1. My Case study Audiences and Institutions

2. Past exam questions Jan ‘09 Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area which you have studied Jun ‘09 How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area which you have studied Jan ‘10 ‘Media production is dominated by global institutions which sell their products and services to national audiences.’ To what extent do you agree with the statement.

3. Key areas that I need to know Production Distribution Marketing Exhibition/exchange Impact of new media technology Convergence The current UK film industry The current USA film industry How each of your chosen studios work How USA dominates the UK Aware of the impact especially on the UK of digital and 3d screens and how they are growing in number Aware of the fact that the UK Film council is going- this is especially relevant if your film was funded by them Awareness that the distribution campaign will suit the target audience How people can actually view film now

4. The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in the key areas The technologies that have be introduced at the key levels The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences The issues raised in targeting national and local audiences Your own media consumption

5. CONVERGENCE (VIDEO) Convergencedescribes two phenomena: First, technologies coming together, for example, a mobile phone you can use as a still and moving image camera, download and watch moving images on, use as an MP3 player and recorder and access the internet with. Second, media industries are diversifying so they produce and distribute across several media—for example, a newspaper with an online version and audio podcasts or the coming together of videogames with films. We no longer live in a media world where television, videogames, films, newspapers, radio, magazines and music exist separately. For this reason it is essential that you study the impact of convergence on the film industry — the focus here is on the contemporary. You will need to be able to discuss how your film company has used convergence to their advantage when producing, distributing, marketing etc.

6. Synergy The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect. Disney is an example of synergy

7. Digital screens 2008 -310 screens End of 2009-642 screens 449 screens capable of screening 3D-working with the UK film council to install

8. CASE STUDIES USA Avatar The dark knight UK Harry Brown Street dance 3D

9. Harry Brown

10. Street dance 3D 412 screens UK film council grant

11. The Dark knight

12. Avatar The success of Avatar was ensured when the film achieved critical acclaim, since it had the backing of a company that was able to use cross media convergence since it owns companies within a range of industries.

13. Current UK film achieving success is the Kings speech. This should be one film that you are discussing in your exam as an example of a British film that has overcome the difficulties that British films have.

14. You should be aware of: What is the affect on the British film industry and Independent filmmakers of Major Film Studios? Answer: The film industry is dominated by major Hollywood studios – these studios often own companies that cover all aspects of the filmmaking process You should be aware of how films are promoted across several different types of media- Convergence 360 degree promotion is easily affordable for a big American studio

15. WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON DISTRIBUTION OF FILM? Distribution is cheaper than buying separate prints Quicker Simultaneous global releases of films to cut down the attraction of pirate copies. (The Dark knight did not suffer the effects of piracy as they put out a huge campaign

16. You need to make sure that you are aware of the current cinema findings: Popular genres Age range of people going to the cinema Age of people downloading film