Film case study institutional research

Your chosen movie
1) What film have you chosen? Taken 

2) Why did you choose this film in particular? This film is a really interesting film and it is also very entertaining. 


Institutional background
Use IMDB to find out the institutions behind your chosen film. Find your film, click on Company Credits and then look for the production company and UK distributor.

1) What was the film studio or production company behind your chosen film? 
Europacorp  Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation 

2) Who was the distributor for the theatrical release of the film in the UK?
20th Century Fox

No brand loyalty
1) What genre does your chosen film fit into? Action, Thriller

2) How can you tell it fits that genre? The genre for this film specifically fits in with action, this is because there is gunshots, explosions and more.

3) Does your chosen film have any stars or a director that are known for that particular genre? Liam Neeson is a star in this movie and is very well known for action, thriller movies.



It’s all a matter of timing
1) What was the UK release date for your chosen film? 26 September 2008

2) When did the first trailer appear on YouTube for your movie? Find the earliest example you can and embed it in your blog. Uploaded on 8 Feb 2009


3) What other examples of marketing (teaser trailers, main trailers, newspaper or TV interviews etc.) can you find for your chosen film from before the film’s release date? Main trailers, teaser trailers, TV interviews.


Risky business
Use IMDB to find out the box office records for your chosen film. Find your film, click on Company Credits and then Box Office/Business. You may want to use the excellent website Box Office Mojo to find out the budget and box office success for the film.

1) What was the original budget for your chosen film? $25 Million

2) How much money did the film make in the opening weekend? $24,717,037

3) How much money has the film made in total? (Look for the subheading ‘Gross’ which has the total box-office earnings listed).  $226,830,568

4) For a film to be considered a box office success, it needs to make at least two-and-a-half times the budget in box office takings. Using this method, was the film you have chosen a success? (Or, if it's a recent release, do you expect it to be a box office success?) Yes, this movie is a success because it has made almost the budget they spent on the moving on the opening weekend and overall it has made more than 10 times the budget overall.



Stars in their eyes
Research the stars and director for your chosen film.

1) What films has the director previously directed? Are they in the same or similar genres? The director, Pierre Morel has directed in similar genres, mostly action.

2) Who is the main star in the film? Liam Neeson

3) What other films has the main star appeared in? Are any of the films similar to the one you are researching?
Liam Neeson has been in films including, Love actually, A monster calls and more movies that aren't just action. Love actually ( a film Liam Neeson starred) in is a film comedy-drama film and A monster calls in a movie fantasy/drama film.

4) Are the stars or the director or writer mentioned in the trailer for the film? The director and stars names shown at the end of the trailer.