Film Studio Research for AS Media Coursework

1. FILM STUDIO RESEARCH
By Brooke Medcalf

2. Warner Bros
Warner Bros studio was founded on 4thApril 1923 in Hollywood, California by the fourWarner
brothers - Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack.Throughout the years, the entertainment company has
been a huge success as theWarner library consists of more than 61,000 hours of programming
including nearly 7,000 feature films and 5,000 television programmes compromised of tens of
thousands of individual episodes.
In 2014,Warner Bros pictures grossed a total of $4.73 billion in the global box office making it
the sixth time it has crossed $4 billion.The studio also has offices located in 30 different
countries. In 2015 the most recent films created by the studio include: 'American Sniper', 'Mad
Max: Fury Road', 'Magic Mike XXL', 'Pan' and many others.
The most successful film as well as being one of the most successful thriller films is 'The Dark
Knight' making a total gross of $533,345,358.The most successful films made in 2015 by the
well known studio include 'The Hobbit:The Battle of the Five Armies', which was ranked
number one as it made a total gross of $44,213,806, 'InherentVice' which is ranked second by
making a total gross of $2,565,101 and finally at third rank is 'Horrible Bosses 2' making a total
gross of $1,963,347
They also work with companies such as Castle Rock Entertainment, Morgan Creek Productions
and Regency Enterprises.

3. 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox was founded by William Fox. His success story begins in 1904, he
was 25 years old at the time and in the thriving city of NewYork, on the lower East
side. He was in a compact theatre, with basic folding chairs along with a painted wall
for a screen where he would amaze audiences with his magical hand cranked films
that only cost 5 cent. Soon the popularity for these films increased as in 1915, there
was a chain of 25 theatres throughout the city to play these films. Due to this
amazing success, Fox left to go to sunny LA where he discovered the latest trends
and technology within the industry as he soon merged with the rising movie
powerhouseTwentieth Century Pictures, founded by Darryl F. Zanuch and Joseph M.
Schenck in 1933 which was soon renamed 20th Century Fox as its success continued
up until today's very date.
The most successful film by the studio is 'Avatar' with a total gross of $749,766,139.
Others include the 'StarWars' franchise, 'Independence Day' and 'Home Alone'.The
most successful film in 2015 was 'The Martian' as it made a total gross of
$225,345,353.

4. Universal Studios
Universal Studios was founded in 1912 by a motion picture visionary called Carl
Laemmle who was a German immigrant who had a dream to create a whole world of
entertainment in Southern California. Soon his dreams came true as on 15th March
1915, the opening of Universal Studios commenced in Hollywood. He said to the
press, “…just think what this would mean…to see the inner workings of the biggest
moving picture plant in the wide, wide world.A whole city where everyone is
engaged in the making of motion pictures, a fairyland where the craziest things in the
world happen.A place to think about and talk about for the rest of your days!"
Universal Studios most successful film as well as being the most successful in 2015 is
'JurassicWorld' which made a total gross of $652,270,625.The other most successful
films of 2015 include 'Furious 7', making a total gross of $353,007,020, as well as
'Minions' which made a total of $336,045,770.
Universal also work with companies such as Dreamworks and Columbia Pictures.

5. Lionsgate
Lionsgate was founded by Frank Giustra on the 3rd July 1997 inVancouver.The
headquarters for the company is located in Santa Monica,California.Well known
films produced by Lionsgate include 'The Hunger Games', 'Divergent', 'Twilight'
and the 'Saw' franchise.
The most successful film Lionsgate have produced so far is 'The Hunger Games:
Catching Fire', which made a total gross of $424,668,047.The top ranked film of
2015 is 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' as it made a total gross of
$269,569,121.The second most successful was 'The Divergent Series: Insurgent',
which made a total gross of $130,179,072. Both films of which emerged from two
best selling book trilogies which caused an uproar throughout social media as
there was a high anticipation for the film.
Lionsgate also work with other companies such as Relativity Media and Lakeshore
Entertainment.

6. Conclusion
After the research of each film studio, I have come to the conclusion that I
would distribute my film to Lionsgate.
The reason behind this is that my film will fall into the thriller category
and Lionsgate produce a wide range of thriller and horror films which
include the big names such as 'The Hunger Games' starring Jennifer
Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, 'Divergent' starring ShaileneWoodley and
Theo James, and 'Abduction' starringTaylor Lautner and LilyCollins.
My film will include a lot of suspense, mystery and some violence which
are usually included within thriller films therefore Lionsgate is the perfect
studio to distribute my film to.