Sunday, 19 February 2017

Film Industry Task 9

Terminology:

Mainstream film/Mainstream Cinema - A film (or cinema that exhibits them) that is followed by the majority and is most popular.

Independent film/Independent Cinema
- A film (or cinema that exhibits them) that isn't followed by the majority and is usually lesser known, with higher expectations on quality, writing and storytelling.

Production
- The stages that take place to create the film, filming, marketing, distribution exchange etc.

Distribution - The way a film is delivered to the audience.

Marketing - Selling the film (posters, websites, merchandise)

Exchange - How the film is viewed, iPads, Laptops, Cinemas.

Multinational Conglomerate - A large scale business that dominates a lot of platforms and different industries. Two or more corporations working together to complete a task.

Monopoly - The possession or control of a supply or certain trade in a service.

Oligopoly - Limited competition, a market shared by a small number of producers or sellers.

The Big Six - Sony, Paramount, Disney, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Universal.

Horizontal Integration - The increase in production of goods or services, Heinz and Kraft Foods merged companies successfully and benefited as a result.

Vertical Integration - Separate stages of production (usually by two different companies) combine to create a final product.

Synergy - The interaction or co-operation of two or more organisations to create a larger impact than if they were to work separately.

Merchandising - The production and selling of merchandise, usually specific to a brand/franchise. Often consisting of accessories, clothing and posters.

Ultra Violet - A cloud-based service that allows consumers to view and download a digital copy of a film.

Above the Line - Where mass-media is used to promote brands/products to the target consumers

Below the Line - A more one-to-one technique of advertisement, handing out pamphlets, stickers, posters etc.

Technological Convergence/Cross Media Convergence
- Where different media skills/tech systems work towards performing a similar task/achieving a goal.

Consumption - This is the amount of info or entertainment that is consumed by an individual or group.

Exhibition - An organised presentation or display of an item or selected of items/product.

Piracy - The unauthorised use or reproduction of another's work.

Hollywood Franchise 4S Model - Synergy, Spectacle, Sequelisation, Story

Friday, 17 February 2017

Film Industry Task 8

Technology used in the various stages of film production.

Production:
3D Printing is a relatively new piece of technology that allows film-makers and prop departments to create the set practically and really immerse the actors in the world they are living in. 3D Printing allows prop departments to make large and small scale props for a low price whilst being of high quality. It also doesn't require hours of manpower (i.e. building models again and again) as the prop is created on the computer in 3D CAD software in small parts, it is then printed (which takes a long time) and then painted and assembled.

Better Cameras bless the filming world nowadays, capable of capturing the natural world with all it's beauty. New cameras allow us to film in a higher fps (frames per second). The industry standard for films used to be 24fps, but now, that standard has been dropped with 'The Hobbit' being filmed in 48fps. Although the higher frames per second idea is yet to be adopted by everyone social media platforms like YouTube allow 60fps videos too. The higher frame rate offers us a more visually stunning and crisp viewing experience, some argue that it is not noticeable, but it really is.


As well as better cameras, we also have drones. Drones allow film-makers to capture stunning shots from the sky without the need of a crane or a helicopter packed with a film crew. The drone revolutionises film making, allowing for high speed shots which are beautiful smooth and in outstanding quality (4k 60fps) all for an incredibly cheap price (in terms of a film makers budget).


The Cloud is a term familiar by many. It is the place where millions of people store photos, videos and files. The cloud, along with other online, collaborative workspaces allows film crews, production teams, writers etc. to communicate with each other as well as transfer files to one another (Although transferring files in a physical copy via flights/travel is still popular and safer than transferring online). However, online workspaces does allow the crew to communicate with ease, meaning different teams can work on different things across the world and still keep in contact with their colleagues.


Distribution:
Distributing the film is now even easier with content being readily available everywhere. Digital Movie Software like Ultraviolet and Disney Digital Copy allow consumers to purchase the film in a digital form, as opposed to a physical DVD copy. This means people can purchase the film online, often a digital version of the film is also available in the box of the physical copy/DVD. Sites like Netflix and Amazon Video also allow people to stream movies and TV shows online for a monthly subscription. However, sites like Netflix don't often get to distribute the film until quite a while after it's initial release.



Exhibition:
Exhibition is the stage in which the film is sold to companies such as Netflix or Amazon Video.



Exchange:
Exchange of film is now more beautiful than ever. Cinemas are readily available across the majority of countries with new capabilities. 3D viewing has been around for a while, but new technology known as 'lenticular lens' tech may allow us to view 3D movies without the need of wearing the unattractive and annoying glasses. As well as this, the use of Ultraviolet and other Digital Media allows us to watch films on our iPods, iPads, iPhones, our TV's as well as our Laptops/PCs. We can also view the film at a Cinema in its regular format or in IMAX or 3D.

Thursday, 16 February 2017

Film Industry Task 7

What days do audiences go to the cinema?
Audiences tend to go to the cinema during December. Although it differs between countries and regions of the world.


What are the most popular genres?
The most popular genres are Adventure, Comedy and then Action. Since 1995 Adventure Movies have been the most popular movies, dominating the Market with a share of 22.65%. Comedy films own 21.12% and Action films own 18.26%.


What was the top film in each of the genres?
The top three films for 'Adventure' was Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens, Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace and Shrek 2. For 'Comedy' it was How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Despicable Me 2 and Meet the Fockers. For 'Action' it was Avatar, The Avengers and then Jurassic World.


How do audiences hear about films?
Usually through TV advertisements, as well as internet adverts (YouTube) and generally marketing posters that will placed at bus stops, on the side of buildings and in stores.


Do audiences prefer US, UK or other nationality films?
Audiences tend to prefer US films as the US is home to the biggest movie studios and companies in the world. Hollywood is the center for big budget films, America is also where the majority of A-List Actors live and work. However, UK writing and other


Do audiences like 3D films?
Audiences do enjoy 3D films, however most people say that 3D isn't worth the extra money, and only is worth the extra money on certain films (i.e. Action/Adventure/Visually Stunning Films). Despite this, 3D movies experienced a boost in popularity in 2009 in the US, making up 10% of tickets sold as opposed to the previous 2% of tickets sold in 2008. Since then, 3D tickets made up and peaked at 21% in 2010, the most recent statistics show that 15% of tickets sold were 3D in 2015.

So overall, 3D films can be exciting for specific films, where there may be a lot of action/explosions or where there may be visually exciting scenes where the mind can be tricked, it can also engage the audience more. Although paying extra to wear (arguably) irritating glasses and watch a film that you may regret paying extra to see is a risk most people would not want to take. Maybe on the second/third viewing of the movie it might be good.


What other ways do audiences watch film aside from the cinema?
Audiences can watch films from home when the DVD becomes available a few months after the film has been out in cinema or straight away if the film has been released straight to DVD/Blu-Ray.
Audiences may also watch the film illegally via Movie-Streaming sites or through other sources.


Who do audiences go to the cinema with?
Audiences tend to go to the cinema with friends and family. The genre of film usually alters who people choose to go with. i.e. Shrek is a family film, so families would tend to go together to see this film, as opposed to Star Wars or King Kong where friends are most likely to go together.


When and where are most audiences likely go to the cinema?
Audiences are most likely to go to the cinema during winter where people want to be inside in the warm, this is also when most good films are released (as they know people will see them). Most audiences will go to local cinemas unless they are going to a special screening or to see a specific film (independent films). They will also go on the weekends as this is when they have time to organise with friends/family.

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Film Industry Task 1

Top 5 films of 2016:

1) Finding Dory
2) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
3) Captain America: Civil War
4) The Secret Life of Pets
5) The Jungle Book


1) Finding Dory:

Release Date: 17/6/2016
Distributor: Walt Disney
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG


2) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Release Date: 16/12/2016
Distributor: Walt Disney
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG-13


3) Captain America: Civil War

Release Date: 6/5/2016
Distributor: Walt Disney
Genre: Action
Rating: PG-13


4) The Secret Life of Pets

Release Date: 8/7/2016
Distributor: Universal
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG


5) The Jungle Book

Release Date: 15/4/2016
Distributor: Walt Disney
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG


All of these films were distributed by companies of the big six, 4 of 5 were distributed by Walt Disney, the other by Universal Studios. 3 of 5 are sequels/prequels and one of them is a remake of a popular film/book. The majority are action/adventure films and are either rated PG or PG-13.