The document discusses the importance of film audiences and fans to the film industry. It argues that audiences and fans are the most important aspect of the film industry because without them, filmmakers would have no motivation to make movies as there would be no profits. It notes that while audiences simply watch films, fans support films through additional purchases of merchandise and by attending fan events, thereby further contributing to studio profits. As an example, it outlines how the Harry Potter franchise benefited from a huge preexisting fan base that ensured the financial success of each new film with lower marketing costs.

1. The importance of film fans and audiences
I think that fans and audiences are the most important aspect of anything in the
media industry, let alone the film industry. If there were no audience then film makers
would have no motivation to make movies because there wouldn’t be any profits.
People may love working in the film industry and doing what they do, whether it be
directing, acting, etc; but they would not enjoy it half as much if they weren’t being
paid for it.
There is a sizeable difference between film audiences and film fans. An audience will
only go to watch a film and is likely to take no further action, however a dedicated fan
will go out and buy merchandise that the company has made to support the film.
Merchandise can be a big deal for a fan, for example a ‘Potterhead’ (Harry Potter
fan) will see all the magical devices that are used in the films and will want
something for themselves. There is plenty for the average ‘Potterhead’ to choose
from for example magic wands, broomsticks, every flavour beans, etc. Film fans will
buy lots of merchandise that adds to the company’s profits.
In my opinion, the biggest difference between audiences and fans is that an
audience will only watch a film. They will go to the cinema or buy the DVD but will
not do anymore for the film; and a film fan will go the extra mile. They will buy
merchandising and go to conventions and fan meet ups. Films fans will help
companies to make that extra profit.
I believe that fans and audiences is the most important thing purely because of the
money. Film marketing and everybody who works in the industry is obviously very
important; but I still think that it is all less important that the only thing that will bring
in the money for the company.
I think that the Harry Potter series is a good example of a franchise that has a huge
audience. Having a massive audience is extremely handy for film makers because
they know that the next film they make will be a success. Harry Potter had already
built up a fan base before the first film even came out because of the books that J K
Rowling wrote. So even before the film makers started, they knew they would be
successful. They made 8 films and every single one of them easily made 3 times the
budget. The fact they had a huge audience right from the beginning meant that they
didn’t have to spend a lot of money on advertising (above the line) and focus more
on publicity and promotion (below the line). They obviously still would have done
advertising, especially for the Philosopher'sStone, but not as much as they would

2. have needed to if they did not already have the audience that they did. Publicity and
promotion cost production companies less to do, it is the advertising that is
expensive. On top of this, publicity and promotion often comes naturally, for
example, through word of mouth. This is why I think that having a big audience is
important for a film company.
I will now talk about being a film fan. I personally am a Clint Eastwood fan and am
into the old Westerns that he stars in. My favourite Western is called For a Few
Dollars More (1965). I must have watched it at least 8 or 9 times and have a little bit
of merchandise in my bedroom. I would not say I am a crazy fan of him, but a fan
none the less. I have watched lots of Clint Eastwood films and he has a lot to offer. I
have seen other films like The Good The Bad And The Ugly (1966), the 4 Dirty Harry
films and Escape from Alcatraz (1979). It is people like me, people who watch films
more than once and show continued support afterwards are the people who keep
film makers motivated to direct and produce films for the world to see. This is why I
think that fans are important in the film industry.