Distribution new technologies

Impact of technology

Film DistributionWho is in charge?

Technologies

Film DistributionWho is in charge?

Technologies

Topics for exam» The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;

» The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, marketing and exchange;

» The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;

» The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;

» The importance of cross media convergence and synergy, in production, distribution and marketing;

» The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international and global institutions;

» The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.

» The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;

» The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, marketing and exchange;

» The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;

» The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;

» The importance of cross media convergence and synergy, in production, distribution and marketing;

» The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international and global institutions;

» The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.

Monsters (2010)•GB Science fiction film•Vertigo films•Directed by Gareth Edwards•Cost $500,000 to make•Took $4.2 million approx•Gareth Edwards was cinematographer, visual effects director and storyboard designer too.•$15,000 for filming equipmentMostly non-actors•Improvised•Used Adobe software, ZBrush and Autodesk 3ds Max for special effects•Once the film was locked, Edwards had five months to create all 250 visual effects shots, a process he undertook in his bedroom. "[I was] churning out about two shots a day, which was fine until I got to the first creature shot. Then suddenly two months went by and I still hadn't finished a single creature shot; it turned out to be the hardest part of the whole process." Due to time constraints, the sound effects had to be produced before the special effects were undertaken.[10] Edwards claimed that the advances in computer technology in recent years made it possible for him to create the films visual effects on such a low budget; "You can go in the shop now and you can buy a laptop that's faster than the computers they made Jurassic Park on"

•GB Science fiction film•Vertigo films•Directed by Gareth Edwards•Cost $500,000 to make•Took $4.2 million approx•Gareth Edwards was cinematographer, visual effects director and storyboard designer too.•$15,000 for filming equipmentMostly non-actors•Improvised•Used Adobe software, ZBrush and Autodesk 3ds Max for special effects•Once the film was locked, Edwards had five months to create all 250 visual effects shots, a process he undertook in his bedroom. "[I was] churning out about two shots a day, which was fine until I got to the first creature shot. Then suddenly two months went by and I still hadn't finished a single creature shot; it turned out to be the hardest part of the whole process." Due to time constraints, the sound effects had to be produced before the special effects were undertaken.[10] Edwards claimed that the advances in computer technology in recent years made it possible for him to create the films visual effects on such a low budget; "You can go in the shop now and you can buy a laptop that's faster than the computers they made Jurassic Park on"

How was it marketed?

» What is foursquare?

» Internet research – How was Monsters distributed and exhibited?

» Who distributed it in the UK?

» What is foursquare?

» Internet research – How was Monsters distributed and exhibited?

» Who distributed it in the UK?

Independent example

Expendables

» Take over youtube…

» Haywire» Limitless» Kung Fu Panda 2 all did the samehttp://digital-

examples.blogspot.com/search/label/films

» Take over youtube…

» Haywire» Limitless» Kung Fu Panda 2 all did the samehttp://digital-

examples.blogspot.com/search/label/films

UK distributors

» United International Pictures (UIP)» Warner Bros» Buena Vista» Twentieth Century Fox» Sony» 9/10 films are distributed through

these companies.

» United International Pictures (UIP)» Warner Bros» Buena Vista» Twentieth Century Fox» Sony» 9/10 films are distributed through

these companies.

» Most linked to Hollywood production companies.

» They deal with distributors who used to be owned by them but work with them for reasons of profit.

» Who prioritize US films over any others

» Able to have a blanket release.» Able to create an ‘event’.» 1/2 the films released do not reach

the entire country.

» Most linked to Hollywood production companies.

» They deal with distributors who used to be owned by them but work with them for reasons of profit.

» Who prioritize US films over any others

» Able to have a blanket release.» Able to create an ‘event’.» 1/2 the films released do not reach

the entire country.

A MUST!

» You must not see film distribution as a helpful stage for a film.

» Films do not get treated equally» The big companies who control

much of the industry control distribution of their own products and others.

» You must not see film distribution as a helpful stage for a film.

» Films do not get treated equally» The big companies who control

much of the industry control distribution of their own products and others.

Effectively…

» In the UK film market, an increase in the number of screens as not led to an increase in the number of films shown.

» In the UK film market, an increase in the number of screens as not led to an increase in the number of films shown.

The Monsters

THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN RECENT YEARS AT THE LEVELS OF PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND EXCHANGE;

Exam topicExam topic

BLURRING OF LINES BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND INDUSTRY. MEDIA/WEB 2.0.

Gauntlett (2007)Gauntlett (2007)

New technologies

ConglomerateConglomerate IndependentIndependent

In groups produce a presentation that highlights, with examples the impact that new technologies have had on a stage of production, distribution or exchange for your chosen example.

Case studies you could use…

ConglomerateConglomerate» The Dark Knight» The Boat That Rocked» Paul» Any Contemporary

working title production» Star Wars Episode 1: 3D

» The Dark Knight» The Boat That Rocked» Paul» Any Contemporary

working title production» Star Wars Episode 1: 3D

IndependentIndependent» Four Lions» Monsters» Paranormal activity» Slumdog Millionaire» Shifty

» Four Lions» Monsters» Paranormal activity» Slumdog Millionaire» Shifty

The technologies you may wish to consider:CGI, Digital technology, the Internet, mobile

phones etc.

The proliferation of technology who does it

help?ConglomeratesConglomerates IndependentsIndependents

Example question

» Discuss the ways in which media product(s) are produced audiences, within a media area, which you have studied.

» Discuss the ways in which media product(s) are produced audiences, within a media area, which you have studied.

Internet activity

» In pairs you will be given a conglomerate.

» What do they own?

» Viacom» General Electric» News Corporation» Time Warner

» In pairs you will be given a conglomerate.

» What do they own?

» Viacom» General Electric» News Corporation» Time Warner

HOW COULD EACH DO MEDIA CONVERGENCE?

ActivityActivity

» Small companies cannot afford to make many prints so larger companies dominate

» So for smaller films have to wait to be seen as independent cinemas such as the Cornerhouse.

» UK film council is tried to address the problem via the digital screen network

» Placing free digital projectors in cinemas.

» Small companies cannot afford to make many prints so larger companies dominate

» So for smaller films have to wait to be seen as independent cinemas such as the Cornerhouse.

» UK film council is tried to address the problem via the digital screen network

» Placing free digital projectors in cinemas.

Classification

» Crucial stage to Film Distribution» Produce a set of guidelines» It is self regulatory» Film makers and producers have

limited control» It could targeted and promoted

for a 15 audience however could get an 18 certificate by the BBFC!

» Crucial stage to Film Distribution» Produce a set of guidelines» It is self regulatory» Film makers and producers have

limited control» It could targeted and promoted

for a 15 audience however could get an 18 certificate by the BBFC!

Council?

» What power does the council have over BBFC?

» What power does the council have over BBFC?

BBFC considerations

1. LEGAL - Material may break the law - there are several laws to do with obscenity, equality, incitement and the protection of children

2. PROTECTIVE - Material is scrutinised for its potential to cause harm

3. SOCIETAL - Material is reviewed with broader public image in mind like bad language

1. LEGAL - Material may break the law - there are several laws to do with obscenity, equality, incitement and the protection of children

2. PROTECTIVE - Material is scrutinised for its potential to cause harm

3. SOCIETAL - Material is reviewed with broader public image in mind like bad language