James Franco's former NYU students' film 'The Color of Time' received a decent amount of views, but reviewed to be terrible.

Resource
James Franco starred in his former NYU students' film 'The Color of Time'

Citation
Sacks, E. (2014, November 30). James Franco stars in his NYU students' film. Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/james-franco-stars-nyu-students-film-article-1.2022102

Summary
     'The Color of Time' was mainly created by a couple former NYU students and brought along James Franco to not only star in, but also help direct. The film gained a sufficient amount of popularity, but unfortunately had an average rating of 3.5/10 according to Rotten Tomatoes. This student film was fortunate and received help in getting some A-list actors to be casted such as, Mila Kunis, Jessica Chastain, Zach Braff, Henry Hopper and Bruce Campbell. One of the main reasons it was able to get its audience was due to the casting of these famous actors. 

Quotes
• "Franco rounded up a band of his students and several former classmates from his own time at the NYU program, also enlisting famous acting peers like Mila Kunis and Jessica Chastain"

• '"The budget was so low on this film, that I drove the first equipment truck with one of the line producers from New York to Detroit through a blizzard" Shruti Ganguli, 32'

Reflection
     The film advertised seemingly to be this remarkable artistic piece featuring some of our favorite actors turned into a disappointment to most. 'The Color of Time' gave excitement to many indie film fans hoping to have all of the perfect artistic elements, plus having a great set of actors meant that it had to be a good film, right? Thats where you were fooled. The NYU students were lucky to have been able to partner with James Franco and giving them easy access to add the A-list actors, but didn't receive their expected reviews.
     This comes to show how beneficial it is to have these type of actors in a film tagging along all of their twitter followers alone to watch it. The celebrities are constantly circling around some other TV outlets, such as, going on talk shows giving them a chance to advertise the film even more.  Looking past the reviews for the film it still was able to receive a decent amount of fame and was a good learning lesson for these up coming directors, of what i can assume, from NYU.

'Boyhood', Expandable to a Wider Audience

Resource
'Boyhood’ to Grow Old with Paramount on Home Entertainment Platforms

Citation
Graser, M. (2014, August 21). 'Boyhood' to Grow Old with Paramount on Home Entertainment Platforms. Retrieved December 16, 2014, from http://variety.com/2014/film/news/boyhood-to-grow-old-with-paramount-on-home-entertainment-platforms-1201287644/

Summary
     Due to 'Boyhood's success in the box office for IFC Films, Paramount Home Media Distribution has now gained rights for the drama film. Paramount has taken charge on the film's physical and internet digital home entertainment distribution. This distribution company is seeking to get the broadest audience possible and give viewers bonus footage of the 12 years of work put into this. 

Quotes
• "The studio has yet to disclose when it will release the film, but Paramount will handle all physical and Internet digital home entertainment distribution following the film’s theatrical run" 
• "IFC Films will handle VOD and EST sales to cable, satellite and telco providers, releasing it simultaneously with Paramount’s efforts on certain platforms" 
• "Reinhard added that Paramount will 'bring all of Paramount’s home media division’s resources to bear and leverage our numerous distribution platforms in order to ensure that ‘Boyhood,’ reaches the broadest possible audience and look forward to giving viewers a chance to go behind-the-scenes with bonus footage chronicling the 12 years of work that went into this outstanding achievement.”'

Reflection
     In my opinion this is a great example of a film connecting itself with great distributors like Paramount. One thing that I enjoyed seeing, was how the film is able to extend its target audiences. With this specific film its easier for several age groups to relate with the film since its based on a someones life in the course of 12 years. They have the opportunity and capability to promote the film to several age groups, mainly around 11-20 years of age,  before its release. This also ties back to how it became a hit in the box office, being a relatable drama and its extensive storyline. This film, in my opinion, is one for everyone to go out and watch, separating itself from other contemporary films currently coming out. 
     Boyhood exposes itself as this trustworthy, relatable film that looks forward to connect with the audience, which is one of the main beauty's behind most independent films. Its inclusion of the bonus footage that viewers will get to watch also allows the audience to learn and discover, the process and time behind the film. It gives a greater and stronger connection between the audience and the film. So far the film has already become successful before its release, even being nominated in the Golden Globes showing how big of a film it can potentially be. 

'Boyhood' Takes a Different Path in Filmmaking

Resource
How They Made 'Boyhood' Across 12 Years and 100 Hours of Footage

Citation
Desowitz, B. (2014, December 10). How They Made 'Boyhood' Across 12 Years and 100 Hours of Footage. Retrieved December 11, 2014, from http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/how-they-made-boyhood-across-12-years-and-100-hours-of-footage-20141210

Summary
     'Boyhood', directed by Richard Linklater, is a coming of age film that had a 12 year production process to complete. In total, it was 100 hours of footage collected. The film focused on how us as humans make certain decisions in life and the realistic outcomes of what we chose to do. In almost every unique element it had, it gave the film more popularity as to how surprising it became. 

Quotes
• "And the biggest technological consideration was which editing package to use. Originally, Adair planned to use a combination of Final Cut Pro and Cinema Tools, but decided on one system—Avid Media Composer—and kept updating it" 
• "Unlike other movies, this was a journey of total discovery as the filmmaking progressed"

Reflection
     Creating the unique style that Boyhood was able to achieve, gave the film the opportunity to set itself apart from other films. Due to dealing with a the low budget, there were moments where it was fine to settle for less. 
     At the start in the making of the film, Linklater decided to use a camera that shot with actual film. As the years went by and the film progressed and changed, so did the technology. Linklater at first felt pressured to update his equipment, but sooner realized to stick with what he started with. This is one of the other elements that allowed this coming of age movie get its success. It's surprising to see the achievement the film received from the public because you would think that we, as a society, have already been accustomed to films that only contain high quality visuals. This film gained its success from its storyline and concept. 

Summit Entertainment's contribution to Stephen Chbosky's latest film

Resource
Specialty B.O. Preview: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Citation
Specialty B.O. Preview: 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' Plus Docs 'Diana Vreeland', 'Head Games', 'How To Survive A Plague' (2012, September 20). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://deadline.com/2012/09/movies-coming-out-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-diana-vreeland-the-eye-has-to-travel-head-games-how-to-survive-a-plague-340338/ 

Summary
     In this article it explains how Summit Entertainment, distributor, picked up the coming of age film 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'. Nancy Kirkpatrick, Summit's president of marketing, states that their reasoning behind picking up this project was due to the books popularity being a favorite for years. Summit's main target audience for this film were the ones that became fans of the book. After, it was then premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and soon got partnered with MTV to promote the film, with the assistance of Summit. Right after its trailer's launch on MTV it immediately began to expand from there.

Quotes
-"Kirkpatrick believes the art house crowd is an obvious draw because “it’s a sparkling jewel of a film that has gotten great reviews.”" 
-"Summit warmed to the project because the book has been a favorite for a couple of generations of readers."

Reflection
     Film distributors play a huge role in a film's success, especially when it comes down to independent films. They are the ones who are able to arrange industry screenings and uses other marketing techniques, such as Summit Entertainments partnering with MTV, a popular network, that became the peek of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower's popularity. Lining up with these distributors is a the main form of gaining an huge audience for films. Stephen Chbosky's film progressed to where it is now mainly because of the support they recieved from Summit.
     Another one of the main reasons behind the film's success is due to its novel's fans who've been their since the beginning. Film adaptions are currently taking over theaters by storm and its all because of the sweet positives of creating these projects that originate from an existing fan base. The popularity gain that Stephen Chbosky's film had was immensely from the existing fans of his novel. When seeking for even any film to become mainstream, its always important to take any opportunities that are given and putting it into good use.

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' Make the Same Mistakes as 'Juno'

Resource
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” movie has many fans drooping

Citation
-Arlin, R. (2012, October 1). The Daily Collegian. Retrieved November 28, 2014, from http://dailycollegian.com/2012/10/01/“the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-movie-has-many-fans-drooping/

Summary
    The Perks of Being a Wallflower was written and directed by Stephen Chbosky along with Mr Mudd, former Juno production company. This production company accidentally imitated the same mistakes in marketing as they did for their previous film Juno hoping to become a 'smash hit'. In this recent 2012 film their marketing strategies repeated themselves being disorganized. Due to its A list actors and storyline it was able to become as successful as it was. 

Quotes
•   "the company that produced “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Mr. Mudd Productions, is the same company that produced “Juno,” a film that also had a limited release before it became a cultural phenomenon" 
•     "A week after the film’s release, on Sept. 28, more theaters began playing the movie. Major cities such as Atlanta, Boston and Chicago started showing it"

Reflection
    Mr Mudd Productions, the ones behind the marketing idea of slowly building the films reputation with time, definitely haven't learned from their past mistakes. The way of releasing the film affected the audiences anticipation. Having the fans wait and unknowingly be surprised on whether or not when or if they view the film, doesn't help increase popularity. What only led for the films success was the A list actors and the story being written by Stephen Chbosky. When it comes to independent films where the majority have to build up their fame and popularity it becomes difficult. For this case these famous elements were given to them on a silver platter, but decided to go down the same path made when their film Juno was released. 
     It would be best for Mr Mudd Productions to have made a specific date for the release of the film all over the US, rather than erratically spreading the film without giving the public specific details. 

'The Bling Ring' Fashion Marketing Tactics

Resource
Sofia Coppola’s ‘Bling Ring’ Leans on Designer Labels

Citation
Sofia Coppola's 'Bling Ring' Leans on Designer Labels. (2013, June 13). Retrieved November 22, 2014, from http://variety.com/2013/film/news/sofia-coppola-bling-ring-fashion-1200496301/

Summary
      This article presents director's, Sofia Coppola, tactics and connections of different clothing industries being an assistance to marketing her film, The Bling Ring. It explains how her past job opportunities benefitted her to access and use several big fashion labels within her film. Many that contributed to her film were Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Versace, Marc Jacobs and Herve Leger.  

Quotes
•  "Coppola herself is no stranger to luxury lines. She interned at Chanel and co-founded the clothing line MilkFed"
•  "The distributor’s social media campaign features Pinterest boards for each character and coveted fashion items reflecting their individual tastes"

Reflection
     Sofia Coppola's connections were a useful way to market the film in terms of the intended message and quality. These big brands are one of the elements that added value to it while having a small budget, $8 million. Using these labels put this film in the same 'playing field' as other big budget films. Usually with many independent films, its difficult to market the film due to their budgets affecting the quality and in todays society its what has become a main element in production. Due to the fact that it targeted the teenage audience, it was even best for her to retell the story realistically as possible. In this case, it even reflects as to what the film is portraying on how most teens seek for this luxury that they may or may not be able to afford and deeply wish to have. Being able to see these brands on screen adds to their fascination on the expensive products, making teens become more tempted to watch film.
     The brands were not only used for the realism enhancement, but was also included in their social media campaign through Pinterest. This gave a greater connection to the audience accessing a huge part of the majority of teens. Even though the film didn't receive good comments by critics, it was perceived as more appealing due the brands.