This document outlines the key areas of focus for the Audiences and Institutions revision pack. It discusses processes of media production, distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions like the film industry. It also covers the nature of audience consumption and the relationship between audiences and institutions. Additionally, it lists several important topics students should be familiar with, including media ownership, cross-media convergence, new technologies, proliferation of content, and how global institutions target national and local audiences. The document stresses using contemporary case studies to approach this unit and provides examples of past exam questions focusing on these key areas.

1. Audiences and Institutions
Revision Pack
KKS
The focus for Audiences and Institutions:
Discuss the processes of production, distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to
contemporary media institutions (the film industry), as well as the nature of audience
consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions.
In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
y The issues raised by media ownership;
y The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and
marketing;
y technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production,
distribution, marketing and exchange;
y The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
y The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
y The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by
international or global institutions;
y The ways in which your own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider
patterns and trends of audience behaviour.
This unit should be approached through contemporary examples in the form of case studies .

2. Glossary:
TERM: DEFINITION:

3. Past Questions:
Answer the question below, making detailed reference to examples from
your case study material to support the points made in your answer:
‡ Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed
to audiences, within a media area which you have studied. (Jan 2009)
‡ How important is technological convergence for institutions and
audiences within a media area which you have studied . (Jun 2009)
‡ ͚Media production is dominated by global institutions which sell their
products and services to national audiences.͛ To what extent do you
agree with the statement? (Jan 2010)
‡ What significance does the continuing development of digital me dia
technology have for media institutions and audiences? (June 2010)
‡ (Jan 2011)

4. Facts about
the
company:
E.g.
Owners;
Established:
Reputation;
Partnerships:
e.g.
Date:
Working
practices;
Funding
implications;
Projects;
Audiences:
e.g.
Target
audience;
Appeal to
international
audience;
Production
Practices:
e.g.
Secret of
their
success;
Making of
key films;

5. Distribution
Practices:
e.g.
Universal͛s
role;
Marketing
strategies
with
examples;
Exhibition
Practices:
e.g.
Who
showing
films;
where?
Internet/
website;
DVD special
features;
Additional
info:

6. Facts about
the
company:
E.g.
Owners/
directors;
Established;
Reputation;
Partnerships:
e.g.
Working
practices;
Funding
implications;
Projects;
Audiences:
e.g.
Target
audience;
Appeal to
international
audience;
Production
Practices:
e.g.
Secret of
their
success;
Making of
key films;

7. Distribution
Practices:
e.g.
Marketing
strategies
with
examples;
Exhibition
Practices:
e.g.
Who
showing
films;
where?
Internet/
website;
DVD special
Additional
info:

8. Facts:
Partnerships:
Audiences:
Production
Practices:

9. Distribution
Practices:
Exhibition
Practices:

10. My Case Studies Portfolio
Film Importance as case study example:
(plus date, director
company)

14. j