Take a seat and have a go at identifying these brands?

Lesson Aims

• Be able to discuss the institutional factors relating to films, including the different types of film companies that feature at the beginning of films and what their significance is.

• Be able to apply this to your own film opening - what type of film companies would be involved and how will this effect your film?

• Have created a first draft of your company ident.

By the end of the lesson you should:

Major Studios• The ‘Big Six’• Part of massive media conglomerates• Big blockbusters, high concept films, mass

marketed films - to appeal to mass audiences• Bigger budgets• Business is to make money

The Film Industry

The Film IndustryIndependent film companies• Not part of major studios or conglomerates• Indie can sometimes mean art film or non mass

marketed film.• So, usually (but not always) more about a filmmakers

artistic style or telling a story than making money.• Often have to gain finance from other sources and so

budget can be much smaller• Many successful independents have been taken over by

major studios or conglomerates (e.g. Working Title).

Major studio or independent?

Major studios – The ‘Big Six’

What would you expect from a film if you saw one of these logos? Consider stars, locations, genre, action, etc.

Independents

Would you expect anything different from a film if you saw one of these logos?

The Film Industry• Many films will be co-produced by several

production companies (spread the cost/risk) and all will want to be credited in the opening sequence.

• Distribution companies will also want to be credited – they do not make the film but are responsible for marketing it and getting it into cinemas, etc.

• Many production companies, mostly the major studios, have distribution arms.