Research On fIlm 4.

Film4 is a free digital television channel available in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned and operated by Channel 4, that screens films.

Film4 did not originally focus on broadcasting blockbusters, but nowadays broadcasts mainly mainstream Hollywood movies. The channel frequently has themed nights or seasons in which a number of films centred around one genre, director or actor are shown. As Channel 4 also owns a film production company, Film4 Productions, it shows many of its in-house productions. In the case of our genre of film, which comes in between horror and slasher, we feel Film Four would b a great place to broadcast our film. Another reason, is the channels ability to show films that are independent and not mainstream. Film 4 became digitally available to watch on cable TV as of 2006.

Film4 logo from 1996-2006

They are very popular in regards to the themed nights or seasons that could run from a week to a month following one genre of film whether it’s Romance, to British films and Horror. I have put up a selection of examples of Film4’s advertising for their famous themed nights and seasons.

The first example is Sci Fi season which see’s day to day people transform secretly into Sci Fi characters and this is a good way of interpreting science fiction because there are a lot of “geeks” who find themselves feeling connected to their favourite characters so the advertising technique used becomes more personal and persuasive.

Unlike the Sci Fi advert, this one lets us know what films are actually going to be shown during The British Connection themed season which focuses only on british films. It is also quite interesting that the directors and producers behind the advert used quite a few british conventions to shine through when this was broadcast. For example, the music playing in the background is from a British band, not steering away from the British theme, aswell as at the end, they play Olivers “Please sir, may I have some more”, which is a very popular quote. Aswell as Oliver asking for more, it’s a way of letting the audience know that they will be so excited by the movies that they will be wanting some more.

Even though technology is forever developing and now we are able to pause and record live television, Film4 as well as all of Channel4 Productions other channels, have an OnDemand channel, where all films broadcast can be shown online on the website.

The Film4 viewing figures from 1998 to 2008.

Since being available on digital television, more viewers have managed to tune in to the Channel.

By Fergine Nzita