The document outlines key concepts about the structure of the contemporary Hollywood and UK film industries. It discusses how Hollywood is dominated by six major film studio conglomerates that operate through subsidiary companies. These conglomerates, like TimeWarner, use vertical integration across subsidiaries and internal synergy to be involved in all aspects of film production and distribution. The document also discusses the UK film industry, noting that Working Title Films is a major production company owned by Universal Studios, and there are also various independent UK production companies.

1. Lesson outcomes
 Know the structure of the contemporary Hollywood
studio system
 Know the structure of the UK film industry
 Use key words to apply your knowledge and
understanding

2. Key terminology
Conglomerate
Oligopoly/ hegemony
Subsidiary company
Multi-industry company
Vertical integration
Horizontal integration
Synergy (internal and external)

3. The ‘Big 6’
Warner
Bros
Paramount
Colombia Pics/
MGM
Fox Studios Disney
Universal
Hollywood is dominated by the ‘Big 6’ film studios:
Timewarner, Viacom, Sony, Comcast/ General Electric,
Disney and News Corporation. Individually, they are
conglomerates.

4. Timewarner is a conglomerate
Conglomerates can be
formed by merging a
number of businesses
together. The term refers
to a multi-industry
company.

5. The Timewarner conglomerate
Timewarner Warner Bros.
Entertainment
HBO
Warner
Bros.
pictures
New Line
Cinema
HBO
Castle Rock
entertainment
Warner Bros
animation
These are known as SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

6. Vertical integration: Timewarner
Several firms involved in all aspects of the
production and distribution of a film…all working for one
company
Eg. All working for TIMEWARNER
The companies are
subsidiary companies

7. Internal Synergy
Synergy is the promotion and sale of a product
throughout the various subsidiaries of a media
conglomerate.
Soundtrack
Magazine reviews
Sells merchandise
Co- funded

8. American Indie films owned by
Timewarner.
Made films like March of the
Penguins . Has now been closed
down.
Most famous film is Pans Labyrinth
Films made/ distributed at these
studios tend to have a budget of less
than $20

9. UK Films: Working Title Studio
Owned by…
A British film production company owned by Universal Studios. Has made
films such as Love Actually, Notting Hill, The World’s End.

10. UK Independent film production
companies

11. Horizontal integration
Where a company (institution) looks to other
companies for funding to help them produce and
distribute their product.
This has advantages and
disadvantages….what do you think they are?

12. Write a paragraph about the structure of the US/ UK film
industries. Try to include all the words below.
Timewarner
Picturehouse
Conglomerate
Oligopoly/ hegemony
Subsidiary company
Multi-industry company
Vertical integration
Horizontal integration
Synergy (internal and external)
Working Title films
Warp/ Film 4

13. You need to find out...
Producer/ director
Release date
Budget
How much it made in the first week of release
Main actors
Locations (where was it filmed?)