2. Media Ownership
Warp films is an independent British film company which was set up in 1989 through
record label Warp Records. Warp records created Warp Films, Warp X, Warp Music
Videos & Commercials and Warps afflicted company Warp Films Australia. The company
which is based in Sheffield and London is truly independent and therefore,
consequently, focuses on producing low-budget films with unique, and sometimes,
controversial storylines. The absence of strong Media Ownership results in Warp Films
having small budgets. It often works with other studios to produce films as, unlike
Working Title which is owned by Universal Studios and has support from 20th century
Fox, it doesn’t have financial backing. Warp Films was set up with funding for NESTA
(National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts) which allowed the company
to develop even though it was without prominent Media Ownership (unlike one owned
by a ‘Big 6’ company).
Advantages of being without strong media ownership like Working Title:
• Create genre specific films as they don’t have a need to draw huge audiences
• Be controversial and honest- storylines audiences can relate to
Disadvantages
• Small budgets- unable to use special effects or well-known actors
• Less resources and connections needed for distribution
3. Synergy and Cross Media Convergence
The definition of synergy in terms of film can be seen through film companies working
together advantageously. A company may work together with another ( most likely to be
larger and more successful) to use its studios and resources and then work together with one
of its subsidiary companies to release the soundtrack.
Synergy in terms of Warp Films ( Four Lions 2010)
• Produced by Warp Films
• Worked alongside Film 4
• Distributed by Optimum Releasing
• Worked with Wild Bunch for international sales which is a division of StudioCanal, a French
company owned by Vivendi
Australian film distributor Madman
• Showcased at Sundance Festival Entertainment announced a collaboration
• Was shown in some large cinemas ( Odeon, Vue) with Warp Films to make at lease two films
The example of Warp Film’s ‘Four Lions’ shows how synergy has been used throughout the
process of production to consumption. The low-budget film company employed the help of
other companies for use of studios, sales and distribution. One of Warp Films key financial
backers is Optimum Releasing who are involved closely with the development and distribution
of Warps’ products. Synergy is used in both independent and large-scale film companies in
order to create the best quality film that will attract and reach the largest number of people
possible. For Large- scale companies synergy would be used to reach the mass market where
independent film companies target a specific group.
4. New Media Technologies
New media technologies are developed in order to appeal to large audiences and reach the mass market.
In the current day, there are numerous ways to watch films anywhere at any time. New media
technologies increase access to films of all origins from small-scale independent companies to one of the
‘Big 6’ media conglomerates. Films are accessibly via technology such as: cinema (IMAX and improved
digital), television ( satellite, cable, digital terrestrial), computers, smart phones, tablets, game consoles
and websites such as Netflix and LoveFilm. Advances in technology has made it possible for anyone to
create films and showcase them on the internet on sites like YouTube.
Advances in new technology has made it easier for audiences to become aware of the films of
independent film companies. Companies are able to make their films noticed through setting up specific
websites to draw an audience in- this happened with Warp Films ‘Four Lions’. A website was set up to give
the audience knowledge of the film, its plot and characters and appeal to people through un-censored
humour and controversial, uncommon themes. Disney and Pixar, parts of the ‘Big 6’, also used advanced
technology in web design, interactive, special effects and higher quality internet and broadband to create
their specific website for ‘Monsters Inc. University’ to consume audiences and promote the film and
related products.
New Media Technologies are advantageous for Warp Films as it enables their films to have access to
people through every day forms (e.g. smart phones, laptops, internet and game consoles.) Whereas,
previously, Independent film companies only reached a very specific following, they are now able to reach
a wide variety of people. An example of this is with Warp’s films (including ‘ This is England’ and ‘Four
Lions’) which appear on both ‘LoveFilm’ and ‘Netflix’ allowing viewers to watch the films anywhere at any
time.
5. The Spread of Technology
and the Proliferation of technology (hardware)
As technology continues to improve worldwide, films gain the ability to reach fresh new
audiences. As technology spreads and improves, films become easier to produce and therefore
the number of independent film companies/makers increase.
As technology spreads, more people have access to equipment which allows them to create films
and then share them using tablets/laptops and computers on blogs or sites like YouTube.
Independent film companies have access to high quality equipment enabling them to produce
more aesthetically good films which will gain them more recognition in the industry and in terms
of audiences. However, the spread of technology can increase piracy as more people have access
to discreet or simply the correct recording equipment. This could be helped by countries now
receiving the film with a smaller time space between them- preventing the demand for piracy
from different countries.
The proliferation of hardware enables film companies to broaden their product options. A new
format of films is Blu-ray which can be played on devices such as game consoles and is a higher-
quality form of film. This benefits independent film companies by enabling them to distribute
their films with the ability to be played in a higher quality form.
The spread of technology benefits both Warp Films (independent companies) and the media
conglomerates as it widens their audience possibilities and allows a diversity use of equipment.
The spread of technology also allows more independent companies to be set up as more people
have access to the required equipment, resources and networking options.
6. Technological Convergence
Technological Convergence: This is the joining of two or more distinct technologies to create one multi-
functioning device with several purposes. For example: An ‘iPad’ is a tablet computer which allows the
user to access the internet, watch films through various websites or downloadable programmes (iTunes)
and create their own films through either one of two cameras which can be uploaded straight to
YouTube. ‘iPad’s can also be used for social networking with apps for websites such as ‘Facebook’ and
‘Twitter’ whereas sound tracks can be listened to or downloaded through ‘Spotify’ and ‘iTunes’.
Technological Convergence is beneficial to independent film company Warp Films as it enables them to
target their audiences through minimal devices. Due to the use and demand of smart phones, Warp films
could even manufacture an app which would appeal to many and promote the films. Social networking
has never been more accessible which has resulted in Warp Films creating
both a Facebook page and a Twitter page. It is the Disadvantage: Piracy is
convergence of technologies which has improved knowledge made easier
of Warps’ films and allowed them the ability to reach
Audiences which may not have been interested or accessible
In the past.
Technological Convergence has made it easier for even smaller
Independent film makers to share their films through being able to
research, film, network and share the films on one single device.
This image shows the elimination of the need for various devices
as the smart phone increases its functions and purpose. This
makes accessing audiences easier for film companies/makers of
any size.
7. Big Industries Targeting British Audiences
With more big industry film companies targeting the British audience, small independent film
companies are struggling to survive and beat the Hollywood giants and their much anticipated
films. Media Conglomerates belong to the ‘Big 6’ and include film companies such as Universal and
Warner Bros. With the companies, and their subsidiary companies distributing large volumes of
films to Britain, independent film companies are decreasing in popularity and are more unable to
make their films successful.
Warp X, a company connected to Warp Films and one also branched from Warp Records, fights
against the media conglomerates by ensuring their films are purely British and are shot within the
UK. They are part of the UK Film Council and Film4’s plans to provide new opportunity and talent in
British film to improve its success rate. Warps Films’ ‘This is England’ highlights the strongly British
aspect of their films and shows how success can still be found by British film through the
competition with the big industries.
Warp Films is disadvantaged due to not being part of strong Media Ownership unlike Working Title
who have the backing of parent company Universal Studios to promote and distribute their films.
The Media Conglomerates a threat to Independent film companies because:
• They are larger budgets and therefore can make better quality films with special effects
• Have more ‘univeral’ plots which are not specific or controversial like most independent films
and therefore appeal to more people
• Create serialised films which draw audiences in a sustain them
• Can afford better and more advertising which allows their films to reach more audiences.
8. Personal Media Consumption
Films are a prominent form of Media in my life. I frequently watch films through several
different technologies. Films are made increasingly accessible through the development of
technology which maximises the possibilities of how to watch films through different devices.
The continuous development of this has enabled me to watch films through a number of
methods:
• Most frequently I watch films on television through DVDs.
• Television- Cable, Satellite, Digital Terrestrial
• Internet- Through the website ‘LoveFilm’ I am able to watch films through my laptop
• I use my IPod to purchase and watch films
My overall media consumption is fairly large as I have access to a number of devices of which
I can watch films on. Technological convergence also enables people to watch films on
demand anywhere. Through these avenues I frequently see trailers and promotions
advertising films which enables film companies to reach their audiences.
Personal media consumption is becoming increasingly higher across developed countries due
to the improved access. This affects Warp Films as their films can reach large audiences- more
than previously possible due to independent film companies having small followings of only
those with knowledge of them.
