THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
PRODUCTION
The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures, directed and co-produced by John Favreau and written by Justin Marks.
It was partly based on Disney's original version but drew more on Kipling's original books which had much darker tones and Disney wasn't as focused on aiming this version at a family audience.
The re-production continued the ongoing policy to create live-action versions of previously animated classics which gives the films momentum before they even begin.
CGI production was used to add the live-action.
Animals and landscapes were created on computers by the British digital effects house - MPC. Here they used the concept of realism rather than cartoon which hence targeted older movie-goers. This was also effective as this target age group will have previously enjoyed the original 1967 version throughout their childhood, and hence provides nostalgia.
Favreau wanted the film to be a homage to classic Disney films.
E.g. the opening sequence shows similar shots from original films such as Bambi.
Live action cannot create the same humour as cartoon, and so this also worked with the theme of linking this version more closely with Kipling's original books.
The 2016 version included original music as they used the same writers, for instance Richard Sherman. This was also done as Dreamwork's animation were also in the process of creating a new version though they hadn't yet brought the rights to the music which Disney owned, hence the musical numbers were added as Dreamwork's were unable to.
Characters were also re-invented to keep them up to date with changes in society, also having a major impact on the character animation.
E.g. the snake was created to be female who's character acts as a storyteller, with seductive undertones.
Character development was also reinforced through celebrity enforcement, for instance Christifa Walken who played the orangutan was cast specifically to go against the racism which was depicted in the original version.
Mowgli was also played by an actor of the same ethnicity rather than a white actor like in the original who was the directors son.
The opening of the film acts as a homage to the original as the shot pans from the traditional Disney castle into a jungle scene. This used a transition from multi-plane to cell animation.
The animators worked to stay true to the natural anatomical structure of the animals, as they didn't want the animals to have human properties. For example, the raising of eyebrows when talking.
The production of this 2016 version also had access to the vast Disney archives where the producers were able to look through all the unused footage from previous films, which provided the inspiration for the concept art created prior to animation.
The production used many processes to ensure that the live-action was as realistic as possible. Disney sent some workers to India where they photographed many environments which could then be translated through on the production of the landscapes.
The 2016 production team was huge in comparison to the original as it stretched worldwide to cater for countries which could provide specialist skills. The team also changed with society as the original version used only male workers however females were involved throughout the entire movie production, as well as the casting.
Many of those working in production also worked on the original version, for instance Richard Sherman who wrote the music.
OWNERSHIP, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
Disney leads the world in the production & distribution of popular culture, with their use of back catalogues to re-present products for new audiences helping this.
The re-make was planned by Alan Horn which was seen as a 'safe option', though this was popular as they were able to revive classic characters for a new generation of kids with already smitten parents - who are therefore more likely to purchase merchandise.
DVD sales declined and digital downloads increased.
Disney are no longer just re-releasing films but are now re-imagining.
Sean Baily credited the divisions escalating success rate to the silo systems which was initiated by the Chairman, Bob Iger and managed by Alan Horn. The silo systems are where each division stays in its own lane and isn't pressured to produce more than marketing machine can handle. (Disney makes 12 films per year, with the aim to be that at least 8 of these are a huge success).
Disney is conglomerate and diverse in its marketing.
2016 version was highly dependent on other companies, for example MPC in the UK, so was not fully made in-house as the 1967 version was, which was produced solely by Walt Disney Studios Production.
Warner Brother's also produced their own adaptation of the Jungle Book, which they held back the release for to give a break between Disney's version and their own. However this version was nowhere near as popular as Disney's remake.
Faveau was aware of the technological inter-relationship between the making and promotion, for example live-action was a selling point.
Disney uses social media to market the film up to the release date. (convergence)
E.g. releasing teaser trailers
E.g. behind the scenes footage
Disney also used traditional marketing tools such as theatrical trailers and printed posters though also uploaded interactive movie posters to Snapchat, which uses word-of-mouth as a free marketing tool.
The 2016 version film was tied to other partners for promotional opportunities with competitions.
Was produced in 3D as well as being one of the first films to be produced in Dolby Vision 3D, and in America 10% of showings were in IMAX.
Released on DVD, Blu-Ray and on digital downloads, for instance iTunes.
Disney also released a soundtrack album as well as merchandise in Disney Stores which were available online and on the high street. For example, Kenzo produced a range of clothing.
REGULATION
The grading of a film is based on:
TECHNOLOGY
The president of production, Sean Bailey, said that the 2016 version of the Jungle Book was ‘one of the most technologically advanced movies ever made’.
The film was made for a reported $175 million and shot with a single actor in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse.
There were many concerns with the development of technology being used on the 2016 version as many felt that it would ruin and dramatise the story line.
Avatar was a film that inspired Favreau to create the almost completing CGI version of the Jungle Book, as it's success could be replicated.
Favreau noted which of the images he could remember from the 1967 version as these were memorable to him and so were likely to be for the rest of the target audience. He wanted to focus on these images as they 'cut through the years'.
ECONOMICS/FUNDING
The 2016 version cost $175 million to produce, but opened with $103.6 million in North America (biggest April debut).
It grossed over $966 million, which is the 35th highest of all time.
Disney was and is the most successful major (company) over those such as Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. This success allows enough cushion for sustained losses, for example the 'BFG' which was released the same year.
Disney also owns Marvel Studios, which released Captain America in the same year.
The 2016 version was released in 70 countries, where it opened at different points in the year due to the aim towards school holiday dates.
It was also the biggest Hollywood release in India, as well as being successful in China due to the impressive 3D ticket sales.
It is now rumoured that a sequel is planned, which would continue on the success, due to be released in 2019.
MAINTAINING AUDIENCES
Highly developed corporate synergy results in any Disney production acting as an advertisement for any other product.
The 2016 version was targeted towards a wide range of age groups...
The film was embraced by critics and therefore audiences as well, as official opinions are often trusted.
The marketing by Disney for the Jungle Book 2016 has been recently compared to a political campaign.
The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures, directed and co-produced by John Favreau and written by Justin Marks.
It was partly based on Disney's original version but drew more on Kipling's original books which had much darker tones and Disney wasn't as focused on aiming this version at a family audience.
The re-production continued the ongoing policy to create live-action versions of previously animated classics which gives the films momentum before they even begin.
CGI production was used to add the live-action.
Animals and landscapes were created on computers by the British digital effects house - MPC. Here they used the concept of realism rather than cartoon which hence targeted older movie-goers. This was also effective as this target age group will have previously enjoyed the original 1967 version throughout their childhood, and hence provides nostalgia.
Favreau wanted the film to be a homage to classic Disney films.
E.g. the opening sequence shows similar shots from original films such as Bambi.
Live action cannot create the same humour as cartoon, and so this also worked with the theme of linking this version more closely with Kipling's original books.
The 2016 version included original music as they used the same writers, for instance Richard Sherman. This was also done as Dreamwork's animation were also in the process of creating a new version though they hadn't yet brought the rights to the music which Disney owned, hence the musical numbers were added as Dreamwork's were unable to.
Characters were also re-invented to keep them up to date with changes in society, also having a major impact on the character animation.
E.g. the snake was created to be female who's character acts as a storyteller, with seductive undertones.
Character development was also reinforced through celebrity enforcement, for instance Christifa Walken who played the orangutan was cast specifically to go against the racism which was depicted in the original version.
Mowgli was also played by an actor of the same ethnicity rather than a white actor like in the original who was the directors son.
The opening of the film acts as a homage to the original as the shot pans from the traditional Disney castle into a jungle scene. This used a transition from multi-plane to cell animation.
The animators worked to stay true to the natural anatomical structure of the animals, as they didn't want the animals to have human properties. For example, the raising of eyebrows when talking.
The production of this 2016 version also had access to the vast Disney archives where the producers were able to look through all the unused footage from previous films, which provided the inspiration for the concept art created prior to animation.
The production used many processes to ensure that the live-action was as realistic as possible. Disney sent some workers to India where they photographed many environments which could then be translated through on the production of the landscapes.
The 2016 production team was huge in comparison to the original as it stretched worldwide to cater for countries which could provide specialist skills. The team also changed with society as the original version used only male workers however females were involved throughout the entire movie production, as well as the casting.
Many of those working in production also worked on the original version, for instance Richard Sherman who wrote the music.
OWNERSHIP, MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION
Disney leads the world in the production & distribution of popular culture, with their use of back catalogues to re-present products for new audiences helping this.
The re-make was planned by Alan Horn which was seen as a 'safe option', though this was popular as they were able to revive classic characters for a new generation of kids with already smitten parents - who are therefore more likely to purchase merchandise.
DVD sales declined and digital downloads increased.
Disney are no longer just re-releasing films but are now re-imagining.
Sean Baily credited the divisions escalating success rate to the silo systems which was initiated by the Chairman, Bob Iger and managed by Alan Horn. The silo systems are where each division stays in its own lane and isn't pressured to produce more than marketing machine can handle. (Disney makes 12 films per year, with the aim to be that at least 8 of these are a huge success).
Disney is conglomerate and diverse in its marketing.
2016 version was highly dependent on other companies, for example MPC in the UK, so was not fully made in-house as the 1967 version was, which was produced solely by Walt Disney Studios Production.
Warner Brother's also produced their own adaptation of the Jungle Book, which they held back the release for to give a break between Disney's version and their own. However this version was nowhere near as popular as Disney's remake.
Faveau was aware of the technological inter-relationship between the making and promotion, for example live-action was a selling point.
Disney uses social media to market the film up to the release date. (convergence)
E.g. releasing teaser trailers
E.g. behind the scenes footage
Disney also used traditional marketing tools such as theatrical trailers and printed posters though also uploaded interactive movie posters to Snapchat, which uses word-of-mouth as a free marketing tool.
The 2016 version film was tied to other partners for promotional opportunities with competitions.
Was produced in 3D as well as being one of the first films to be produced in Dolby Vision 3D, and in America 10% of showings were in IMAX.
Released on DVD, Blu-Ray and on digital downloads, for instance iTunes.
Disney also released a soundtrack album as well as merchandise in Disney Stores which were available online and on the high street. For example, Kenzo produced a range of clothing.
REGULATION
The grading of a film is based on:
- swearing
- sex & nudity
- smoking & drug use
- violence & gore
- frightening & intense scenes
The 2016 version of the Jungle Book is graded a 'PG' rather than a 'U' due to these above factors.
E.g. Swearing
- N/A
E.g. Sex & nudity
- The main character only wears a loincloth throughout the film.
E.g. Smoking & drug use
- There is a scene showing some celebration at the 'man village' with people holding drinks though their content is unclear.
E.g. Violence & gore
- Scenes are shown of animals fighting though no details of injury are shown, though the killing of a man is shown through a shadow.
E.g. Frightening & intense scenes
- Characters are shown in intense situations
- Close up shots are shown of Shere Khan's scars
- Starting of fire
- Grief followed from death
Jon Favreau didn't push the film for a 'U' certificate as this allowed for a wider audience, especially as older generations (parents) already know the story and will trust from that rather than solely the rating.
TECHNOLOGY
The president of production, Sean Bailey, said that the 2016 version of the Jungle Book was ‘one of the most technologically advanced movies ever made’.
The film was made for a reported $175 million and shot with a single actor in a downtown Los Angeles warehouse.
There were many concerns with the development of technology being used on the 2016 version as many felt that it would ruin and dramatise the story line.
Avatar was a film that inspired Favreau to create the almost completing CGI version of the Jungle Book, as it's success could be replicated.
Favreau noted which of the images he could remember from the 1967 version as these were memorable to him and so were likely to be for the rest of the target audience. He wanted to focus on these images as they 'cut through the years'.
ECONOMICS/FUNDING
The 2016 version cost $175 million to produce, but opened with $103.6 million in North America (biggest April debut).
It grossed over $966 million, which is the 35th highest of all time.
Disney was and is the most successful major (company) over those such as Warner Brothers and Universal Studios. This success allows enough cushion for sustained losses, for example the 'BFG' which was released the same year.
Disney also owns Marvel Studios, which released Captain America in the same year.
The 2016 version was released in 70 countries, where it opened at different points in the year due to the aim towards school holiday dates.
It was also the biggest Hollywood release in India, as well as being successful in China due to the impressive 3D ticket sales.
It is now rumoured that a sequel is planned, which would continue on the success, due to be released in 2019.
MAINTAINING AUDIENCES
Highly developed corporate synergy results in any Disney production acting as an advertisement for any other product.
The 2016 version was targeted towards a wide range of age groups...
- E.g. targeting action adventure fans not just traditional Disney fans
- E.g. targeting male audiences (technology & visual effects)
- E.g. parents (50% over 25's)
- E.g. children/teens (35% 18-24)
The marketing by Disney for the Jungle Book 2016 has been recently compared to a political campaign.
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