This document discusses how films are produced and distributed through case studies of three production companies: Working Title Films, Warp Films, and Twentieth Century Fox. It explains that Working Title Films, as part of a major studio, has financial backing that allows it to greenlight films based on their marketability and profit potential. Independent Warp Films has stricter financial constraints and relies on public funding. While major studios have advantages in equipment and resources, digital technology has helped independent films compete on similar levels through lower production costs.

1. Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to
audiences, within a media area which you have studied
In this essay I will discuss the ways in which films are produced and distributed, I
will refer to specific case studies Working Title Films with the Boat that Rocked,
Warp Films with ‘This is England’ and briefly to Twentieth Century Fox with
Avatar. It’s my hope that by using case study examples such as this I will be able
to draw comparisons between the working practices of major (Working Title Films
as a part of Universal and Twentieth Century Fox) and independent Warp Films)
production companies and how their different working practice effect production,
distribution and exhibition of their films. In addition I will refer to how these films
were received and if any correlation can be drawn from the way they were
produced, distributed and exhibited.
The production stage of a film is split into 3; pre-production, production and post
production. The first stage of pre-production is developing the film, before a film
can be green lighted by a production company there are certain factors that need
to be taken into account; the story; appeal; genre; past experience (of the
director or the director with the production company); budget; castability;
marketability; payability (the capability of the film to gain a profit).
There are many factors that contributed to why Working Title Films green lit the
film The Boat That Rocked. One of these factors is that due to the fact that they
had a distribution deal with Universal, they had the financial backing of a
worldwide distribution company, so budget wasn’t really an issue for them. Every
year Working Title Films releases 4 to 5 films within this remit they’ll include a
mainstream movie, a British movie, an American movie, specialist film and a film
that promotes new talent whether it be a director or an actor. The Boat That
Rocked came under the category of British film due to the subject matter featured
within the film. Working Title Films also have a good working relationship with
Richard Curtis who wrote and directed the Boat That Rocked all films that have
been written and directed by him and produced by Working Title Films have been
a success, therefore it was assumed that the BTR would have marketability and
payability, judging by past successes.
It can be a harder process for independent production companies to green light
films and they have more stringent financial constraints, without the backing of a
major conglomerate they have to think harder before investing in films. Warp
Films get most of their funding from EM Media (who source that from the UK Film
council). EM Media are part UK Screen Agencies who are development agencies
charged with encouraging public access to film culture and building vibrant and
sustainable media sectors across Great Britain. What this means is that a lot of
the time independent films makers are fighting for pots of money and can’t
guarantee that films will be made.

2. The biggest comparison that can be drawn between major production companies
and independent productions companies at the level of production is the use of
equipment. Digital technology is making it easier for independent film makers to
be on a par with those films coming from major studios. Digital technology is
taking away the hegemony from Hollywood. For Warp films digital technology is
highly beneficial for them