Studio system US

1. The studio system in the
USA
The genius of the system

2. How did the system come
about?
A number of factors made Hollywood the centre of film
production:
Thomas Edison and Motion Picture Patents Company (Edison
Trust).
War in Europe
Development of the technology especially sound
The ethos of the American Dream
Henry Ford’s model of production
Climate
Sunlight
Proximity to Mexico and cheap labour

3. The genius
Was founded on the principles of vertical integration -
controlling the supply chain – produced films, distributed
these to their own cinema chains.
1930 - 1948 is generally regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of
the Hollywood Studio system.

4. • After the emergence sound, two groups of
companies emerged to dominate the
production of movies in America.
• These were known as the Big Five and the
Little Three
• They had the best production facilities and
the most sought after performers
• They also became associated with different
genres

5. The Big Five

6. The Little Three
Universal
Columbia
United Artists

7. Advantages of the system
streamlined production
specialisation of job roles
secure employment
economic efficiency
on going production line
stars careers were managed
exhibition guaranteed
weaker product could be carried

8. Disadvantages
lack of creative autonomy
lack of freedom for stars
division of labour
de-skilling
wages kept artificially low
block and blind booking practices unfair
paternalistic system
monopoly/oligopoly

9. Stars
Studios often hired new actors on contract (usually seven
years) as bit-part players and then remodelled them (often
physically) into glamorous movie stars.
Everything managed by studio.
Punished by studio for not towing the line.
Some stars sued through the courts and this forced
studios to change contracts.

10. The demise of the system
Pressure was brought to bear on the system through
a number of cases including stars trying to break their
contracts.
1948 saw the introduction the anti trust laws
This was the equivalent of a monopolies
commission
Broke the vertical integration chain

11. • Made it illegal for studios to exhibit films in
cinemas owned by them
• Sometimes called ‘divorcement’
• System went into a period of flux in 50’s
• Sold off assets – especially cinema chains
• Critical time for Hollywood. Would it
survive?