1) The document provides an overview of key film industry terminology and concepts, including definitions and examples of terms like high concept films, blockbusters, specialist cinemas, and film genres. 2) It discusses topics related to the business of film like government support of the industry, film distribution, and the impact of digital technology on distribution and exhibition. 3) The prompt sheet covers analytical approaches like Todorov's narrative theory and iconography, as well as current issues such as combating piracy and the effects of market domination by a few large companies.

1. Section A of Film Studies examination
Prompt sheet
High Concept Film High concept is a term used to refer to an artistic work that can be
easily described by a succinctly stated premise. E.g Jaws – Shark
attacks village
Types of films shown in multiplexes Blockbusters
Blockbuster A very popular or successful film. Shown in a multiplex cinema
Specialist Cinemas Shows foreign films, smaller budget films, less well known films.
Most films that the mainstream cinemas miss out on.
Adjustment of Gross profit for inflation Inflation has increased over the years and therefore the money
made by old films such as ‘Wizard of Oz’ should be increased to
the appropriate level of inflation to be compared to a current film
such as ‘Avatar’
Block booking system.
Why Banned?
Prestige film + example
Vertical Integration When a company owns the means of production, distribution and
exhibition. FOR EXAMPLE
Film Pitch A pitch is a concise verbal presentation of an idea for a film or TV
series generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer
or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance
UK Film Council UK Film Council ‘develops and promotes the film industry in the
UK’ Disbanded on 31st March 2011 due to the view that it was a
quango. Private companies will now choose which projects are
worth taking on.
How has/does the government support Government supports film industry through funding various
the film industry? institutions such as UK Film Council (UKFC) and The British
Federation of Film Societies. (BFFS) This funding is due to be
withdrawn – public bodies do not make as much money as
private bodies.
Define a British film.
Differences between British and Hollywood Films British Films
Hollywood films • Large Budget • Smaller Budget
• Blockbusters • Accurate to reality
• High Concept • _________
• __________ • _________
• __________
Genres traditionally associated with Crime/ Mystery and Comedy.
British film
Demographic Categories • Age
• Gender
• Class

2. • Religion
• Ethnicity
• Profession
• __________
• __________
Agencies that gather information/ data
about audiences
Most prolific cinema consumer. (age Teenagers
group)
Ways in which the film industry attempts • Targets illegal downloaders with legal ramifications
to combat piracy • Competing by releasing films online. New market space
created by piracy.
Define Genre + examples
Iconography Meaning that can be drawn from micro elements to help identify
things like setting and genre such as books, magnifying glass and
a pipe. This may signify crime/ mystery and the props signify
Britain.
Expectation, repetition and difference. To
explain genre
Todorov’s narrative theory Todorov suggested that stories begin with an equilibrium or status
quo where any potentially opposing forces are in balance. This is
disrupted by some event, setting in chain a series of events.
Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of
the fiction.
Role of film distributor. Name Two. A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for
releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home
viewing.
E.g. 20th Century Fox + Lions Gate
‘Lion’s share’ relate to film industry
Effects on the distribution and exhibition
of films as a result of digital technology.
Viral Marketing + example Refers to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social
networks (e.g Facebook/YouTube) to produce increases
in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives.
e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1ydWlckzMpM&feature=related
Cottage industry
Synergy + 2 examples Two or more companies functioning together to produce a result
not independently obtainable.
e.g. Disney and McDonalds coming together to make toys in
Happy Meals. Promotes the film and increases food sales.
OR Disney and Sega coming together to produce a game for the
Playstation 2. Similar outcome.
When a few large companies dominate a
market…

3. Release patterns for film exhibition. 2
different.
3 examples of merchandise tie-ins. What
types of film are they associated with?
Cinemas make profit… how
3 different release windows