All the analysis: Technologies Used in The King's Speech

Friday, 12 April 2013

In Production:

Shot on the Arriflex LT and Arriflex ST
Used 3.091 metres of 35mm film
Heavy focus on quality cinematography to get the look right eg lighting, real sets created, attention to period detail
Streets were sprayed with grit and houses covered with grime, smoke machines were used to create thick smog - so much in fact it set off the fire alarm in a nearby boutique
The crew took over the Pullens buildings in Southwark. The entire street was transformed into 1930s London
Used wider than normal lenses for certain shots and very intrusive close-ups for certain emotional scenes - 18mm
Shot at locations around the UK, mainly shot indoors.
Aimed for harsh lighting and filtered huge lights through cotton sheets to create the right effect, with giant black tents erected around the sets to provide harsh light
Converted into digital format by Molinaire for post-production.
Non-period details removed in post eg burglar alarms and grading aimed to reflect a 1930s feel – looked like it was ‘filtered through tea’.
No SFX or CGI used in this film but additional people were added for the stadium scene
Score recorded on antique microphones to create a dated sound

In Distributing/Exhibition:

Distributed in digital and 35mm format
Released at 395 cinemas across UK – approx. half.
2D format, not 3D or IMAX.
Both Blu-ray and DVD with extras including cast Q+A, Making of and an audio commentary.
Sky Movies purchased the exclusive subscription rights for UK TV.
Free to air purchased by Ch4 for use across their channels in March 2013.
Available for UK download/stream/rent on Lovefilm and Amazon UK

In Marketing:

Traditional format poster and TV/ theatrical trailer across UK
Had to redesign poster
Viral marketing predominated: heavy reliance on word of mouth and positive critical acclaim from the Oscar successes.
FB page with 2,424 likes and 33 ‘talking about this’.
Page includes photos and link to website and twitter feed.
Website relies heavily on Oscars success, and video interviews with cast and crew.
Features heavy promotion of the DVD, the full length cinema trailer, link to the soundtrack, social media and an educational guide to the film.
DVD release timed for just after the royal wedding.

In Exchange:

All the analysis