1. Impact of
technology
Film Distribution
Who is in charge?
Technologies

2. Topics for exam
» The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice;
» The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of
production, marketing and exchange;
» The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and
audiences;
» The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
» The importance of cross media convergence and synergy, in production,
distribution and marketing;
» The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically,
British) by international and global institutions;
» The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption
illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.

3. Monsters (2010)
•GB Science fiction film
•Vertigo films
•Directed by Gareth Edwards
•Cost $500,000 to make
•Took $4.2 million approx
•Gareth Edwards was cinematographer,
visual effects director and storyboard
designer too.
•$15,000 for filming equipmentMostly non-
actors
•Improvised
•Used Adobe software, ZBrush and
Autodesk 3ds Max for special effects
•Once the film was locked, Edwards had five
months to create all 250 visual effects shots,
a process he undertook in his bedroom. "[I
was] churning out about two shots a day,
which was fine until I got to the first creature
shot. Then suddenly two months went by
and I still hadn't finished a single creature
shot; it turned out to be the hardest part of
the whole process." Due to time constraints,
the sound effects had to be produced
before the special effects were undertaken.
[10] Edwards claimed that the advances in computer technology in recent years made it possible for him to create t
Jurassic Park on"

4. How was it marketed?
» What is foursquare?
» Internet research – How was
Monsters distributed and exhibited?
» Who distributed it in the UK?

5. Independent example

6. Expendables
» Take over youtube…
» Haywire
» Limitless
» Kung Fu Panda 2 all did the same
http://digital-
examples.blogspot.com/search/lab
el/films

7. UK distributors
» United International Pictures (UIP)
» Warner Bros
» Buena Vista
» Twentieth Century Fox
» Sony
» 9/10 films are distributed through
these companies.

8. » Most linked to Hollywood production
companies.
» They deal with distributors who used to be
owned by them but work with them for
reasons of profit.
» Who prioritize US films over any others
» Able to have a blanket release.
» Able to create an ‘event’.
» 1/2 the films released do not reach the
entire country.

9. A MUST!
» You must not see film distribution as
a helpful stage for a film.
» Films do not get treated equally
» The big companies who control
much of the industry control
distribution of their own products
and others.

10. Effectively…
» In the UK film market, an
increase in
the number of screens as not
led to an increase in the
number of films shown.

11. The Monsters

12. Exam topic
THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT HAVE
BEEN INTRODUCED IN RECENT
YEARS AT THE LEVELS OF
PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND
EXCHANGE;

13. Gauntlett (2007)
BLURRING OF LINES BETWEEN
AUDIENCE AND INDUSTRY.
MEDIA/WEB 2.0.

14. New technologies
Conglomerate Independent
In groups produce a presentation that highlights,
with examples the impact that new technologies
have had on a stage of production, distribution or
exchange for your chosen example.

15. Case studies you could use…
Conglomerate Independent
» The Dark Knight » Four Lions
» The Boat That Rocked » Monsters
» Paul » Paranormal activity
» Any Contemporary » Slumdog Millionaire
working title production » Shifty
» Star Wars Episode 1: 3D
The technologies you may wish to consider:
CGI, Digital technology, the Internet, mobile
phones etc.

16. The proliferation of
technology who does it
help?
Conglomerates Independents

17. Example question
» Discuss the ways in which media
product(s) are produced audiences,
within a media area, which you
have studied.

18. Internet activity
» In pairs you will be given a
conglomerate.
» What do they own?
» Viacom
» General Electric
» News Corporation
» Time Warner

19. Activity
HOW COULD EACH DO MEDIA
CONVERGENCE?

20. » Small companies cannot afford to
make many prints so larger
companies dominate
» So for smaller films have to wait to
be seen as independent cinemas
such as the Cornerhouse.
» UK film council is tried to address the
problem via the digital screen
network
» Placing free digital projectors in
cinemas.

21. Classification
» Crucial stage to Film Distribution
» Produce a set of guidelines
» It is self regulatory
» Film makers and producers have
limited control
» It could targeted and promoted for
a 15 audience however could get
an 18 certificate by the BBFC!

22. Council?
» What power does the council have
over BBFC?

23. BBFC considerations
1. LEGAL - Material may break the law -
there are several laws to do with
obscenity, equality, incitement and the
protection of children
2. PROTECTIVE - Material is scrutinised for its
potential to cause harm
3. SOCIETAL - Material is reviewed with
broader public image in mind like bad
language