There are three main stages of the film industry: production, distribution, and exhibition. Within these stages, companies may integrate horizontally by owning multiple companies within the same stage, or vertically by owning companies across different stages. For example, Walt Disney owns production studios like Miramax and distribution companies. Warner Bros. owns production, distribution, and used to own exhibition theaters. A film goes through production, where it is financed and made, distribution to theaters and home markets, and exhibition where audiences view it.

1. THE FILM PROCESS PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION EXHIBITION There are three distinct areas of the film industry. Each one of these could be viewed as a type of media institution. What would you expect to happen at each stage?

3. RESEARCH TASK - THE LIFE OF A FILM -SUBMIT AS A POST ON YOUR BLOG (MAKE AS VISUAL AND INTERACTIVE AS POSSIBLE) -DUE FRIDAY 8PM -STARTING POINT FOR RESEARCH SHOULD BE IMDB.COM – USE COMPANY CREDITS SECTION 1. YOUR FILM Provide a brief synopsis of your film’s story Include some of your film’s marketing materials (trailers, posters, cast interviews etc.) 2. PRODUCTION What was your film’s production budget? Which Production Company (s) provided the finance? What other films have the company (s) produced? 3. DISTRIBUTION Who are your films theatrical distributors? How many countries has it been distributed in and what are they? Who are your films home distributors? How many countries has it been distributed in and what are they 4. EXHIBITION What was your film’s box office takings? Would you expect it to be shown in O2 VUE? Why? What formats is your film available on for home exhibition? 5. HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL INTEGRATION Is your film’s production company a subsidiary of a larger company (Horizontally Integrated)? Are there any signs of horizontal integration between your film’s production company (s) and distributor(s)?