Unit 8 Understanding Film and Television

What is the structure of the television industry? 
Is made up of publicly funded channels, commercial channels are channels that have adverts which pay the channels to use their channel to advertise there products and there is also on demand channels. The structure of the television industry is that the public pays for a TV license and certain channels on Sky, these are how the publicly television industry exists. Demand channels are subscription based channels which need to be paid for to be able to watch them. 

What is the structure of the film industry?

Is made up of development, production, distribution and exhibition. You have to development the film you're going to make for example writing a script, plan the shooting lists, the ideas and how is going to be apart of your film. The production is actually making the film and bringing your ideas to life on the screen, you then take your film to try and get it distributed by a Studio, once it's been bought and it's rights have been signed over you then get to exhibit your film in Cinemas, DVD and Blu Ray, Netflix etc. Or you can exhibit your films at Film Festivals or an art house or online. 

 The future of the television is at risk because the chief executive of Channel 4 has warned that large parts of the British television industry are being bought up almost wholesale by US media companies, while the medium faces a longer term existential threat from the increasing involvement of technology giants including Apple and Google. David Abraham said public service broadcasters including Channel 4 and the BBC were the only bulwark against a broadcasting industry dominated by US media moguls such as Rupert Murdoch and Virgin Media owner John Malone and even larger technology firms. Delivering the prestigious James MacTaggart memorial lecture at the Guardian Edinburgh international television festival on Thursday evening, Abraham said, "TV is clearly now a combat vehicle for tech and mobile companies and platforms to compete with each other rather than a sovereign industry in its own right." He urged politicians and regulators to act decisively to "update and strengthen" the UK's PSB system, a great British invention that had "created the best conditions for creative programme-making on the planet".

In my opinion I think the impact it has on the television industry that eventually the British channels will close down and be run by all US channels or internet services. 

New technology

TV:

• 4k ultra definition tv, smart tv.
• tablets/phones- streaming devices
• providers: netflix
• glass (google)
• sky go- record anywhere
• voice command not remote
• illegal streaming.

Film

• 4d
• imax
• 3d
• high frame
• rate
• 48 frames per second
• digital 

• Media Conglomerates - definition - Is when one company owns media services and products from different types of media. - example - Walt Disney Company       

       

• Publicly Funded - definition - Funded through tax money. i.e the public pay through their taxes. - example -  BBC

• Globalisation - definition - The process of international integration of world news, products, ideas and other aspects of culture. - example - The Rise of the internet

• Commercial Channels - definition - Funded by the revenue from broadcast advertisements. - example -  ITV

• World Service - definition - The international broadcaster, is currently funded by grant - in - aid through Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British Government.  - example -  BBC World Service

• Cross Media - definition - Is the combination of two or more companies of different types usually involving a parent company. - example -  Sky

• On demand channels - definition - A service provided by the channel so viewers can watch programme's from that channel online. - example -  4oD

• Local - definition - Usually refers to the local area. - example -  BBC Radio Manchester

• Franchise - definition - Ownership of the characters and setting of a film, video game, book etc - example -  Harry Potter Figurines 

• Public Service broadcasting - definition - Network is obliged to broadcast programming of public importance, including news, current affairs, children's religious programming as well as party election broadcasting on behalf of the major political party's. - example - BBC 1 

• National - definition - owned, controlled or financially supported by the state. - example - Channel 4

Television

• What is your favourite TV programme? My favourite TV programme ever is Buffy the Vampire Slayer which isn't shown anymore because it's a 90's show, but repeats can be watched on the Syfy channel.
• Which company makes it? The show was made by Joss Whedon's under his production tag Mutant Enemy Productions and was distributed by a new channel at the time WB Television Network.  
• What is commercial TV? Where TV costs are covered by the showing of commercial advertisements during the breaks of a show. 
• What is publicly funded TV? Public television receive funding from sources such as license fees, individual contributions, public financing, and commercial financing.
• What is TV on demand? TV broadcasters are now making some of their programmes available via the internet, usually after they have been transmitted. Because you can choose when you watch these programmes, the service is known as “TV on demand”. Some on-demand services allow you to download TV programmes to your PC for you to watch at your leisure. Other services allow you to watch programmes directly on the broadcasters’ websites in a process known as “live streaming”. 
• How many people are employed in television in UK?  there are 1.5 million people employed in TV in the UK.
• Give an example of an independent TV company? ITV is a commercial TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 as Independent Television under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority.
• Who regulates TV in the UK? British Television is regulated by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), it regulates competition, television monopolies, consumer complaints and even marketing (Advertisments). Ofcom is fully independent, and is not owned by the UK Government, but has the powers given to it by the Communications Act 2003.

Film

• What’s the last film you have seen? Wedding Ringer
• Which company made it? Will Packer Productions and Miramax Films, distributed by Screen Gems
• Who owns the company? Miramax Films was a leading independent film motion picture distribution and production company before it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 1993. The Weinsteins operated Miramax with more creative and financial independence than any other division of Disney, until 2005 when they decided to leave the company and founded The Weinstein Company.

• Who are the Big 6’ film companies in the United States? 

1. Warner Bros. Pictures.
2. Paramount Pictures.
3. Walt Disney.
4. Columbia Pictures
5. Universal Studios
6. 20th Century Fox. Also known as "Twentieth Century Fox,"

• Look at the Top 10 films showing in the UK and find out which companies made them.

• Focus
• 50 Shades of Grey 
• Second Best Marigold Hotel
• Selma
• Birdman
• The Boy Next Door
• American Sniper
• Into The Woods

• Who are the biggest UK film companies?
• Aardman Animations
• Archer Street Films
• Bedlam Productions
• DJ Films
• Independent Film Company
• Revolution Films

• How many people work in the film industry in the UK?

• In 2012, there were 70,000 people working in the UK film industry
• 65% work in production, 10% in distribution and 25% in exhibition.
• We are currently in a boom for film production jobs, up 261% on 1996
• Most of this is fuelled by Hollywood’s inward investment in the UK
• Many cinema staff are on zero-hour contracts
• The number of cinema screens is stable but exhibition jobs are not

• Who regulates film in the UK?

British Board of Film Classification is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom.

Structure of the film industry: Studio and Conglomerates 

Summary: Big companies like Walt Disney own many other studios, the main studios have the rights and own other studios aswell. The way conglomerates are structured.

Vertical integration means the two or three stages of production are owned. 

Production: (Making it) 

Distribution: (Marketing it) 

Exhibition: (Showing it)

We have to prove that the conglomerate owns a production company, they either have to own two or three a distribution company or an exhibition company. My job in the Vlog is to prove if they're vertically integrated.  

A company can also be "horizontal integration"  which means that one company owns a range of different companies such as newspapers, book, publishers, online or music companies. My job in the Vlog is to prove if they're horizontally integrated. 

Conglomerate Research:

Walt Disney Pictures

What are there famous films and successful box office results?

1. The Avengers: $623,289,552
2. Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest: $423,563,812
3. Finding Nemo: $380,569,376
4. The Sixth Sense: $283,906,304

Are they a conglomerate, what other companies do they own?

Walt Disney is the third largest media conglomerate in the world. They own various companies such as:

• Marvel
• Lucas arts 
• ABC Television Network
• Touchstone Pictures
• Miramax
• Pixar 

3.    List 6 films that the company has made in the last 5 years

• Frozen
• Tangled
• Maleficent
• Into the Woods
• The Lone Ranger
• Big Hero 6

4.    How much money are they worth?
        $194.52 Billion 

5.    What new technological developments have they made?

Open Source Software has a special meaning for Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS). The Studio has a deep history of technological innovation, ranging from pioneering the use of digital methods for creating hand-drawn animation using the Academy Award® winning software, CAPS , to developing 3D painting and rendering techniques in Deep Canvas, also Academy Award® winning software. Through the years, the Studio has continued to innovate in all aspects of creating animated works. As the state of the industry has changed, allowing Open Source Software to become a common foundation for many technologies, WDAS has championed the use of and now contributes to such software. In short, we want to contribute back to the community; therefore, we have established this platform. We encourage you to investigate and use the technologies we are sharing. We also very much welcome your collaboration and contribution in these areas. 

Film Company: 20th Century Fox

1.    What are their famous films and successful box office results?

1	Avatar	Fox	$749,766,139	3,461	$77,025,481	3,452	12/18/09
2	Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace	Fox	$431,088,295	3,126	$64,820,970	2,970	5/19/99
3	Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith	Fox	$380,270,577	3,663	$108,435,841	3,661	5/19/05
4	Star Wars	Fox	$307,263,857	1,750	$1,554,475	43	5/25/77
5	Independence Day

2.    Are they owned by a conglomerate? What other companies do this conglomerate own? Prove with examples...

Fox Music
Sky italia
Fox Broadcasting TV
Fox Sports
National Geographic

3.    List 6 films that the company has made in the last 5 years

• Avatar 
• X Men - Days of Future Past 
• Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 
• The Maze Runner
• The Wolverine 
• Let's Be Cops

4.    How much money are they and their conglomerate worth?

$31.867 billion

5.    What new technological developments have they made?

Dunn oversees every aspect of the studio’s domestic and international home entertainment businesses, managing more than $2.5 billion in annual revenue.

He’s been one of the main drivers of several industry-wide digital initiatives, most recently Digital HD (offering digital sellthrough of HD movies weeks before disc), launched in 2012. As a studio, Fox has seen significant growth in its digital sellthrough performance for titles since Digital HD launched (with 12 Years a Slave andThe Wolverine the most successful Digital HD titles to date). More importantly, most every studio has adopted the Digital HD moniker to promote digital home entertainment products.

Dunn has also been key in making sure Fox is at the forefront in the emerging 4K, Ultra-HD ecosystem. The studio spearheaded a strategic partnership with Samsung that creates a unique opportunity to introduce Ultra-HD movies to audiences around the world, while also developing solutions for the future of the business.

Film Company: Warner Bros

1.    What are their famous films and successful box office results?

1	The Dark Knight	WB	$533,345,358	4,366	$158,411,483	4,366	7/18/08
2	The Dark Knight Rises	WB	$448,139,099	4,404	$160,887,295	4,404	7/20/12
3	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2	WB	$381,011,219	4,375	$169,189,427	4,375	7/15/11
4	American Sniper	WB	$332,241,639	3,885	$633,456	4	12/25/14
5	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	WB	$317,575,550	3,672	$90,294,621	3,672	11/16/01

2.    Are they owned by a conglomerate? What other companies do this conglomerate own? Prove with examples

• Warner Bros. Pictures
• New Line Cinema
• Warner Bros. Television 
• Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
• HBO
• Turner Broadcasting System
• Cartoon Network 
• Boomerang
• Warner Bros. Music 
• WB Games

3.    List 6 films that the company has made in the last 5 years

• The Dark Knight
• The Dark Knight Rises
• The Hangover
• 300
• Inception 
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

4.    How much money are they and their conglomerate worth?

$12 Billion 

5.    What new technological developments have they made?

WARNER BROS. TECHNICAL OPERATIONS, a studio-wide development and operational organization, harnesses innovation and developing technologies that facilitate business development and growth throughout Warner Bros. Entertainment. The division is also responsible for providing comprehensive, operational management for areas directly related to the worldwide distribution of the Studio’s content (theatrical, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, digital, games and television), protection of content, asset management and distribution through traditional, new and emerging outlets.

Film Company: Sony Pictures

1.    What are their famous films and successful box office results?

1	Spider-Man	May 3, 2002	Adventure	PG-13	$403,706,375	$567,690,375
2	Spider-Man 2	Jun 30, 2004	Adventure	PG-13	$373,524,485	$491,416,268
3	Men in Black	Jul 1, 1997	Adventure	PG-13	$250,690,539	$445,250,319
4	Spider-Man 3	May 4, 2007	Adventure	PG-13	$336,530,304	$399,629,733
5	Skyfall	Nov 8, 2012	Action	PG-13	$304,360,288	$312,227,710

2.    Are they a conglomerate? What other companies do this conglomerate own? Prove with examples

Sony Pictures
Columbia TriStar
 Song Pictures Classics
Columbia Pictures
AOL
Loews Theatres
Columbia American
So-net

3.    List 6 films that the company has made in the last 5 years

• The Amazing Spider-Man
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2
• The Smurfs 2
• 21 Jump Street 
• Robo Cop
• Quantum of Solace 

4.    How much money are they and their conglomerate worth?

$8 billion

5.    What new technological developments have they made?

Sony have numerous new technological developments as they make they're own brand of TV's, Headphones, Cameras. The TV's are 4K resolution even on Blu Rays, DVDs, TV Broadcasts and Internet Videos. 

Film Company: Paramount Pictures

1.    What are their famous films and successful box office results?

1	Titanic	Par.	$600,788,188	3,265	$28,638,131	2,674	12/19/97
2	Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen	P/DW	$402,111,870	4,293	$108,966,307	4,234	6/24/09
3	Transformers: Dark of the Moon	P/DW	$352,390,543	4,088	$97,852,865	4,088	6/29/11
4	Forrest Gump	Par.	$329,694,499	2,365	$24,450,602	1,595	7/6/94
5	Shrek the Third	P/DW	$322,719,944	4,172	$121,629,270	4,122	5/18/07

2.    Are they owned by a conglomerate? What other companies do this conglomerate own? Prove with examples

• Dream Works
• MTV Films
• Nickelodeon Movies
• Paramount Classics
• Paramount Animation 

3.    List 6 films that the company has made in the last 5 years

• Star Trek 
• Transformers
• Transformers Age of Extinction 
• Mission Impossible -Ghost Protocol 
• Mean Girls
• The Wolf of Wall Street

4.    How much money are they and their conglomerate worth?

$1.2 billion in 2011. 

5.    What new technological developments have they made?

The Studios at Paramount has always been an industry leader and home to countless 
famous television and motion picture productions.  Today, we’re ushering in a new era of 
excellence and embarking on a new phase of history by continuing the evolution of our services and facilities to meet the demands of today and tomorrow’s production partners. When you partner with us, you’ll discover how we’re combining our vast experience with the latest state-of-the-art technology to provide an incredibly diverse array of production support services managed by the most talented professionals in the industry. You’ll see that no other production facility in the world can boast of the talent, commitment and technology possessed by the Studios at Paramount.

Script Notes

In my VLOG section on film I will introduce film company and tell the audience what they're famous for? 

• What are some of their most successful box office films?
• Who are their competition? 
• How are they structured 
• Who is the conglomerate that owns them, are they part of a horizontal or vertically integrated structure integrated what other things do the conglomerate own, what other companies do they have links with?
• How much money is the conglomerate worth? Are they successful? 
• What debates are there about the power of the few media companies? - whats your opinion? Such few media companies owning SO MUCH. 
• What New technologies has the film industry developed?
• What technological development do you think is next for film? 

Television – BBC

1.    Where is the BBC located? - The headquarters is in London and there is a studio in Manchester Salford  

3.    What does BBC stand for? - The British Broadcasting Corporation

4.    Who owns the BBC? - It's been a public body under royal charter since 1927. The British public pay for it, and if it's 'owned' by anybody, it belongs to the state. 

The person 'in charge' is current Director-General Mark Thompson.

5.    How is the BBC funded? - The annual cost of a colour TV licence is £145.50

6.    List what type of programmes the BBC show? - Water Loo Road is a Soap, Call the Midwife is a Soap, The Graham Norton Show is a talk show. Escape the Country is reality. 

7.    Is the BBC a media conglomerate? If yes explain, if no explain - Yes the BBC is a media conglomerate because it owns BBC iplayer, and has multiple different BBC channels and BBC radio and BBC music plus BBC films. 

8. Is the company multinational, national or local? and give your reasons.   - The BBC is a multinational company because it has a BBC world channel, and people from all over the country can watch shows which are shown on the BBC. 

  

Activity  2 

Read the article on the website below and answer the following questions:

​http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/value-for-money-in-public-services/future-of-the-bbc/

What is the ethos of the BBC? To inform, educate and inform. 

What is the BBC for? They have to make sure that there is a diverse range of programmes for a diverse range of people. Needs to make sure it carters to everyone. 

What is the future of the BBC? Videos on demand, variety of different channels, less people might stop watching because of the internet so it could mean less funding so where will they get there funding from, need more funding options. The BBC might have to become a private sector and get their funding from adverts, investors.


Activity 3 

Watch the You Tube video (http://youtu.be/D3X9rc0KXxU)  on the BBC and answer the questions

What does the video say that the BBC is doing incorrectly? It is trying to focus more on entertainment and informing and educating. They are coping ITV which programme such as X factor, the BBC show The Voice.  The BBC are turning into a commercial channel. Failing to make good viewing although they are spending lots of money on shows, making public fund them with TV licenses fees but they are not appealing to a wide range audience. 

What does the article say about the funding in the future for the BBC? If they turn into a commercial channel they need to start being funded like one and through sponsorships and advertisements. 

Activity 4

What, according to the article below, what is wrong with the BBC

The article is saying that the ITV want to take money from the BBC's funding to find their owen channels such as their news channels. ITV are already providing a entertainment channel which is free where as the BBC are charging the public and are not providing services for everybody they are starting to concentrate on entertainment the same as ITV. The BBC are not creating something new, they are remaining the same programme.