1. The US film industry Lesson 2

2. Key terms Conglomerate- two or more companies joined together. Each company will be an entirely different business but will be joined together often by a parent company. Often the conglomerate is multi industry Subsidiariesare entities that are controlled by another higher entity. So for example a business that is owned by a parent business or conglomerate.

3. Key terms Vertical integration – When a company owns all stages of the film Production Distribution Marketing Exhibition/exchange Globalisation The process whereby the lives of individuals and local communities are affected by worldwide economic forces. It may also be seen as the idea that the world is becoming a single market place dominated by multinational companies AS film studies the essential guide

4. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/giants/

5. Warner brothers studios Warner Brothers Studios Castle Rock EntertainmentNew Line CinemaFine Line Features Part of larger conglomerate AOL time Warner Linked up with time Warner subsidiary HBO to produce Picture house

6. The town Production with legendary pictures. In a 7 year 40 picture contract to co produce and co finance with warner bros Distributed by Warner Bros $37 million budget Marketing? Exhibition?

7. Task Using on conglomerate create a mini case study which shows how they have

8. Production This means all the elements that are involved in producing a film. This means the budget The use of genre New technology

9. Distribution This is how the film is actually ‘got out there’ We will discuss digital distribution compared to print copies at a later date. This involves all the marketing as well

10. Exhibition Where is the film being exhibited? Type of cinema How many cinemas Global release date? Re-released

11. Exchange This is what people do with. Fan based videos Downloading Streaming

12. Case study- Avatar Production Lightstorm entertainment- James Cameron Official budget $237 million Fox didn't want to take the financial risk but when Disney showed interest they decided to change their mind Ingenious media offered to finance over half meaning that Fox has less risk Signed with Fox for 2 sequels Reality camera system which was created by Cameron to film in 3D

13. Distribution 20th century fox $150 million for marketing Music for the film premiered on my space (Owned by News corp which owns Fox) 16 minute exclusive of the film given to the press Largest trailer during the Dallas cowboys game- Shown on Fox Film promoted on Bones (A tv series owned by Fox) Links with coca cola for advertsing

14. Official marketing Internet a key area of marketing

15. Exhibition Released 2D 3D IMAX 3D International release 4,007,750 (USA) (29 August2010) (812 Screens) re-release $77,025,481 (USA) (20 December2009) (3,452 Screens) £8,509,050 (UK) (20 December2009) (503 Screens

16. Exchange This is what people do with it once it is out there. Reviews

17. Fan based videos/youtube exchange

18. Other key points to consider with this For Avatar there was a lack of use of ‘STAR’ James Cameron not a particularly well thought of director in all areas plus hadn’t made a film for a long time Lack of publicity –building a hype-word of mouth

19. Don’t forget in terms of exhbition Illegal downloading The pirate bay Watching at home- the experience! Have we got it compared to what the cinemas now offer

20. The dark knight Production Distribution Budget $185 mil Four major scenes shot with Imax cameras to promote that it was to be screened in IMAX theatres Legendary Pictures In a 7 year 40 picture deal Warner bros

21. Marketing Huge viral campaign called WHY SO SERIOUS Website I believe in Harvey Dent Scavenger hunt at the DC comics festival – across US cities which led onto another website- fans to submit pictures of themselves dressed as the joker Electronic version of the Gotham times which also led to numerous websites

22. Exhibition Warner bros held the premiere in New York (Interesting choice rather than the London premiere) Also the impact of Warner bros to be able to do this Screening in an IMAX theatre with the films composers playing part of the film score live. 4,366 theatres Role of celebrity – Making $2.3 in Australia when opening

23. Teaser campaigns Teaser trailer on the batman begins dvd Shown in IMAX theatre Teaser posters with the why so serious slogan Global marketing

24. Other factors Use of stars to draw in audiences Death of Heath ledger Internet played a huge role in target fans and creating a word of mouth Importance of viral campaigning Huge focus on cutting out piracy with a six month anti piracy strategy Sharing the cost and risk means more money

25. Task Prepare a case study on a US produced film. Show evidence of the role of the conglomerate if applicable Show the importance of vertical integration and companies ability to cross promote across a range of media platforms Consider these key questions as you complete the case study : Compare the different factors that contribute to the box office success and failure of a film. The internet is of equal benefit to producers and audiences Look at the key areas of: Production Distribution Marketing Exhibition Exchange Key websites: Rotten tomatoes Wikipedia IMDB Apps The films official website Youtube Two past exam questions