Global institutions dominate media production, these institutions sell their products and services to national audiences, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Global institutions dominate media production, these institutions sell their products and services to national audiences, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Global institutions are institutions that distribute and produce films, ‘the big six’ global institutions are Universal, paramount, 21^st century Fox, Warner Bro’s, Sony and Disney.

One of the big six is Warner bro’s, warner bro’s pictures distributed the Blockbuster film Inception, Its official budget was $160 million, a cost which was split between Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures, and Warner Bros. spent $100 million marketing the film, they carried out endless marketing using various marketing strategies such as 9 different TV spots, a film website, various posters, teaser trailer, and various official trailers, inception were able to draw in big actor’s such as Leonardo dicaprio this meant that they could use him in the marketing of the film and gave them a head start by catching the attention of Leonardo dicaprio fans.

Another of the ‘big six’ is universal, universal own 67% of the British production company Working title, Working title films produced the film PAUL a 2011, British-American science fiction comedy film. The budget for the film was around $40 million; PAUL used various marketing techniques such as a teaser trailer and an official trailer, because of the smaller budget PAUL wasn’t able to carry out any where near as much marketing as inception because the inception marketing budget alone was more than double PAUL’s budget, other techniques of marketing were used for example Simon peg used the social networking site twitter to tweet and advertise for the film.

In contrast Joe Cornish’s 2011 British science fiction comedy horror film wasn’t released by one of the big six it was released by Studio Canal’s British distribution company Optimum Releasing, the budget for production and film was only $13million, this represents how the big six dominate the media because attack the block is lower budget film that made less money and wasn’t marketed as well as films such as inception so it wasn’t well known which affected how much money is was set to make.

 To conclude I strongly agree with the statement that global institutions dominate the media, for example to big six production companies dominate the media because of their large budgets which allows them to splash out on a larger scale of production and marketing allowing them to spend more money and gain more recognition which permits them to dominate the media and film industry.

How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area which you have studied?

How important is technological convergence for institutions and audiences within a media area which you have studied?

Technological convergence has allowed institutions in film to produce and market films in a variety of ways and has provided films with different and new characteristics.

The development in technology has meant that different cameras and special effect can be added and used in films; producers from the film inception used The film 'Inception' was shot using 35mm camera with key scenes film on a 65mm format, but several different varieties of cameras/ lenses to achieve a diverse amount of shots and effects.

Special effects help to set each film apart, in the making of the film PAUL the production team used CGI special effects to create the main character being PAUL the alien and in Attack the block Joe Cornish used CG special effects to create the alien like characters in the film. The classic film Titanic has recently been released in 3D producers of the film decided to recreate the film in 3D, special effects such as 3D benefit the audience because they are allowing the audience to explore new areas and features that can enhance film watching, and adds to viewer’s entertainment.

Films are marketed essentially to grab the populations attention and draw them in to showing an interest and wanting to watch the film, films can be marketed using new technology in so many different ways- Tv adverts; inception released 9 different tv spots, by having so many it grabbed the attention of the audience by starting to piece together a story. Social networking (twitter, Facebook, blogs) Simon Pegg a writer and cast member involved in PAUL used twitter to tweet about the upcoming release/ backstage to attract viewers and allows them an exclusive peak which would be interesting for the audience. Film websites- inception set up a film website showing features/ soundtracks and trailers.

Release with technological convergence, DVD and blu ray films, attack the block was released on DVD and DVD blue ray (HD). Technological convergence has meant that people can download films from the internet straight to their laptop/ phone or ipad, this has meant that technology with films can keep up with peoples busy schedule and means people can watch the films/ trailers at any convenient time.  However this could mean that film company’s are losing money because people are illegally downloading films for free and aren’t benefitting the actual film team because they aren’t buying the film direct on DVD or blu ray.

Distribution with technological convergence, technological convergence has meant that films in cinemas are now turning digital which means they can be shown easier because they aren’t on the large rolls of film, it has also meant that films can be released so much quicker than in the past.