Paramount Pictures is the 5th largest film studio globally and has distributed highly successful and influential films. Though typically focused on large mainstream releases, Paramount has also backed less conventional films and would be a suitable partner. Newmarket Films has successfully produced and distributed smaller experimental psychological thrillers like Donnie Darko and Memento. Despite a small catalogue, it has experience with the genre and independent films. Focus Features, owned by NBCUniversal, produces a wide range of films as an independent label. Though not focused on any genre, its support from a major company and hits like Brokeback Mountain demonstrate its suitability. Regency Enterprises produces both highly successful critical films and less successful films across genres

1. Institutional Context

2. Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures is the 5th biggest film studio in the world, derivative of the Viacom umbrella company that
extends the studio’s influence even further. It has reached global recognition and has some of the highest
grossing films of all time under its back catalogue. As both a production and distribution company, the
Paramount name has been strongly associated with titles that I have covered in my other areas of research
such as ‘Shutter Island‘, ‘Vertigo’, and. ‘Psycho’. This gives the conglomerate a relevance to my own trailer and
in theory if it was a high profile release, the involvement of Paramount in the accommodation of both
production and ultimately global distribution, would be suitable.
Usually, I would have to say that most larger companies like this one would possibly not suit the more
experimental film style that I aim to go for in my trailer and narrative, with huge names staying within industry
comfort zones and conventions, however, Paramount is not known for a specific style or ‘box’ regarding their
films. Notable, less conventional releases like ‘Watchmen’ or ‘Ghost’ convince me of this and the potential
suitability of Paramount Pictures for my own trailers associations.

3. Newmarket
Films
Set up in 1994 and appropriately named NewMarket Films, this production and distribution company has co-
produced and co-distributed the two experimental psychological thriller titles of ‘Donnie Darko’ and
‘Memento’. The first of these films, created for a more niche audience and then distributed to a wider one
from demand, enlisted 20th Century Fox’s larger influence when releasing the film on DVD. Despite having a
small catalogue of titles, it has had involvement in successful films such as Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Prestige’,
showing that the company does have some alignment wit the psychological thriller genre and has developed a
strength in their production, distribution or both.
The nature and genre of the films produced or distributed by this company therefore make it a theoretically
suitable option for the process of my own film and narrative.

4. Focus Features
Focus features, owned by ‘NBCUniversal’ is another smaller and independent film production and distribution
company, helped and funded by a much larger conglomerate. With huge box office hits like ‘Brokeback
Mountain’ making $83 million in 2005, this partnership is evidently a part of the impressive success of the
company, and it’s extended catalogue of titles. Amongst these names are indie animated films like ‘9’ and
narratively distinguished films like ‘Dallas Buyers Club’, displaying another distribution and production company
that keeps a wide range of genres and styles of cinema.
The independent label of Focus Features helps with its suitability towards my own trailer, with a wider range of
films and types of storyline being open to their catalogue, despite a lack of focus being on the particular genre
I’m choosing. Therefore, this company would seem openly suited to the production and distribution of my
project.

5. Regency Enterprises
My last case study, Regency Enterprises, is an independent production company that falls In between the
categories of high status and lower status. This means that the films it has been associated with have either
gained large commercial success due to their quality and reception, or lacked success because of their poorer
quality. Within its successful titles are two, much more experimental psychological thrillers called ‘Fight Club’
and ‘Birdman’. These titles are some of my favourites from the sub-genre and influenced my decision in
choosing it.
From the nature of the company being between high and low status mixed with the overall quality of films
produced for my chosen genre being successful, Regency Enterprises would also be a suitable associate for my
trailer.