October 25, 2009This blog post is due Thursday October 29th by midnight.
Titanic (1997) is the most financially successful film of all time. It grossed over 600 million dollars in the United States alone. No other film has done this.
Here is the recipe for Titanic's success (made by me):
1. Extremely well-executed action scenes in its final hour
2. Tender and intelligent love story holding everything together
3. Great young actors giving solid performances
4. A lead that turned into one of the biggest teen heartthrobs of all time (DiCaprio)
5. Amazing special effects that never drew attention to themselves
6. Attention and respect to historical details
7. Tender, heartbreaking moments showing victims who chose to go down with the ship
Your assignment:
Come up with a film that you think will make more money than Titanic.
Give it a name.
Give a 1-2 sentence description of its plot.
Finally, give a list of at least seven details about the film which will help make it such a box-office draw (similar to what I did above)
Please e-mail me at dunnb@bishopireton.org if you do not understand or if you have any questions.
NOTE: Please have fun with this, but keep in mind that R-rated films don't make as much money as G, PG and PG-13 rated films so your film can't be rated R. Don't include R-rated details.
Don't forget to include your first name and your last initial in your comment.
Julia B.
ReplyDeleteMy AMAZING film shall be entitled "Lusitania."
The plot follows two stories, the story of Helena, the young nanny for a well off businessman's two daughters (Emily Anne, 7, and Susannah, 1) and her burgeoning romance with another passenger, Tom. The second story is that of U-Boat officer Erich, and his thoughts about torpedoing the Lusitania (and probably a flashback or two of Maria, his girlfriend back home.)
REASONS FOR SUCCESS!
1. The conflict. Seeing the two sides of the story, the emotional draw.
2. The actual sinking of the Lusitania wasn't that long ago (1915) therefore still pulling a bit of a draw. This period in time has also been making a return in the modern world, interest in fashions and hairstyles etc. Also, audience members could have had relatives in the war so seeing it holds some sentimentality.
3. The war scenes. The final hours of the Lusitania were panicked, the ship sinking in a record amount of time, the U-Boats and the stress of the accusation of the ship for having ammunition aboard.
4. The Titanic itself. The Lusitania would bank on Titanic's pre-existance except it would be better because of the conflict of WWI.
5. Historical detail would be perfect, especially the German scenes because this IS an opportunity to be educational and it WAS a real event. The wealth of resources we have today about WWI is astounding, and therefore there is no excuse for shoddy work in the historical facts department.
6. Over 100 children died in the sinking of the Lusitania. While your average viewer may not have known this, word of mouth would put it around. For some reason, dying people creates a HUGE box office draw (evidenced by the Titanic)
7. It would be a real love story, not some random chick flick trash you get for a dime a dozen. It would be a memorable, striking film that would leave a lasting impression.
Sam W.
ReplyDeleteMr. Dunn,
The movie that will make more money than Titanic is called Mission: Impossible 4. It's about a new group of secret agents, not hired by the government, who work independently in the United States. Their job is to keep American citizens safe while not being apprehended by government officials. This movie will be more successful than Titanic because of:
1. A great lead actor (Tom Cruise) and many great supporting actors and actresses.
2. A love story filled with lies and deceit.
3. Great action scenes filled with danger, excitement, and surprise.
4. Fantastic special effects that adds awe to the action scenes.
5. The use of advanced technology to help the agents succeed in their missions.
6. A terrible tragedy that changes the course of the movie.
7. A thrilling ending where the lead actor escapes from an "impossible" situation.
Charlie G.
ReplyDelete"Out Through the Looking Glass"
A depressed stockbroker, now peniless, and abandoned by his heartless wife,who takes his two children, roams the streets of an unnamed city, shot in black and white. After confronting the immense poverty, he commits suicide to escape haunting visions of his past (which would be shot in technicolor to give the impression of prosperity and vibrance)but all is not what it seems. A week later, his wife recieves a massive life insurance policy as a result of his death, and a letter written by the dead husband, recieved on the same day, says "I did it for our children."
1. The story is relatable as a result of the financial crisis.
2. I would cast an identifiable female lead, but an unknown male lead, which would make people curious.
3. The homeless that the man sees will be played by a mix of comedians and identifiable character actors, who will give spectacular, yet minimal performances.
4. The heartache at the end will captivate audiences.
5. It will not be very long, maybe an hour and 10 minutes, so people won't get bored of it.
6. Aside from actor salaries, the film will be very minamalist, relying on perormances to carry the film along, rather than effects, which will probably make a good impressionon critics.
7. The film will tackle social issues that many try to ignore.
8. The film will attract people interested in older films, and stories, like those of O. Henry.
9. I would use a viral marketing approach, relying on clips of the film viewable for free, and quotes from the film being advertised on billboards and the like.
Courtney W.
ReplyDeleteMy movie would be a Disney family movie about a horse in a farm that wants to be wild and free, and faces many obstacles to get there.
1. It would have loveable characters
2. It would have great (G-rated) humor
3. Age friendly....people of all ages would love it.
4. It would have its own Grammy Award Winning theme song that would replay in the audiences' head over and over.
5. Amazing animation and artwork
6. I would incorporate another, lady horse into the mix and make it a romantce as well
7. This movie will have comedy, action, romance and alot of great scenes the whole audience can enjoy!
Katarina A.
ReplyDeletePocahontas
This movie would be a real life version of the Disney love story but more realistic.
1. Has a gorgeous young man to play John Smith with outstanding acting capabilities.
2. Has a fun, true- love romance twist
3. Historically accurate with the troubles of John Smith and Pocahontas
4. Well-executed action scenes of wars between natives and colonists
5. Has a famous soundtrack song
6. Ending is cute, realistic, and happy but not necessarily a fairy tale ending
7. Can emotionally connect with all ages and genders
The name of my movie would be Monster Hospital. It would be a love story/comedy set in a psychiatric ward. There would be some action scenes from the patients going crazy. The love story will be between a doctor at the hospital and one of the patients. It would be rated PG-13.
ReplyDelete1. Unique plot
2. Young, talented actors
3. Released at Christmas time- a lot of movies about Christmas itself that people need an escape from the holidays
4. Realistic and well developed set
5. A good soundtrack
6. Well written script with genuine comedy
7. Good on screen chemisty
Amanda Krauss
Molly P
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure know how I can come up with a box office hit greater than the titanic in a blog post, but I shall give it my best and hope audiences around the globe will accept it.
I have decided that my box office hit would be a movie set on a train. Two people fall in love, the upper class guy and lower class girl. Families don't accept their love. Train trip is a week long. Train gets snowed in and can’t move. It is in the middle of nowhere. Rescue can’t come in time; they’re running out of food. Set in the 19th century. I will rip off the title of one of Agatha Christie’s novels and call it ‘The Orient Express’.
1. I would make it epic and include romance, action, and a few funny lines here and there. Nothing cheesy.
2. I would cast a rising actor and actress that have yet to be seen in a hit movie. New faces that turn into teen heartthrobs.
3. All the actors whether they have small or large rolls will give good performances.
4. It will start with love, then a disaster. The audience will know what happens in the end, just like the titanic, but they way it will be show, the audience will still feel fear and sorrow for the characters.
5. Connect it with a real story of a train getting stuck in snow for days and keep it historically accurate.
6. Story where some survive and other’s don’t, a sad ending. Snow mobile or something comes and can take some people away, but not all.
7. Story not just about the two main characters, but the train conductor and other people aboard the train as well.
Lindsay Ruais
ReplyDeleteSplit Ends is a story about a man, Bradley Mellow, who is a real estate seller by day and and the super hero Split Streak by night untill his archnemesis hits him with an unstable death ray that turns him into two people, Brad as Split and a female named Mel as Streak. Together the sensible man and the ditzy girl try to work together to return to their original person. PG-13
1: Quirky comedey between the two heros
2: Satirical elements about a sterotypical comic book hero movie
3: Awesome action sequences and well timed effects, but are not over the top and overly used.
4: The leading actor is tough, stoic, and a loner and then becomes more open when he meets his other side (who just happens to be female)
5: the leading actress is ditzy and forgetful but is able to teach her main self about others and surprise him with hidden knowledge.
6: Able to portray the difficulty of living two lives and then the added difficulty of taking care of himself twice.
7: A villian who acts stereotypically bad untill the end where he reveals his true plans and changes into a real villian.
This was actually based of an idea I had for a play or something and it's actually pretty detailed, but hard to explain in like...two sentances. Hope I did this well, also I need my paper back Mr. Dunn. XD
Gina M.
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to try to make a film that would rival Titanic, I would be based on a series of books called the Mortal Instruments Series. The basic plot of these novels is the story of two worlds, the mundane world and the Shadow hunter world, that collide together through a young girl named Clary. Clary discovers that she has the blood of a shadow hunter, or demon fighter, which has been hidden from her from her mother all her life. After her mother’s tragic disappearance, Clary comes in contact with a young Shadow hunter named Jace, who is amazed that he is not invisible to her. Together, and with the help of others, they discover they’re joint past, and embark on an incredible journey to discover who they are.
This film would star a mixed group of newly relatively unknown actors and A-list stars like Johnny Depp. This series of books is filled with an incredible amount of action and even a twisted love story, and I believe it would be very appealing to all audiences. Guys will love the Underworld-esque action, and girls will be addicted to the somewhat tragic love story. It will be filmed in a very dark manner, and all demons and battle scenes would be as realistic and horrifying as possible. The film may seem to be targeting a specific audience, but trust me it will have all genres rolled together in one. Costume and set would probably be the most important aspect of this film, since it will be the basis of creating the feel of the movie. The story line helps you really connect with the characters, and you will feel what they do at every moment throughout the film. I think if filmed in the right way and with extremely well done special affects, this movie would go down in film history.
Cory C.
ReplyDeleteBrothers in Arms
This movie would be a war movie. Set during the Battle of Stalingrad, following a Russian squad.
1. This movie would be a story more based on the bonds built in war rather than the war itself.
2.This movie would be violent but not very blood filled or gory.
3. The film would be in color but the color resolution would be very grey, to show the darkness around the war.
4.The special effects in this movie would be great. I would make the effects very flashy and obvious to keep the attention of the viewer.
5. Attention to the actual events that took place during the battle of Stalingrad would be incorporated into the movie.
6. There would be a scene of heartbreak when one of the soldiers is shot, his squad mates try to save him, but they are not successful.This scene would help to show the viewer that the men in the squad care about each other like brothers, and when one dies they all suffer from it.
7. I would not make any of the actors well known actors, but they all would be young men. I would do this because the focus would be on the squad and not on one famous person.
8.The movie would end intensely. There would be a long epic battle, and then the squad would emerge victorious.
Rachael B
ReplyDeleteThe Foreigners
A Polish family moves into an Italian neighborhood in the 1920s. The children fall in love, run away to Europe, and results in one’s death.
1.Romantic elements
2.Brief nudity/sexual elements (nothing drastic)
3.Accurate information (historically)
4.Quick action (suspenseful)
5.Death/End of a young love
6.Cliché but real love of people who cannot communicate
7.A lot of drama
Alex I.
ReplyDeleteMr.Dunn
Okay here is my story.
The title of the story is "The Other Side of the City". There is a really rich family and the daughter is used to getting what she wants and goes to the top school and has everything. The economy is bad, the father loses his job and the daughters fantasy life comes crumbling down. They move to the other side of the city where it is very poor and the daughter must maintain this fake appearance that she is still wealthy for her friends, she falls in love with this poor guy but she fights to love him to maintain her reputation, but is challenged by a natural disaster that brings the two fighting for life together.
The 7 things are:
1.Average day people fighting the economy could relate to the story.
2.Teen idol Taylor Lautner plays the boy who is on the bad side of the city.
3.The love story where the girl fights the urge to love the boy.
4.The sadness of seeing the family lose everything.
5.The special effects of the natural disaster are so real.
6.The true romance saved until the very end.
7.The reality of the movie sets in with the audience.
Taylor C.
ReplyDeleteTitle: Words, with a Twist.
Plot: Three monkeys typing into infinity will sooner or later produce Hamlet. This is the plot of Ives' "Words, Words, Words." I plan to take the plot of this one-act play and twist it to see, not only the view of the three monkeys, but also Rosembaum's diabolical secret scheme.
Money Making Points.:
1. Intellegent Comedy
2. Two-sided story
3. Well-executed fantastic soundtrack
4. Talented no-name actors who get their start with this film.
5. Unexpected twists to always keep the audience guessing.
6. Extreme detail in the setting to give hints to the secrets in the story-line.
Kate O’Connell
ReplyDeleteSmall
The story has two plot lines, similar to the Notebook, one in the past and one in the Future. It is about a young adult who falls in love, but realizes not only is her life more complicated by her new found love, but her world has forever changed. It is a romantic-comedy, romantic like the Notebook and comedic like Knocked Up.
1. New, unknown actors, along with two or three famous actors to give the film credit, and bring in adult audiences.
2. A continual mystery to keep the audience on its toes.
3. A score and a soundtrack, to keep the light moments light, and the fun moments strong.
4. A natural, small town effect, no special effects. Keep the movie as simple as possible.
5. A “gasp” moment, where the audience’s heart can’t help but break and to cry a little tear.
6. The male actor, will play a man’s man, to keep the male audience. It will be a females romantic film, but a male’s funny funny film.
7. Great, tremendous writers, like Tina Fey, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Falon, Kristen Wig, Molly Shannon, and basically anyone from SNL.
My movie would be about terrorists who steal a man's wife in order to obtain secret government information from her. The man would then go on a quest to find his wife. It would be an action/drama movie but with a love/revenge story ingrained in it.
ReplyDelete1) the movie would be directed towards young adults
2)intense action scenes, but not overdone like transformers.
3)good voice acting, not corny
4) Big name actors, especially for the bad guys, having a big name actor for the nemesis is alway interesting as long as they don't steal the show
5)Amazing music to go along well with the fight scenes and love story
6) intense and in depth story line to draw viewers in but not overly complicated
7) Tragic and surprising ending
Mr Dunn,
ReplyDeletethat last comment about the about the terrorists who steal a man's wife in order to obtain secret government information from her was from me,
Jeremy St. Louis.
Thanks and sorry for the double post
Hunter R.
ReplyDeleteMy film would be called High Value Target.
The plot would revolve around a recently, bitterly divorced couple. The husband is a SWAT officer, while the wife is a doctor. The wife is taken hostage during a bank robbery, and the husband is called in to respond. The shared experience, however traumatic, brings them together.
1. The actors would not be too famous. People should recognize them, but not overhype the performance.
2. The action will be PG-13 for older childern, but dramatic enough for their parents.
3. The action will be seen from 3 POVs: The husband and robbers will see gunfights against each other with little regard for collateral damage, while the wife will be trying to escape to safety, while seeing the other hostages killed trying to do the same.
4. The film would open with the two main characters thinking about all the conflict in the marriage, but once they realize the other is involved, each remembers happier times of the marriage.
5. The wife learns about the other hostages as she tries to help them cope with their injuries and/or the situation.
6. The special effects would remain true to police tactics; similarly, the robbers would be well-trained and brutal.
7. The husband will save the wife from a dire circumstance, creating tension that leads to a romantic conclusion.
Carrie Gillespie
ReplyDeleteI would make a movie that was based on a popular historical event or a famous novel and title it accordingly.
1.I would add a romance plot into the movie
2.I would cast two well known good looking A list stars to be the two leads
3.I would make sure that the plot followed the true events or storyline of the novel pretty closely and only take a few liberties with the plot when necessary
4.I would spend a lot of money advertising the movie
5.I would make sure the sound track was good and fit the movie well, and release it before the movie was released
6.I would screen the movie for critics before release so that I could show the positive reviews in previews
7.I would hire a famous director
Midnight Attraction by Tyler Hargett
ReplyDeleteJohn transfers to a new college. Unwittingly becomes part of a secret organization where he meets Jane. They fall in love but the group has other plans for them. Movie ends with John dead after saving Jane.... but is he really dead. NO! So there can be a crappy sequel.
1. incredibly attractive male role which causes all the girls to get posters of in their room.
2. sexy young actress who can act, megan fox does not count since she can't act.
3. a timeless tear jerking love story for all the women.
4. enough action to keep the males taken by their girlfriends to the movie impressed and then spread the word to all the other boyfriends that its not a complete chick flick.
5.Impressive special effects making the audience believe the movie could actually happen.
6. Pay enough critics to say that the movie is wonderful and the movie of the decade while also having the critics badmouth all the other movies out so your movie seems like it is the only good film in theaters.
7. BIG WALLET for advertising, normal film costs, and being able to hype the movie.
Film Title: Freight
ReplyDeleteRating: PG - 13
Genre: Comedy/Survival
Passengers of a state train experience a sudden stop when the train engine completly shuts down in the middle of a track with nothing close to them, through this experience they experience comedic survival skills and insane solutions to their situation.
1.All Star Cast including Russel Brand, Ryan Reynolds, Kristen Bell, Jake Gyllenhall, Sean William Scott, Anna Paquin, and more..
2.High Budget crew/effects/equiment making the movie one to remember.
3. Romance mixed in during this comedy through different characters .
4. A list soundtrack/score with recodnizable tunes and a catchy score.
5. Very high Advertisement for this movie including multiple trailers and billboards all over the country.
6. Smart comedy with a well written script and good acting .
7. Different short cameos by some of television's most famous cast including will ferell, jennifer anniston, and even Lady Gaga.
Saad Saroufim
Dimitri Innocent,
ReplyDeleteThe film I think that can out due Titanic movie is an all out comedy, that anyone who likes having a good time would enjoy. Of course the only thing that everyone can relate to is their everyday life. To me it would have to be about High School, everyone can remember High School if they have attended it. So with this movie I would start a little website that will take in all the funny High School pranks and events that you remember. I will then take in all this information and formulate it into a well rounded movie.
The name of the movie would be called the High School Succes.
1. The Movie will bring up old memories
2. Have exiting twist, and events.
3. Take the personality of all groups of kids( Jocks, Stoners, Cheerleaders etc.
4. Make an exiting ending that would leave everyone satified at the end.
5. Introduce new pranks to play on teachers.
6. Show all the aspects of the otherside of the fence.
7. Show American culture at its worst from all angles.
The Dark Knight II
ReplyDeleteThe next movie in the revived Batman series. This movie will depict Batman's epic fight against villains such as the Joker and Poison Ivy.
1. The most dynamic cast ever assembled. Adding on to a previously amazing cast with new actors such as Johnny Depp (Joker) and Angelina Jolie (Poison Ivy).
2. The movie is very accurate to the original comic book.
3. Non stop action that always has the crowd excited.
4. The use of great special effects such as explosions and unique weapons.
5. The implication of new 3d visual effects.
6. An extremely good promotion campaign, hyping the movie for half a year.
7. A scary film but not dark like the previous Batman movie. This movie scares through the humorous but evil Joker.
Sorry Mr. Dunn the last one about the batman movie was from Miles C.
ReplyDeleteFred McGrath
ReplyDelete9.1.1.
My movie will have Megan Fox and Justin Bruening. It will be about the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon. It will start out showing the relationship between the two actors for about two weeks before the attack. Megan will work as a 911 dispatcher, while Justin works at the Pentagon. Megan will receive the 911 call about the attack on the Pentagon. She will then race to find Justin.
Actors – I choose these two actors for two major reasons. The first is to have a well known one to draw people in. I choose a not so well known one to help keep the cost down.
I want to make this movie appeal to a wide variety of people. I am not just targeting a crowd that just likes horror, or one who is just into love scenes. With my movie I will have parts of this movie appeal to every group of people.
I also want to choose an event everyone is familiar with. This film might actually be better if it is released a while into the future. Then everyone will have kind of forgotten 9-11, and kids who were not born then will want to learn about the event.
I choose the title because of the date, and the job of Megan.
I want to make it as historically accurate as I can, just like the Titanic, but also want to make it different by showing it from the point of view of two individuals like Titanic did.
I can generate a lot of suspense with this movie, not only with the attack itself, but also with whether or not Justin will be found.
I can also make the rating whatever I want it to be with this movie. I will probably aim for the PG-13 rating. This I think will appeal to the largest variety of people.
Olivia Babiec
ReplyDeleteJerry Spinelli has written some of the best children/family books that always leave a lasting impression. I have always wanted to see Stargirl come to life. No one have come across has ever disliked this book, or any of his other books.
So the title of the movie would be Stargirl.
rated PG
1. The movies soundtrack will have songs that reach into the heart and really highlight the characters.
2. The cast will be new high school age stars, either not well known, or not known at all, that can really show the emotions in high school.
3. The story will take place in a high school, something everyone can relate to, in a small town in Arizona, in the desert area. The landscape shots will be breath taking.
4. There will be a lot of advertising for this movie.
5. The script will follow exactly along with the book, in fact, some of the actors could even use the book as their script.
6. I would hire a director that knows how to make a movie really reach at the audiences emotions.
7. The movie will have romance, comedy, drama, mild suspense, and action.
P.S Sorry this is late
C.J. Hancock
ReplyDeleteCoo Coo Ca Choo Mrs. Robinson
My film, Coo Coo Ca Choo Mrs. Robinson, is a movie where a witty good-looking high school senior seduces one of his teachers. The movie starts where the boy sees sleeping with his teacher as a goal and thinks it will get him the grades to get him into NYU, his dream school, but when he finds Mrs. Robinson has a husband in prison for armed robbery with mob ties he instantly realizes the trouble he has got himself into.
1. The movie's main character will be played by the next generation of hollywood heart throb. I know the kind of emotion I want the student to play better than anyone so who would be more equiped to play the role than C.J. Hancock.
2. Key big names would be used to play the other leading roles. Cameron Diaz would play the teacher's role well with serious acting like she showed in Vanilla Sky. Matt Damon would play the husband.
3. Suspense would be used expertly in places where you don't know if the mob is going to catch the boy or if he'll get away with everything.
4. It touches upon an issue that hasn't really been shown in any previous films setting new precedents.
5. Quinton Tarantino would direct the film and the interesting story line/director combination would draw crowds.
6. The ending to the film would be so unexpected that people would have to see the movie twice to really completely understand.
7. The movie will appeal to all sorts as it will have action, romance, and suspense with little witty one-liners sprinkled throughout.
Carla S.
ReplyDeleteThe title of my movie would be
MORPH-INE
The story line is well known foribidden love, but with a twist. The main character is a man by the name of Riley. He is in love with a girl who he has known his entire life, Lyla. Although they have known eachother their entire lives he has kept a secret - the fact that something unexplainable has been happening to him since he was 10. He changes into the forms of different creatures, ends up in foreign places, has to somehow return home without causing any suspicions, trying to hold on to his failing relationship with the woman he loves and trying to keep his secret. The title relates to the fact that he "morphs" but the after-math can be compared to that of the drug morphine. His memory isn't the best, he become numb during the process, he becomes something different.
1. Romantic elements
2. Conflict between man and himself
3. Action - ( when Riley ends up in foreign places, he must deal with challenges that could potentially be life-treatening)
4. Use of a lot of special effects
5. Young, unknown actors breaking out in the movie business
6. Scenes from around the world (Experience of different cultures) - could end up in a place that is dangerous, but he could also end up somewhere beautiful - like somewhere
7. Appealing to the young adult generation
P.S Sorry this is late! I posted it over the weekend and it said it worked but when I made sure today and my post wasn't up.