Distributing and Production Details: The Boat That Rocked

Director: Richard Curtis.

Producers: Hilary Bevan-Jones, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner.

Executive Producers: Lisa Chasin.

Co-Producer: Ronaldo Vasconcellos

Associate Producer: Emma Freud.

Screen Writer: Richard Curtis.

Production Manager: James Biddle.

Production Accountant: Nathan Woods.

Location Manager: Adam Richards.

Director of Photography: Danny Cohen.

Production Designer: Mark Tildesley.

Costume Designer: Joanna Johnston.

Editor: Emma Hikox.

Sound Designer: Ian Voigt.

SFX Supervisor: Richard conway.

VFX Supervisor: Richard Briscoe.

Hair and Make-up Designer: Christine Blundell.

Compare the Opening Sequences of 'Se7en' and 'panic Room'

Camera/Shot/Angle/Movement:
In the opening sequence of ‘Se7en’ we see a montage of clips of an anonymous person doing mysterious activities. This is shown through a series of close up shots of this person cutting up pictures, writing in pictures, cutting his own fingers with razor blades and other ominous activities. Also we never see the person doing this except for their fingers which are always busy but we do see this person cutting their own fingers with a razor blade and then the rest of the time we see the fingers with bandages on them. This makes the audience ask as to why he would need to do this to himself. The camera also never moves during these clips so as to focus on the work that this person is doing. However it does move in one clip as it pans across a shelf of journals that obviously belong to this person. Lastly the camera is kept at eye level to the activities that this person is doing, keeping the mystery of this person’s identity.
This is very different to the camera style of ‘Panic Room’ which gives the audience a series of shots consisting of high angle, low angle, birds eye and panning shots. All these shots merely sum up the opening sequence to this film which gives no real clue to a plot. These series of shots all involve buildings and emphasises on their height and grandeur.

Sound:
The sound in ‘Se7en’ is wholly non-diagetic. However the sound is a mournful, slow beat song adding to the feel of these ominous activities that this person is doing. It could be mainly non-diagetic to cover up any sounds that this person is making that could give away who he or she is. Whereas in ‘Panic Room’ we mainly non-diagetic sound of, again slow, string music but this gradually fades and we get a quick sound clip of stereotypical sounds that’s audience’s would hear from New York e.g. car horns, traffic, millions of people talking.

Editing:
In ‘Se7en’ we get a montage of clips all showing ominous activities of writing, cutting pictures and news documents, someone cutting themselves. However some of the clips are replayed at certain times and also we also some of the clips are layered so we see two different activities taking place at the same time. However in ‘Panic Room’ there is no real sense of editing except for, again, a montage of shots of tall and large buildings.

Mis en Scene:
There is a lot going on in the opening sequence of ‘Se7en’. The props are ominous and threatening like razor blades and scissors and pictures of people. The lighting is a dim, pale orange and it sometimes blurs the background which gives the scenery a more mysterious atmosphere. There are no costumes that take place in this opening sequence however we do see this person’s fingers in bandages. Whereas in ‘Panic Room’ the opening sequence is a very stereotypical idea of New York to international audiences of sunny days, traffic, large and grand buildings and millions of people in busy streets.

Characters:
In both opening sequences we have no real sense of who the characters are. However in ‘Se7en’ we do have a persons hands busy at work. But is this the hero or villain?
Location:
‘Se7en’ gives us no real sense of a location. But the audience is supposed to assume that this is taking place in a room or house because of all the jobs and activities that this person is doing and, due to the dim orange background, this couldn’t be anywhere else but inside. However in ‘Panic Room’ we are instantly thrown into the rooftops of New York and then are taking to some of the major locations like Greenwich Village and Time Square.

Narrative/Plot:
Neither of these films gives any sense of plot or narrative.

Visual Style:
‘Se7en’ has a very mournful visual style because of its montage of ominous shots and this persons’ activities. However in ‘Panic Room’ the visual style is very normal every day New York however the mournful music gives mix messages and contrasts with what the audience see and then what they hear.

Genre:
Both of these films fall under the genre of ‘thriller’.

Images of the Key Settings and Main Characters

Images of the Key Settings and the main characters:

• The title of the film ‘The Boat That Rocked’ - shown clearly.


• Bold, prominent font used to draw in viewers, font also linked to the era.


• The film consists of well known British and American actors e.g. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Rhys Ifans.


• They use Philip Seymour Hoffman to appeal to an american audience.


• The stars names are placed above the title of the film.


• The key images of the poster consist of the main characters each pulling an expression that links to their characteristics.


• A large array of colours to represent their large and differing personalities e.g. Kenneth Brannagh has a grey background (boring/conservative) whereas Nick Frost has a yellow background (fun/bubbly/warm).


• The film appears to link to music, shown by use of the word ‘rock’ and the fact that it is about DJs in the 60s.


• The target audience could be a number of demographics because of the era in which it is set. Whereas the obvious rebellious nature of the film would appeal to a younger audience.

Opening Sequence: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement:

• P.O.V. camera shot. Crowd moves and parts as camera gets closer to Bacon, like someone moving around a crowd to see the attraction,


• Close up and mid-shot of Bacon whilst he sells his items. Close up to emphasize business like tone however also shows relaxed persona. Mid-shot of Bacon and buyers to show interest in cheap price of products.


• Close up of Ed, pretending to be a buyer, to show his shock and interest in cheapness of products. However the audience don't know he is just pretending so they think that Bacon is telling the truth.


• Mid-Shot of buyers buying the products. Shows Bacon to be a good liar.


• Close Up of Ed. Shows him to be looking out for something or someone. Audience wonder who or what he is looking out for.


• Close Up of Ed and Bacon when 'coppers' come to show panic and flustered actions as he shoves things into his suitcase.


• Mid-Shot as Ed and Bacon run away from the police. we see a dingy street, walled up street, old looking pub, gray street.


• Mid-Shot as Bacon and Ed run down stairs. Makes Bacon throwing his suitcase in the air more effective as we see how many items are falling out and how much of it he has lost.

Sound:

• All we hear is dialogue until one minute three seconds in when we faintly start to hear a guitar riff (non-diagetic),


• Non-Diagetic music blasts out when the police arrive on the scene. Similar to the rush of the chase,


• Narrator describing Ed and Bacon.

Editing:

• Cuts from Bacon talking to credits,


• Slow motion Movement whilst Ed and Bacon run down the stairs. Gives Narrator enough time to describe one before the other comes in.

Mis En Scene:

• Bacon's goods,


• Grey, dingy London,


• Supposed cold weather shown by the wearing of coats,


• Police costumes. Shows that whatever Bacon and Ed are doing it is illegal,


• Closed off shops, shows it to be a run down part of London.

Characters:

• Bacon and Ed are shown by the Narrator to take part in illegal activities.


• Ed is said to be a good gambler.

Narrative/Plot:

• No real sense of narrative or plot. Because Ed and Bacon are crooks maybe money is involved.

Themes:

• Crime

Visual Style:
No real sense of visual style

Genre:
Thriller

Opening Sequence: Hannibal

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement:

• Opens with black screen and red credits however we hear dialogue between two men,
  
• See image of one of the speakers. Image slowly gets bigger and bigger until we see both speakers: Mr. Virger and Barney.
  
• Mid-shot of Mr. Virger and Barney. Emphasizes the grandeur of the room and the obvious wealth belonging to the Mr. Virger because of his attire although he is in a wheelchair, the fact that he has Cornell, a P.A., standing behind him and also he is the one interviewing Barney,
  
• Close up of Mr. Virger's face. Emphasizes grotesqueness of face,


• Close up of Barney's face to show his displeasure of the questions and answers he was being given and giving,


• Shot/reverse shot to keep the conversation in flow,


• Mid shot of Mr. Virger and his Cornell to emphasize his obvious disability and his need for Cornell,


• Zoom in on Mr. Virger as he is shown whatever it is that is inside the box. His reaction to whatever is inside and the fact that we aren't allowed to see what is inside shows obvious importance,
  
• Slow zoom/close up of Barney's face when stating price of contents. Shows business like attitude and maybe greed.


• Close up of Mr. Virger's face to show greed for the contents of the box,


• Slow zoom/close up of mask in the box. Obvious importance and recognition by the audience as the mask Hannibal wore in 'Silence of The Lambs.

Sound:

• Non-diagetic sound of slow, mournful piano music. Doesn't last long before dialogue enters,


• Piano music continues as dialogue continues,


• Loud sound, similar to a gust of wind, when open box is presented to Mr. Virger. Ominous, maybe showing the start of a horrible chain of events,


• Music grows in voume as mask is zoomed in.

Editing:

• Screen is blaack for a very short amount of time with red credits,


• Small image starts to grow in size from toip right hand corner of the screen until we see the first speaker. As the camera pans slowly across the room the image continues to grow until we see both speakers.

Mis En Scene:

• Large grand room showing wealth.


• expensive looking items like large collection of books, statues, candelabras.


• Mr. Virger is looking very neat and tidy, adding to the look of wealth. Barney in a normal attire showing average wealth, normal citizen,


• Mr. Virger is made up to look scarred, largely disfigured face, in a wheel-chair,


• Pink box next to Barney. Makes audience question what is inside the box.


• Hannibal mask. Obvious recognition from the audience from 'Silence of The Lambs'.

Characters:

• Mr. Virger is an ominous looking man. Greatly disfigured, has a deep interest in Lecter and his belongings (greedy attitude toward the mask obvious proof!). Makes audience wonder what happened to him and why he is interested in Lecter.


• Barney is an average looking man. Recognizable from the first film by helping Clarice Starling. Brings to question why he is helping this ominous character and why is he shwoing this new greed with money.

Narrative/Plot:

• No obvious clues of narrative/plot. All we know is Mr. Virger has a deep interest in Lecter.

Themes:

• Hannibal Lecter,
  
• Revenge

Visual Style:

• On looker or witness

Genre:

• Thriller

Opening Sequence: Children of Men

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement:

• Mid-shot of crowded coffee shop. Shows the importance of the news bieng played on the television that everyone is squeezing into this one shop.


• News report on the t.v. in the backround. Shows audience what the coffee shop goers are watching and what is so important.


• Camera follows Clive Owen’s character out of the shop. Shows the audience who the main focus of the scene. Quickly pans across the futuristic London street, Showing pictures on the windows of the buildings.


• Camera doesnt cut at all. Follows and goes around clive Owen to the angle of the explosion. Shows Clive Owen scared when bomb goes off. Makes the Audience question as to why the hero of the film would be scared.

Sound:

• Small amount of non-diegetic sound during news report. Slow string music. Emphasises sadness of the death.


• When leaving the shop all the audience hear is diegetic sound. Cars, traffic, horns, people talking. Makes explosion more shocking and out of the blue.

Editing:

• Starts with black screen. All we hear is the news report. Grabs the audince’s attention.


• Cuts from crowd in coffee shop to the news report in front of them then back.

Mis En Scene:

• No abnormal costumes. Every day clothing. Make life seem normal.


• Shocked expressions. Emphasises sad news of the death.


• Mid-shot to get everyone in the coffee shops expression.


• Normal lighting. Steryotypical London weather. Gives an idea of what is though as normal British weather to international audience's.


• Alcohol poured into Clive Owne’s coffee. Makes audience question as to why the hero of a film is dependant on alcohol early in the mornng.


• Motor vehicles in the street makes life seem normal.


• bomb goes off. Camera rushes to the scene showing durt settling, people lying in the road, shocked civillians.


• Woman comes out from bomb screaming, missing her right arm.

Characters:

• Camera focuses on Clive Owen. Well known action movie actor. Makes audience familiar to the sort of film he does and what they expect from this film.

Narrative/Plot:

• Large idea of plot. Youngest person in the wold has died. Audience asks as to why he is the youngest person in the world at age 18.


• Bomb goes off in London street. Who would plant a bomb in London and why?

Themes:

• Death.


• Something strange is happening to people that is stopping women from re-producing.

Visual Style:

• documentary

Genre:

Thriller.

Opening Sequence: Panic Room

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement:

• Birds Eye, low angle and high angle shots of New York City. Shows grandeur and daunting height of New York Buildings


• Birds Eye shot emphasising grandeur of building.
  
• Low angle shot may be showing how daunting the size of the buildings are.


• High angle shot.


• Opens with a high angle zooming shot.

Sound:

• Non-diegetic sound. Mainly strings instruments. Slow, mournful, ominous. Gives an idea of the tone of this film.


• Diegetic sounds of traffic, car horns. Every day busy New York.
  

Editing:

• Quick shots of different areas of New York. Brooklyn, Greenwich Village, etc. Where exactly is the film taking place in New York?


• Names of cast, crew and film title attached to the side of large buildings. Gives audience and idea of where the film will be taking place. Somewhere of wealth?

Mis En Scene:

• Large Buildings.


• Cars.


• Billboards
  
• Restaurants


• Homes.


• No characters only objects


• Daylight
  

Characters:

• Unknown. Only cars and buildings. Why haven't we been introduced to the actors yet?

Location:

• New York City. Known by the flashes of famous spots like time square and Brooklyn landscape.
  

Narrative/Plot:

• No real sense of plot or narrative. All that is known is takes place in the New York Area.
  

Themes:

• No real sense of themes.
  

Visual Style:

• New York during the morning rush hour. Busy, crowded, traffic ridden.
  
• Large wealthy looking buildings. Very optimistic besides mournful music. Gives off mixed messages to the tone of the film.

Genre:

• Thriller

Opening Sequence: Se7en

Se7en

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement:

• Continuous close up of objects: paper, newspapers, journals, razors, pictures. Some of the objects are very ominous and gives the audience a bad feeling
• All we see of the person in the opening sequence are his fingers drawing, writing, cutting and sticking pictures. Makes the audience wonder what exactly is he working on that also includes razor blades.
  
• No movement except to pan across the amount of journals Anonymous own. Camera mainly focuses on Anonymous’ activities. Keeps the audience guessing.
  
• Eye level camera angle. The audience doesn't know who Anonymous is.

Sound:

• Only sound is non-diegetic song in opening sequence. Maybe to cover up any sounds to Anonymous' activities that could give away who he is.

Editing:

• Collage of shots on Anonymous’ activities. Very ominous shots of razor blades, cutting horrific pictures, etc. What is he doing?
  
• Some camera shots are layered; again one may not be as opaque as the other. Emphasises his activities.

Mis En Scene:

• Starts with Anonymous’ turning pages of a book. What is in the book?
  
• Razor blades. Omninous to the audience
  
• Dim lighting. Ominous.
  
• Blurred pale orange background.
  
• No costume (all we see are fingers)
  
• Bandages on fingers 28 seconds in. However earlier we do see use of razor blades on the fingers explaining the bandages. Why was he/she cutting his fingers?
• Pens, papers, pictures, scissors, journals. A strange collection of objects.

Characters:

• Unknown. All we see are fingers and hands. Adds to the build up of discovering who this person is.

Location:

• Unknown. Dim background. Supposedly a room. Adds tension.

Narrative Plot:

• No real sense of plot or narrative.

Themes:

• Ominous, frightening

Visual Style:

• Collage of shots of ominous activities. However the images are sometimes blurred. No give away of plot or narrative. Keeps the audience guessing

Genre:

• Thriller

Main Cast In T.B.T.R

Curtis says “When casting I look for a particular texture and a willingness of an actor to stretch something to its comic limits.”
When casting for the teenage character ‘Carl’ Curtis found that young actor Tom Sturridge was the only applicant able to capture the slightly casual manner that he was looking for.
When casting ‘The Count’, Curtis wanted the actor to be American because of a famous American deejay of the 60’s called ‘Emperor Rosko’. Philip Seymour Hoffman agreed to play the part and was excited about doing so saying that Curtis had captured the era’s spirit of rebellion in ‘The Count’.
Bill Nighy was cast as Pirate Radio’s captain ‘Quentin’. Nighy had worked with Richard Curtis in his previous rom-com ‘Love Actually’ and Curtis' T.V. drama ‘The Girl in The Café’. Curtis admits to hoping Bill Nighy would play ‘Quentin’, saying “It’s surprising how much fun it is realising you’ve written the part for someone you already love!”
‘Gavin’, the deejay who ‘returns to his rightful throne’ in Pirate Radio is played by Rhys Ifans who had worked with Curtis in his hit rom-com ‘Notting Hill’ as Hugh Grants’ character’s eccentric, rude and Welsh roommate ‘Spike’. Ifans says it was brave of Curtis to give him a role completely different to his previous Curtis character ‘Spike’. Curtis says “Rhys was perfect for the role. His magnetism comes out in spades.”

Richard Curtis and The Boat That Rocked

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner’s latest smash hit films include the British film ‘The Boat That Rocked’, a film based around the true story of ‘Pirate Radio’, a radio station in the 1960’s who broadcasted their music from a boat in the middle of the North Sea.

    Screen writer of ‘The Boat That Rocked’ Richard Curtis first came up with the idea of writing the film when reminiscing about how he and his friends would listen to rock deejays who would broadcast just outside the U.K. territorial waters in the late 1960’s. The government would try their hardest to supress these illegal transmissions. Curtis’ enthusiasm for 60’s music was obvious throughout his film ‘Love Actually’, therefor it was only right to him that he made a film of these infamous deejays and made the music they broadcasted the soundtrack.

    Curtis found inspiration for the script in films ‘M*A*S*H’ and ‘Animal House’, hoping to capture the same essence as these landmark films. ‘M*A*S*H’, with its informality and ‘Animal House’ for its mad, irreverant jokes gave inspiration for Curtis’ portrail of the friendship and non-conformity that Curtis assumed happened in the station. After finishing the screen play Curtis took his script to Working Title Films, the production company of which he has worked with many times with scripts like ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Love Actually’. 

 

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are Academy Award nominated film Producers who co-own the film production company 'Working Title Films'.

Tim Bevan: discovered 'Working Title Films' with Sarah Radclyffe in the 1980's. Sarah Radclyffe left the company to carry on her desires of bieng an independant Film Producer. Bevan has produed and co-produced more than 40 films including 'Notting Hill', 'O Brother, Where Art Thou' and 'Frost/Nixon'.
Eric Fellner: joined Tim Bevan at 'Working Title Films' after original co-owner Sarah Radclyffe's departure, however he was a producer before 'Working Title Films'. Fellner's more than 60 films as producer or executive producer include 'Four Weddings and A Funeral', 'Dead Man Walking' and 'Bridget Jones' Diary'.

Working Title Films signed a deal with Universal Studios in 1999 for a reported $600 million, which gave Bevan and Fellner the power to commission projects with a budget of up to $35 million without having to consult paymasters. It is now Britain’s largest independent production company with offices in London and Los Angeles. They have produced such hits as 'Fargo' (of which won an Oscar in 1997), 'Elizabeth' and 'Atonement' (both of which were nominated for 'Best Picture' Academy Awards in 1998 and 2007).

The History Of Working Title Films

Working Title Films was founded in 1984 by current Co-Chairperson Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe, now a credited British film producer. Eric Fellner, Bevan’s Co-Chairperson, filled Radclyffe’s seat after she left the company in 1992

Working Titles first box office hit was ‘My Beautiful Launderette’ in 1985 which was directed by acclaimed director Stephen Frears. In 1991 Working Title Partnered up wih PolyGram at which point Sarah Radclyffe left Working Title to remian an indepenant producer. Eric Fellner, who had produced films like Rachel Papers (1989) filled Radclyffes place. Working title Films has over seen hits like ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Billy Elliot’.