Institutional Context

Companies, most popular/successful films of that genre, box office figures

Revolver is one of the UK leading "All Rights" distribution & production companies. They have distributed many successful Urban drama films like Kidulthood/Adulthood, Shank and Ill manors.

In the past 10 years Revolver's independent spirit and flair has been awarded with 18 of the industry's top awards for marketing excellence.

Paramount Pictures Corporation (commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount) is a film and television production/distribution studio, consistently ranked as one of the largest (top-grossing) film studios. Paramount distributed the successful American urban drama – Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

Paramount has been running for over 100 years now, it is well known and well established all over the world; Paramount has also been awarded many awards for its services over these 100 years.

Most popular British Urban Dramas

• Kidulthood– This 2006 UK urban drama was a major hit when it first came out and is still deeply enjoyed today. It is all about the lives of a group of troubled 15 year olds living in West London. The majority of the characters in the film generally behave in a aggressive and reckless manner. They are portrayed as being antisocial young people who commit crimes such as petty theft and serious violence. The film also showcases how the characters engage in recreational drug taking behavior. It was directed by Menhaj Huda and written by Noel Clarke, who also stars in the film as ‘Sam’. Kidulthood (along with the sequel ‘Adulthood’) is up there with the best UK Urban dramas of recent years.

• Shank - Shank is a 2010 British urban drama/action film directed by first-time filmmaker Mo Ali and written by Paul Van Carter. Like Kidulthood and Adulthood it was also shot in London. The movie stars Adam Deacon, Bashy, Jennie Jacques, Kaya Scodelario and Kedar Williams- Stirling in the lead roles. It was released on 26 March 2010. Shank was distributed by the company ‘Revolver Entertainment’.

• Top Boy - Top Boy is a British television Urban drama series that was first broadcast on Channel 4. Season 1 was 4 episodes broadcast over consecutive nights and the season 2 was 4 episodes broadcasted over consecutive weeks. Top Boy was also viewed by a large audience as it was shown/distributed by Channel 4 which is free for anyone with a TV license to watch. This urban drama focused on drugs and how young people get influenced to be involved in the selling of dangerous substances and how that is never a good idea. Key characters include Ashley Walters, Kane Robinson, Sharon Duncan Brewster and Geoff Bell.

Box Office Figures

KidulthoodBudget - £600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend - £100,056

(5 March 2006 - 41 screens)

Gross

£100,056 (UK) (5 March 2006)

AdulthoodOpening Weekend

£1,203,319 (UK) (22 June 2008) (157 screens)

Gross

£3,247,651 (UK) (13 July 2008)

£2,997,371 (UK) (6 July 2008)

£2,402,166 (UK) (29 June 2008)

£1,203,319 (UK) (22 June 2008)

ShankBudget£385,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend£469,213 (UK) (2 April 2010)£278,906 (UK) (29 March 2010)£278,906 (UK) (28 March 2010)

Gross£550,213 (UK) (19 April 2010)

8 MileBudget - $41,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend

$51,240,555 (USA) (10 November 2002)£4,440,334 (UK) (19 January 2003)$35,565 (Argentina) (28 January 2003)€2,865,767 (Italy) (16 March 2003)€2,584,717 (Spain) (9 February 2003)

Gross

$242,875,078 (Worldwide) (13 August 2012)

$116,724,075 (USA) (9 March 2003)

£12,974,253 (UK) (23 February 2003)

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’Budget - $40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend$12,020,807 (USA) (13 November 2005) (1,652 Screens)£803,489 (UK) (22 January 2006)

Gross$30,981,850 (USA) (29 January 2006) £1,875,913 (UK) (5 February 2006)

Bullet BoyOpening Weekend£140,332 (UK) (10 April 2005)

Gross£297,735 (UK) (17 April 2005)

Weekend Gross£81,183 (UK) (17 April 2005) £140,332 (UK) (10 April 2005)