This document provides instructions for a research task on major film studios and independent film production companies. Students are asked to choose one major studio to research, illustrate its organizational structure and subsidiaries, and define how it integrates horizontally and vertically. They then analyze similarities and differences between films produced by the major studio and its subsidiaries, and discuss advantages and disadvantages for the major studio, audiences, and independent producers.

1. AS Film Studies: FM2 Producers and Audiences
Researching a Major Studio
This is the final research task for the FM2 Producers and Audiences unit! This task asks
you to research a Major Film Production Company and an Independent Film Production
Company.
Task:
Wikipedia 'Major Film Studio'
What six Film Production and Distribution make-up the 'Majors'?
Choose one Major to focus your research on.
Draw a chart that illustrates the structure of the business. Place the Conglomerate at the
top, followed by the Parent Division, Major Studio Subsidiary, Art House Subsidiary (if they
have one), Genre or B-movie Subsidiary (if they have one) as well as the companies other
divisions and brands. All information can be found on the Major Film Studio Wikipedia
page.
All of the film production companies that your Major owns are examples of Horizontal
Integration. Wikipedia Horizontal Integration – define what the term means and give
examples that illustrate the ways in which you Major is horizontally integrated.
Your Major company is also an example of Vertical Integration. Wikipedia Vertical
Integration – define what the term means and give examples that illustrate the ways in
which you Major is vertically integrated.
Draw a list of some the films that your Major Studio Subsidiary company produces and
distributes. Are there any similarities between the films (budget, use of stars, genre, style,
production values etc.)
Draw a list of some of the films that your companies Art House Subsidiary (if they have
one), Genre or B-movie Subsidiary (if they have one) as well as the companies other
divisions and brands. Are these films different in any way to the ones produced and
distributed by the Major Studio Subsidiary company? Give reasons for your answer.
Having done your research on the Majors – what is the advantage of being a Major film
production and distribution company? Are there any disadvantages for the audience? Are
there any disadvantages for Independent film production companies?