Film Focus: The Making of a Blockbuster

Synopsis: A two-part unit of five programmes which exploits the appeal of box office hits to deliver ingredients for serious media analysis. The first three programmes which form part 1 go behind the scenes of the 19th James Bond film THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH. The 4th and 5th programmes feature the work of Baz Luhrmann.
1: Follows much of the early work, including scripts, finance, the director’s role, location hunting, casting, design and storyboarding.
2: Concentrates on a few significant scenes, illustrating camerawork, costumes and design, lighting, stunt work, special effects, and the pressures of filming on location.
3: Covers editing, sound, music, and the marketing campaign.
4: Looks at Baz Luhrmann’s early work and how he developed his particular vision in STRICTLY BALLROOM.
5: Focuses on Luhrmann’s WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television; Video
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 1 Jan 2004 at 10:45 (Channel: Channel Four)
Duration: 45 mins
Availability: Sale

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Plays: Romeo and Juliet
Subjects: Media studies
Keywords: film and television production; Luhrmann, Baz; marketing; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items: William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’

Notes: The episode featuring Baz Luhrmann’s WILLAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET was first transmitted 11 May 2004.
Documentation: Programme notes at URL: http://www.channel4.com/school/netnotes
Uses: Secondary schools.

Title: Making of a blockbuster, The: pre-production
Synopsis: 1: Follows much of the early work, including scripts, finance, the director’s role, location hunting, casting, design and storyboarding.
Title: Making of a blockbuster, The production
Synopsis: 2: Concentrates on a few significant scenes, illustrating camerawork, costumes and design, lighting, stunt work, special effects, and the pressures of filming on location.
Title: Making of a blockbuster, The: postproduction
Synopsis: 3: Covers editing, sound, music, and the marketing campaign.
Title: Director’s masterclass 1, The
Synopsis: 4: Looks at Baz Luhrmann’s early work and how he developed his particular vision in STRICTLY BALLROOM.
Title: Director’s masterclass 2, The
Synopsis: 5: Focuses on Luhrmann’s mould-breaking ROMEO AND JULIET.

Name: 4 Learning
Notes: Channel 4 Learning has now closed. This used to be the educational broadcasting arm of Channel 4. The online shop sold educational DVDs and CD-ROMs for use in primary and secondary schools.

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British Universities Film & Video Council