2. British Cinema and Hollywood
British film production companies have co-
production and distribution with Hollywood studios
‘British’ films can be funded and distributed by US
companies (Fifth Estate)
Decisions on which British films to produce and how
to market them are often based on the tastes of both
domestic and American audiences and they have
very set ideas about what it means to be ‘British’
3. Hollywood – a brief overview
Hollywood is built around studios and
conglomerates
Companies who aim to make money from films
4. WHAT IS A CONGLOMERATE?
a corporation consisting of a number of subsidiary
companies or divisions in a variety of unrelated
industries, usually as a result of merger or
acquisition.
They are VERY big companies that have often brought
up or taken over smaller companies
7. Vertical Integration
Where a company will own/control all the steps in
the production process
For example AOL Time Warner owns not just the
Production companies and their distribution arms, it
also owns TV networks, magazines, record labels,
radio stations. So it is in a position to not only make
and distribute films, but has the ability to play and
promote them through other media forms.
8. Horizontal Integration
Where one step in the production process is own by a
very small number of companies
For example, AOL Time Warner owns Warner
Brothers Studios, Castle Rock Entertainment , New
line Cinemas and Fineline features, all of which are
Production and distribution Companies. Many
companies try to do this, but it is dominated by the
big 6
9. What is a MONOPOLY?
exclusive control of a commodity or service in a
particular market, or a control that makes possible
the manipulation of prices.
No or very little competition!
This is the Hollywood system and it has serious draw
backs for British companies
What might they be?
14. CONSEQUENCES OF CONGLOMERATES
Media become loyal to sponsors, rather than to the
public interest.
For the general public, there are fewer diverse
opinions and voices available.
Only a few companies represent the interests of a
minority elite control.
For minorities and others, fewer opportunities are
available for voicing their concerns and reaching
the public.
Healthy, market-based competition is absent,
leading to slower innovation and increased prices.
15. Hollywood and British Films
Hollywood realised that there is serious money
to be made in international distribution so they
invest heavily
They retain the rights to their films so secure
profits for many years
British film industry is production led whereby
distribution is usually through an American
company
Any money made is not going back into the
British film industry
‘Cottage’ industry
29. Questions
What are the advantages of Hollywood’s
domination?
What are the disadvantages of Hollywood’s
domination
What is good about having a British Film Industry?
