Method 5: Research into Warp Films

G322 B Institutions and Audiences Case Study on “This is England and Warp Films.

Research into Warp Films

Information on Warp Films: gained from www.WarpFilms.com
Warp Films has created some of the most exciting pieces of British film making in the last five years. It has won numerous plaudits and awards (including three BAFTAs) since being set up in 2002.

'My Wrongs 8245-8249 and 117' was Warp’s first short film and was directed by Chris Morris. It won the BAFTA in 2003 and for its television premiere on Channel 4, more than one million viewers tuned in to watch it. Warp sold an astounding 22,000 DVDs of My Wrongs and was the first DVD single in the UK market.

Warp's debut feature 'Dead Man's Shoes', directed by Shane Meadows, received a record eight British Independent Film Award nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Achievement in Production. ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ was also nominated for a BAFTA and won the Southbank Award for Best Film. The film has received nothing less that rave reviews across the board, and is being hailed by some as a landmark in British cinema.

Chris Cunningham directed Warp's next film, Rubber Johnny, –an experimental short and 42-page book that shocked and amazed audiences.

Following Rubber Johnny Warp made the critical success 'Grow Your Own', a film written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (24-Hour Party People), which tackled the subject of immigration.

In 2006 Warp made their most successful production to date: 'This is England', the story of Shaun, a boy who is befriended by a local skin-head gang after his father is killed in the Falklands war. With its evocative soundtrack, dazzling young star and emotive content it has won numerous international festival awards as well as scooping Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards and Best British Film at the BAFTAs. At the same award ceremony Warp collected it's third BAFTA as Paddy Considine's directorial debut 'Dog Altogether' won best short.

Warp Films has also worked closely with the Arctic Monkeys, producing two music videos for them and collaborating on the short film 'Scummy Man' starring Stephen Graham, which won best music video at this year's NME awards. Richard Ayoade has recently directed a feature length live show film with of them. Shot at their final concert of a world tour.

Warp Films' development slate currently includes projects with directors Shane Meadows, Chris Morris, Chris Cunningham, Richard Ayoade, David Slade and Lynne Ramsay. They are also dedicated to seeking out new voices; this goal is reflected in their recent ventures into promo making and the new digital slate, Warp X.

Explaining the Purpose of Warp Films:

Warp Films are different from any other film company as they support independent and unique films, instead of the mainstream Hollywood block busters. Warp Films have created a number of successful British movies, such as “Dead Man Shoes” directed by Shane Meadows which received a record eight British Independent Film Award nominations. Warp Films don’t follow the route of Hollywood and USA films, yet they create and support the independent British film industry. For example, in 2006 they created there most successful film yet “This Is England,” also directed by Shane Meadows, which is film completely based on England’s traditional and historical values.
Warp Films also make the type of films which tend to show the reality of Britain. For example, they don’t make films which portray an image of British people talking in a posh London accent like the Queen and go round shooting pheasants all day. Yet instead, the type of films directed show perhaps the “rougher” side of England, and the lower class.

Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham first forged his relationship with Warp Records in 1995 with his debut promo “Second Bad Vibel” for Autechre, and since has directed a score of mind-bending videos for the likes of Squarepusher, Bjork, Madonna, Portishead and most memorably, Aphex Twin. His role within Warp Films is that at the moment he is currently developing a feature length script with Warp Films. He has also created films such as “Rubber Johnny” – an experimental short and 42 page books.

Chris Cunningham’s Music Video “Africa Shox.”

Chris Cunningham’s music video is shocking, and certainly portrays America in a bad view, as it’s representing how white Americans treated Black African/Americans. The main guy in the film looks like a completely broken man, with no-where to go. At one point during the music video, you see a white man sitting down on the bench reading a newspaper completely ignoring the black African/American, which proves how badly treated they were and possibly still our.
There are certain resemblances to “Africa Shox,” and Shane Meadow’s film “This is England.” For example, Africa Shox and This is England both show the reality of their countries. For instance, This is England portrays the real image of what England is actually like, and shows the lower class side of living in a British city, and Africa Shox portrays the harsh reality of how people are still treated in America, not the rich living white Americans. Both films also use quite real life settings, as This is England uses the setting of a rough end of Grimsby, and the setting of Africa Shox looks as if it’s also set in a rough city in America.