Revision Tasks - Section B: Working Title

 

1. Create a Working Title mind map in order to map out and revise the history and development of the production company. Include major events in the history of Working Title. Think particularly about:

• The move from small budget independent films to crowd-pleasing romantic comedies
• The formation of WT2 and films such as Shaun of the Dead
• Funding from Universal (and StudioCanal)

2. Re‐watch the three main case study films: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shaun of the Dead, and Love Actually. Make notes on key sequences which highlight Working Title conventions.

3. Look back over your case study films and see how much you can remember about their similarities and differences. Make lists (or revision cards) of their features under the following headings: character, narrative structure (e.g. simple storyline – boy and girl face problems and get together), setting, messages and values and themes.

4. Don’t forget to review the work that we completed on representations. How are characters represented in terms of age, class, race and gender? How is Britain represented? Make brief revision notes or flash cards on these aspects.
 
5. Make sure that you can remember the full titles, dates and directors of your case study films – you must write this information at least once in your essay.
 

Practice Questions:
Try the following questions. Don’t forget to plan your answers and time your writing!

• How far can it be said that there are similarities in the themes of different films made by your production company? (40 marks)

• To what extent do the films made by your production company use stereotypical characters to communicate messages and values? (40 marks)

• How far can you appreciate similarities in the representations of Britain and British people in the films made by your production company? (40 marks)

• What are some of the characteristics of the films you have studied for this topic which make them different from Hollywood‐type films? (40 marks)