This document discusses several major film studios and their suitability for producing and distributing a horror film trailer. It analyzes Lionsgate, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, and Paramount Pictures. It determines that Warner Bros and Paramount have the most experience and success with horror films. Warner Bros has produced popular horror films like Friday the 13th. Paramount has created horror franchises like Ghost and Paranormal Activity, which could provide relevant experience for a paranormal-themed trailer.

1. FilF
Film Institutions

2. Lions Gate Entertainment
Lionsgate is a Canadian- American entertainment company founded in 1997. From
November 2013, it is the most commercially successful mini major film and television
distribution company in North America and the 7th most profitable movie studio. Their
name refers to the Vancouver landmark, the Lions Gate Bridge. Its first major box office
success was American Psycho in 2000, which began a trend of producing and
distributing films too controversial for the major American studios.
Other notable films include Saw, Fahrenheit 9/11, Affliction which had been the highest
grossing films until the release of the Hunger games in 2012. The Hunger games grossed
$68.3 million when it premiered at the US box office.
On May 3rd 2012, Lionsgate films pacted with CodeBlack enterprises which created
CodeBlack films, which will be based at lionsgate headquarters.
Lionsgate deals with many sectors of the media industry, as they possess its own record
label and music publishing company, Lionsgate music and publishing. Lionsgate also
established a joint venture with music publishing company Sony music Australia.
Other platforms include television where they produce series such as Nashville, House of
Payne, The dead zone and the Emmy-award winning Mad Men as they also co-own Pop
with CBS Corporation.
Lionsgate has only had successful horror films in the last 5 years, in which they have not
produced many. After researching horror films from Lionsgate, I discovered that horror
was not one of their strongest points when making or distrubting. The reason for this is the
information needed and decididing whether theyare situtable for my horror trailer.

3. Universal Studios Inc.
Universal studios inc. is also known as universal pictures, is an American film studio,
owned by Comcast through its owned subsidiary NBCUniversal. It is one of Hollywood’s
‘Big Six’ film studios. It was founded in 1912 by the German Carl Larmmle making it the
world’s third oldest major film studio. Three of universal Studio’s films, Jaws, E.T and
Jurassic Park achieved box office records and each became the highest grossing film
ever at the time of initial release.
In 1928, Laemmle, made his son, Carl Jr head of universal pictures as a 21st birthday
present, in which he persuaded his father to bring universal up to date. He bought and
built theatres and made several foray into high-quality production.
Laemmle Jr also created a niche for the studio, beginning a series of horror films which
extended into the 1940s, making universal Horror. Among them Frankenstein was
produced (1931), Dracula (1931), The mummy (1932) and the invisible man (1933).
Universal also has a music company, called Universal Music Group (UMG Recordings)
and is the largest music corporation in the world. An American-based but French owned
multinational music corporation, currently operates as a subsidiary of Paris-based media
conglomerate Vivendi. UMG also owned Universal music publishing group which is the
second largest music publishing company in the world.
Artists that are managed by UMG include, Elton John, Kayne West, Taylor swift and Lady
Gaga.
As you can see from my research on horror films that Universal Pictures created, the result
is not as promising as the Lionsgate and other institutions that will follow. For example the
amount of films theyhave created and also the experience theyhad on the horror films,
is not as big compared to other institutions.

4. Walt Disney Pictures
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney is an American diversified
multinational mass media corporation headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in
California.
It is the world’s second largest broadcasting and Cable Company in terms of revenue.
Disney was founded on October 16th 1923 establishing itself as a leader in the animation
industrybefore diversifying into lice action film, production and television.
Their highest grossing films include: Toy Story, Frozen, Iron Man, The Avengers and Lion
King. Walt Disney Pictures offer different types of films that would appeal to a varietyof
people. However, it is mainly targeted towards those who have a family and children.
Walt Disney has not produced a horror film specifically due to their target audience and
how they would appeal these types to films to them. However, the films that theyhave
produced do include horror and violent elements. This shows that theydo have some
experience in producing and creating horror moments, but not enough that would focus
on the genre itself.
With this in mind, I think that Disney is a major film institution that would do well in the
advertising and promotion of my horror trailer. With the use of graphic content in them I
could create a scary trailer aimed at children. Yet, my target audience is those 15 and
above who would not find these elements scary enough. Other film institutions would be
able to create this better, and they have the relevant experience from their own horror
movies theyhave produced.

5. Warner Bros is another one of the main film studios based in California and New York.
Warner Bros is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution and marketing of
all forms of the creative content across the current and emerging media platforms.
Most of the most popular films created by Warner Bros Fox are harry potter, Valentine’s
Day, Sex and the city, The Hangover, The Dark Knight and Slumdog Millionaire. All of
these films show a varietyin terms of their genres, in which Warner Bros like to produce
and distribute so that theycan reach a wider audience. For example, Comedy,
Romance, Fantasy, Adventure, Action and Horror. In this case, one of my favourite films
has been created by Warner Bros.
After researching on the horror movies that warner bros have been involved in producing
and distributing. I noticed that Warner brothers have produced more well-known and
successful horror films over the years. Some of these best horror films that theyhave
created are as follows: Friday the 13th, Orphan, Sweeney Todd, House of wax and One
missed call.
I think that warner bros have produced and distributed many popular horror films. This
means theywould be best suited for my horror trailer as they have experience within the
genre and how to make a good success of it. This then can increase its popularity for my
target audience.
Warner Bro’s

6. 20th
Century Fox
20th centuryfox is a film corporation which is one of the six major American film Studios.
The organisation was founded in 1935 and has become one of the most recognised film
institution in the world. The studio is a subsidiary of News Corporation, The media
conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch.
Some of the most successful films created by 20th centuryare: Avatar, Star Wars and The
chronicles of Narnia. These popular films that theyhave created are mainly comedy and
family orientated such as Alvin and the Chipmunks, Night at the museum and Diary of a
Wimpy Kid.
I am producing a horror trailer, and therefore based on this research that theywould not
be a suitable institution to produce my trailer with as they do not produce films of the
horror genre.
Although 20th centuryfox prefer to make comedy/fantasy films they are seen to be the
most profitable. Therefore, I would prefer them to distribute my horror trailer rather than
produce it.
20th century fox do however create horror film but those on a smaller scale. For example,
Alien, The Omen, Jennifers Body, Shutter and the haunting of Molly Hartley. These films
are not as popular and do not include a major scary element which will be included in
the production of my trailer.

7. Paramount
Paramount pictures is an American film and television production company, in which
has been rankled the fourth oldest in existence. It was originally founded in 1916 by
Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky. Both of these men were fellow film enthusiasts and
amateur film producers. After the founding of Paramount pictures the company quickly
established itself as a key player in a progressing market.
Since its formation Paramount Pictures has become one of the biggest film production
companies in the world. It has manufactured a global conglomerate which includes its
own animation company; Dreamworks.
It is a subsidiary company of US media conglomerate Viacom. And is a member of the
motion picture association of America. It has distributed manysuccessful film series such
as; Transformers, Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones, The Godfather, Star Trek, Jackass.
Alike Warner Bros, Paramount offer a varietyof different film genres. And although this
enables them to appeal to a wider market, I think that this would not benefit the
production and distribution of my horror trailer.
However, Paramount have created many popular horror films themselves. For example,
Ghost and The paranormal activityseries. This could be relevant to my own production
as I want to create a trailer in the sub-genre of Paranormal disturbances. Therefore, they
would have the experience in creating this type of film and appeal to a worldwide
audience.