This document discusses several key aspects of the film production and distribution process as they relate to contemporary media institutions and audiences. It addresses issues around media ownership and the problems faced by film companies. It explores how companies work together across different parts of the business to market and promote films and get them to audiences. New technologies that have impacted production, distribution, marketing and viewing are also covered. The importance of proliferation in content delivery methods for both institutions and audiences is discussed. Finally, it looks at challenges in targeting national and local audiences from international companies and how individual media consumption habits illustrate wider audience trends.

1. Understand & write about the process of film production, distribution,
marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions
• the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;
• What types of problems or matters do FILM COMPANIES have to deal with nowadays?
• the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing
• How do companies work together, and use different parts of the company, in marketing and promoting
films as well as getting them to the audience?
• the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
• How do new companies work together, and use different parts of the company, in making and
promoting films as well as getting them to the audience?
• the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
• How important is it that there are loads of ways to see films for both media companies and those who
watch films?
• the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
• How important is it that things like phones, computers, MP3/4 players, iPads etc can be used for lots of
different things, especially for watching films on?
• the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
• What types of problems do massive film companies have in getting British , or people from other
countries, to watch their films?
• the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.
• What is it like for you when you go to the cinema, watch DVD’s, download films or watch films in
another way?

2. Institutions & Audiences (Film)
Paragraph 1
 Be clear about what media industry you have studied and what case studies you
will discuss in relation to the question.
Paragraph 2
 Link your response to the question:
‘It is true, to some extent, that media production is dominated by global
institutions, such as Time Warner; who sell and distribute their services to
national audiences through cross media convergence, both through horizontal and
vertical integration. However it is imperative that a media audience is aware of
more localised institutions such as Warp; often their products can resonate more
effectively as contemporary cultural issues can be better explored by
institutions that originate from the same culture that they are presenting to , as
specific audience. In addition to this, it is often beneficial for a global audience
to experience their true culture, in an 'honest' and informed light. You could
argue that this can only be achieved through less reliance of global institutions.’
Paragraph 2 and 3
 Debate & weigh up both sides of the argument:
e.g. ‘However’, ‘having said this’, ‘an exception to this is the film……..released
in……..’
Paragraph 4 or 5
 Conclusion and your own personal view as an audience member (in relation to the
question)

3. Key words for Film
• Production
• Distribution
• Marketing
• Exhibition
• Exchange
• Audience
• Consumption
• Institutions
• Media Ownership
• Conglomerate
• Cross media convergence
• Technological convergence
• Synergy
• New technologies
• Hardware
• Content
• Digital
• Media Platforms
• Proliferation
• Box Office sale – opening
weekend

4. Case study: Case Study:
Case Study: Case Study:

5. TV Drama Structure
Question – circle key words
Notes – spilt into 4 sections C E M S
No Introduction
Paragraph 1
• Start to answer the question through C E M S
• ‘From the low angle shot of the male character at the start of the
extract, it is clear that the connotations of male representation is…’
• 4 sections 4 paragraphs – Refer back to the
question, how are representations constructed –
give examples!
• Don’t describe what’s happening
• EAA 20, EG 20, T 10

6. Editing Sound
Mise-en-scene
Camera shot, angle, composition, focus,
movement