Practice Essay

"Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and servies to national audiences."
To what extent do you agree with this statement.
Remember you are focusing on the film industry and should refer to Film 4 and a Hollywood company in your response.

Due: Next Friday

Global Hollywood

Tasks:

Research the following:
1. What movies are on at your local Cineplex this week?
· How many screens are showing Hollywood movies?
· How many screens are showing British movies?
· How many screens are showing foreign language movies?
· Are there any American independent movies?
2. What movies are on at your local independent cinema this week (such as Curzon)
· How many screens are showing Hollywood movies?
· How many screens are showing British movies?
· How many screens are showing foreign language movies?
· Are there any American independent movies?
3. What were the top 10 grossing movies at the box office in 2010 in the UK only?
4. How do Hollywood companies target British audiences?
5. In what ways does Hollywood dominate the movie industry?

Highlights From Today's Lesson

• Film 4 is owned by Channel 4. Film 4 is a production company but it also has a website and digital TV channel

• Film 4's TV channel used to be subscription only costing about £5 a month with no advertising. It is now a freeview channel and so most people in the UK have access to it. The channel sells advertising slots to make monry



• This is a great opportunity for synergy for Film 4 because they have the right to exhibit their film productions on the Film 4 TV channel. Slumdog Millionaire was premiered on Film 4 with audiences of over 1 million. It was then shown on Channel 4 where an 'Indian Summer' festival was built around it to build interest.



• Channel 4 also owns music channels which offers more opportunities for synergy. 'Jai Ho' was key in the marketing of the movie. The music video was on high rotation on 4music as well as Smash Hits, a sister channel.



• Although it promoted the movie heavily through it's soundtrack, Channel 4 does not own a music division. The soundtrack was distributed through Interscope Records which is owned by Universal Music Group: another example of Film4 having to sell the rights of their productions.



• By comparison Hollywood film companies are owned by larger conglomerates that have a wide range of media and non-media interests. Think about the fact that Columbia is owned by Sony who also have a music division as well as electronics. A general example could be the joint promotion of a movie and PlayStation game as well as releasing a soundtrack that is also used in the game! Casino Royale is a film and a PlayStation game.



• Disney benefits from synergy is a major way. Think about how it combines it's theme parks and stores to promote it's movies, or even get ideas for movies! Disney also has it's own digital TV channel just like Channel 4 so they too are able to exhibit their movies. Disney also has it's own music label so it can distribute the soundtrack and reep the rewards! Don't forget that they can also advertise their merchandise on their TV channel as well as strike a deal with McDonald's to promote Happy Meals based around their film.

Key Terminology

Synergy: Co-operative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Cross-media convergence: some form of cross-media cooperation, usually involving broadcast stations, print outlets and Internet sites

Essentially both are the idea that a company with a range of media interests is going to benefit by having them work together. Here is an example:

Film Company Research

1. Draw the structure of a Hollywood film company and Film4. Start from the very top of the company and include all its arms.

2. Referring to a Hollywood and a Film4 production, explain how the company used synergy to distribute and exhibit their product.

Extended Question:
To what extent does Film 4 benefit from synergy compared to Hollywood examples?

Hollywood vs British Film Industry

Here is an overview of our discussions this week...


Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Hollywood vs

View more presentations from MsJMcLeod.

Key Terminology

Production: making films

Distribution: promoting films and getting them into cinemas and out on DVD, as well as spin offs/related media products

Consumption: people paying at the cinema, renting or buying DVDs and downloading and purchasing related products

Section B Intro

We will cover:

•the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;
•the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
•the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
•the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
•the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
•the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
•the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences

Examination Date

Tuesday 17th May
PM
2 Hours