PR2: Same Film, Different Time and Place

Rec and Quarantine Research Task

Quarantine Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUw2zNR5Dzc

Task 1

Find out the following information:

Rec QuarantineDirector Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza John Erick DowdleYear of Production 2007 2008Distributor Filmax Screen GemsBudget $2 million $12 millionBox office takings $32,492,948 $41,319,906Sequels 2, 3, 4 2

Read the interviews with John Erick Dowdle and Jaume Balaguero and answer the following questions

http://totalscifionline.com/interviews/2761-john-erick-dowdle-quarantined

http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/865/865683p1.html

Task 2:

1. Explain Jaume Balagoro’s reasons for making REC in a handheld, documentary style

2. Is it a coincidence that Cloverfield and Diary of Dead were released at the same time, or does it relate to audience demand for horror filmed in this style?

3. Why do you think Screen Gems, the distributors of Quarantine wanted to get the remake out so quickly?

For your article, you need to consider why film production companies produce remakes and the factors that influence those remakes.

Factors which influenced the remake of REC

Financial factors

Trends

Genre and popularity

Synergy (related products such as DVD’s/books/TShirts)

Vertical integration (where a film company deals with the production, distribution and consumption of a film)

In your magazine article you will need to comment upon all of the above

Task 3:

No, companies put out films of the similar genre to make more money. For example, during the term of Halloween a lot of horror films are released.

They did this because Rec was already out on DVD, therefore after people watch Quarantine, they can say there’s another version, meaning people will watch both, making money from two films.

In the box below, write your introduction to your article. Use your findings from Task 1 and 2 to help you

P2 describe the relationship between films and their production contexts with some appropriate use of subject terminology [IE]

M2 explain the relationshipbetween films and theirproduction contexts withreference to detailedillustrative examples andgenerally correct use ofsubject terminology

D2 comprehensively explain therelationship between films and their production contexts with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

Article intro:

P1. Introduce your article by giving the titles of the films covered and production factors which influence remakes

P2. REC.

Relate factual information about REC ; director, release date, distributor, budget and box office takings. Describe the production values and context (handheld documentary style/plot synopsis)

P3. Quarantine

Relate factual information about Quarantine; director, release date, distributor, budget and box office takings. Describe the production values and context (handheld documentary style/plot synopsis. Explain similarities and differences with the original.

To maximize profits. Releasing Rec and Quarantine at the same time on DVD helped them gain more money for the original and the remake.

The filming was done as ‘found footage’ to make the film look more realistic. The director used ‘shaky cam’ to add the sense of reality and panic. Using ‘shaky cam’ makes it difficult for the audience to see, making it scarier when something appears on screen. The actors weren’t given a script and were auditioned based on their ability to improvise. It was only Rec that used this way of filming; this could be because Screen Gems didn’t want to take any chances. The way of filming as ‘found footage’ was done in both films because that’s what makes the original stand out. The director of Rec wanted to make the film look like a video game, that’s why the film was filmed as found footage.

P4. Production Contexts

Explain why Quarantine was produced so soon after REC. Give examples concerning trends, genre and financial factors.

P5.

Explain synergy and vertical integration and how Screen Gems are an example of a vertically integrated company. Explain how Screen Gems have contributed to the overall success of REC due to this.

Quarantine adds a scene where one of the characters attempts to get out of the building, this doesn’t happen in Rec. This is scene is more ‘Hollywood’ adding more action to the film. I found this to be a good way to show the characters desperation. Also, Rec was filmed in an apartment block, Quarantine, because it wasn’t a budget film, they could create a similar set, with four floors. The remake wanted to keep the element of handheld film, however, wanted it to be more structured.

Quarantine and Rec are the same genre, and are filmed the same way, ‘found footage’. The makers of Quarantine could spend more on the production of the film, and to ensure that they kept Rec’s audience, they made Quarantine close to Rec’s release.

Screen Gems are owned by Sony, meaning they are a vertical integration. With Sony being a large company, Screen gems could create Rec and help advertise it.