2. Film stages
Production Marketing Distribution Exchange/
exhibition
(institution to
audience)
-cinema
(mainstream/indie)
-home (dvd/blueray/pay
tv)
-download (itunes)
Exchange/
exhibition
(audience to
audience)
-piracy (download,
streaming)
-pop up cinema
3. Big bad hollywood vs indie
• USA dominates the film industry (Hollywood is the centre)
• 9 of every 10 films is American
• The major studios: Film production is dominated by film companies who are owned by
conglomerates.
• The main 6 are:
– 1 Disney
– 2 sony/columbia
– 3 warner bros
– 4 paramount
– 5 universal (NBCUniversal)
• Some things we expect from Hollywood films are:
– huge budgets – from conglomerates
– Well known actors and directors
– Global (blanket) release
– Global themes appealing to mass audience
– Huge productions and special effects
• Director has less control (does what audience demand is, or what already is established to work)
• Some things we expect from indie films are:
– Small budgets – from multiple investors (not so risky this way)
– Not well known actors or directors (often first timers)
– Limited release (often in 1-3 countries)
– Specific themes (often quirky/controversial etc) which appeal to niche audiences
– Simple and to the point, no special effects as subject matter/content is more important
• Director has more creative control -
4. What about 3D?
• Top 3D films of 2012:
• 1 marvel avengers assembly
• 2 the hobbit: unexpected journey
• 3 prometheus
• 4 amazing spiderman
• 5 life of pi
• ***Notice how many are ‘franchise’ films!?
– Inherited audiences: less risk of losing money! (very expensive to make – high
production costs)
• For every £5 spent on any cinema ticket, 3D accounts for £1 of that £5.
5. Going to the cinema is social!
• Most people go with friends
• It’s a SHARED experience
– (________ audience theory (why people seek the media) –
integration and social interaction!!!)
• Most people to cinema with average of ___ people
• It’s a SHARED experience
– (McQuail audience theory (why people seek the media) –
integration and social interaction!!!)
• Most people to cinema with average of 3 people
7. Films online?
• 60% of 16-30 year olds believe film content should be free when accessing online
– What’s the debates about this?
– Pro: all types of groups would be able to experience film and see a wider range of films
– Cons: industry wont make money – if they don’t – can’t do their jobs because there is no
money! They need to make money to operate (esp the indie industry)
• The 3 most pirated films of 2012 were:
– Project X (8.2 million downloads)
– Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (8.5 million downloads)
• A franchise action film
– The Dark Knight Rises (8.2 million downloads)
• A big superhero film
– *Remember the dark knight invested LOADS in anti-piracy with the goggles in the opening weekend because they
knew people would try to pirate it (if done on opening weekend – sales drop later (because people get it online)
• What type of genre are these films? Who is their target audience and how could this link to piracy?
Action
Male 16-25
Nerdy geeks who are technological saavy!
