller budgets and sometimes as a result, lower production values. They are less likely to have so called A-List actors and actresses working for them. Another factor in an independent film is smaller marketing. However, with an  independent film, there more creative freedom as it is solely you creating the project. This also means the film is less genre oriented as there is a lot more room to create a mixed project as you are not following someones orders.

Comparing Budgets:

Blockbuster, Blade Runner 2049 – Box office = 252.7 million USD

Independent, The Killing of a Sacred Deer – Box office = 2.8 million USD

These box office results show a extremely large gap in the difference of the two budgets. This also shows how different blockbusters and independent films are. Even though the blade runner movie has a much higher box office, the profits between both remain similar. This is as no matter the budget, the profits will not show as large as a difference as the blade runner began with an insanely high budget compared to the independent film.

How the films are made:

Blade runner 2049:

This shows the use of green screens and extreme special effects in order to create the genuine look of flying cars and mind blowing sets. The technology used is top of the range in order to create the best work of special effects ever seen.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer:

This film doesn’t require the insane amounts of green screens and CGI. This therefore means that the film did not cost as much to create meaning it cannot contend with the high budget, A-list actor films such as Blade runner 2049.

How they deal with social issues:

Blade runner deals with the social issue of slavery. A quote in the film is “What does it mean to be human?” The film conveys the idea that simple diagnostic criteria for deciding who or what is or is not human are bound to fail and that what it means to be human isn’t so much an objective fact that’s out there in the world waiting for us to discover, but rather it has more to do with our attitudes toward one another. Being human is more like a social construct than it is an objective fact (https://psmag.com/news/meaning-of-life-blade-runner-2049). This shows that the slavery portrayed in the film suggests that the life of the workers is not sufficient enough to be classed as humans. This tackles the issue of slavery by suggesting the way slaves are treated is inhumane and remorseless.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer deals with the social issue of crime and alcoholism. The film deals with these issues by portraying and embedding them into the story line. For example, crime is shown by the younger character Martin, as he is shown causing pain, distress and even death to the main characters family. This is all shown in a sadistic, inhumane and criminal manner as he commits to killing one of the family members in order to balance out the karma with the death of his father. He blames the main character Steven for the death of his father during surgery, therefore leaving him in an eerily psychotic behaviour. This tackles crime by showing the results and the aftermath of committing it, e.g. the effect on the family. The film also deals with alcoholism, as alcohol is they key reasoning for the death of Martins father during surgery. This yet again shows the effect and aftermath of the social issue, showing that even a minimal amount of alcohol can lead to a mistake especially in the surgeons line of work.