This document provides information and guidance for answering a media studies exam question on the film industry. It discusses the key aspects of film production, distribution, and exhibition. For production, it notes that investors are needed to fund films and will try to minimize risk by influencing decisions. It suggests that case studies on the American and British film industries could be used to discuss the implications of ownership. The document provides sample questions investors may ask about a film's commercial potential and popularity. It also lists some potential risks in film production like an unpopular director or genre.

1. AS Media Studies
Section B: Institutions and Audiences
1 Exam Question – 45 minutes
The Film Industry

2. Essay Structure
Introduction – state your focus, argument, and case studies.
Media Ownership – general overview of key issues relating
to the film industry
American film industry – using any case studies from The
Big 6 to support points you make explain implications of
ownership on institutions and audiences
British film industry – contrast British film industry using
examples
Conclusion – sum up your argument & can relate to your
own personal experience as a consumer

3. Production:
Distribution:
Exhibition:
The basics…

4. Production: (Making Film) writing the script; pitching
to a studio; setting a budget; crewing up; casting;
filming; editing.
Distribution: (The Middle Man) the studio buys the
rights; the studio makes a licensing agreement with a
distribution company; they decide how many copies
of the film are made; they negotiate deals to sell the
lease to buyers.
Exhibition: (The Screen) how the film reaches the
public; cinemas; DVDs; online; TV.
The basics…

5.  For a film to go into production it needs
investors to provide the necessary funding.
 However, Box office success is never certain
and so investors try to reduce the risk of
losing their money by becoming involved in
important decisions.
Production - Investors

6.  Key questions that investors will ask are:
 Is the film’s storyline similar to other films that
have made money recently?
 Does it offer easy selling points?
 Are there obvious marketing spin offs to give
added publicity?
 Is the star popular?
 Has the director had previous successes?
Production - Investors

7.  Key questions that they will ask are:
 Is the film’s storyline similar to other films
that have made money recently
If the answer to any of theses questions is no then
changes will be made to the “package” (the details of
the film) to make sure all the answers are yes!
Otherwise, the investors will take their money else
where.
Production - Risks

8.  Shifty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT75k8sUXaQ
 The Dark Knight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ5U8suTUw0
Investigate the level of risk for:

9.  Director
 Writer
 Producer
 Cast
 Genre
 Sequel potential
 Location
 SFX
 Rating
 USP
Take into consideration…

10. Create a survey, identify basic info: age; gender,
ethnicity, professionals, students retired etc.
What was the last film they watched, & where &
with who.
Why did they watch that film?
Why did they choose tat format?
Have they bought any film merchandise before?
Why and what film.
Cinema – last visit, experience, cost, how often
they visit and why.
Survey

11. Investigate current cinema listings for Saturday
22nd March at the following:
Tyneside Cinema – Newcastle
Empire Cinema – Sunderland
Cineworld Cinemas- Boldon
Odeon Cinema – Silverlink
The Star and Shadow Cinema – Newcastle
Side Cinema - Newcastle
Group Task

12. Consider the following:
 How many films are being exhibited?
 How many separate screenings are there?
 What is the most popular film?
 Timings of screenings – why, who is the audience?
 Location – how popular is the cinema and why?
 Is the cinema part of a chain?
 What else does the cinema complex offer, e.g restaurant, bar
etc.?
 How much are the tickets?
 How user friendly is their website?
 Does the website advertise? If so, what and how?
 Look at the ‘Coming Soon’ section – are these new releases?
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