Lesson 1 the film industry

Lesson 1 The Film IndustryProduction, Distribution, Exhibition• Section B• Institutions and Audiences• A case study of the Film industry

• 1 Exam Question - 45 minutes

Areas for focus:• the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;

• The importance/influence of the ‘big six’: Disney, Paramount, Warner, Universal, Columbia and 20t C.Fox.

• the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing ;

• Internet, newspapers, radio, television, billboard posters, Social Media (Facebook/Twitter) etc.• the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and

exchange;

• Such things as Netflix, Love Film, 3D, home cinema, Digital camera/projector.

• the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;

• Eg. 3D, Digital Camera/projector, home cinema, Smart TVs, Laptops, Tablets , the effect of Piracy etc

• the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;

• Internet, Netflix, Love Film, home cinema, Smart TVs, Laptops, Tablets etc. , Social Media like Facebook and Twitter.

• the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions

• How are we targeted? How much choice do we have?

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

• Where, When and How do you watch films? What do you watch? How typical are you? Piracy?

The Examination• Of these seven key areas, one will be the focus of the exam question.

For example:

“Discuss the issues raised by an institutions need to target specific audiences within a media industry which you have studied.”

The Examination• To be successful in the exam you must be able to confidently discuss

any of the seven key areas.• You must make clear references to real examples of recent films (one

large Hollywood / one small British), directors, studios, production companies, distributors and exhibitors. • You will be expected to show a good overall knowledge of the Film

Industry.

The Chain

Production

Here's the path a film usually takes to get to your local theatre:• Someone has an idea for a film.• They create an outline and use it to promote interest in the idea.• A studio or independent investor decides to purchase rights to the film.• People are brought together to make the film (screenwriter, producer, director, cast, crew).• The film is completed and sent to the studio.• The studio makes a licensing agreement with a distribution company.• If the film has been filmed in celluloid, the distribution company determines how many

copies (prints) of the film to make.• The distribution company shows the film (screening) to prospective buyers representing the

cinemas (sometimes Film Festivals).• The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which films they wish to lease and

the terms of the lease agreement.

Continued ………• The Film Distributors are responsible for marketing and publicity.• The better the publicity the more people see the film and the more

money that is made.• The prints / digital downloads are sent to the cinemas a few days before

the opening day.• The cinema shows the film for a specified number of weeks

(engagement).• You buy a ticket and watch the movie.• At the end of the engagement, the theatre sends the print back to the

distribution company and makes payment on the lease agreement.

Production

• Refers to the making of the film:

• Finding the idea• Writing the script• Pitching it to a studio• Setting a budget• Casting stars and employing a crew• Filming• Editing