VERTIGO FILMSBy Millie Wheeler

MEDIA OWNERSHIP

Vertigo films is a British independent film company.

Despite being large for an independent British Film Company, its remains minute in comparison to Media giants such as warner brothers as they have an aim of producing only 4 films a year.

The company finances or co-finances films for a variety of budgets. It is co-owner of Protagonist Pictures, although its films are not exclusive to the company. Vertigo also has a successful post production company in Berlin, The Post Republic.

‘Child’ of Vertigo Records.

SYNERGY AND CROSS MEDIA CONVERGENCE Vertigo have worked with many other companies in the past in

production of their films such as BBC1 films, E1 entertainment and even Warner Bros.

Warner Bros distributed ‘The Firm’ with Vertigo films. In 2008, Faintheart was released by Vertigo Films, and was the first

production to be created using input from an online site -The film was a result of an collaboration of MySpace, Film 4 and Vertigo Films; this was then named MyMovieMashUp. They aimed to connect the talents of the online community and to enable them to be involved in the film-making process. Various cast and crew members were picked from MySpace to work on the project/ This was a new and unique tactic in the film-making industry. Although the casting and soundtrack were assembled with the help of MySpace , the screenplay was written by UK-based writer David Lemon.[

-Professional Viking re-enactors from UK-based company "The Vikings" formed part of the cast alongside Britannia Romano- British society. Also a specialist stunt team from East 15 Acting School. took part in filming the large battles under the Fight Direction of Richard Ryan.

MORE SYNERGY AND CROSS MEDIA CONVERGENCE

StreetDance starred Britain's Got Talent stars George Sampson and Diversity and Flawless.

The soundtrack to the film was written and performed by alternative acts N-Dubz, Tinie Tempah, Lightbulb Thieves and Chipmunk.

The film is a production of Vertigo Films in association with BBC Films.

N-Dubz composed the official soundtrack. The song “We Dance On”, featuring “Bodyrox” and was sent to music stations on 22 April.

On 28 May 2012, Phase 4 films has acquired the US rights for the film, along with its sequel, StreetDance 2.

WHAT DO THESE EXAMPLES OF CROSS MEDIA CONVERGENCE AND SYNERGY TELL US ?

The combination of talent show acts, musicians and Universal Studios in order to produce and distribute the films shows that to an extent the company relies on the synergy with such companies in order to promote their films.

The cross media convergence Britain's got Talent, use of 3D, MySpace and various other forms reveals their modern approach to technology and aims of attracting a wider and younger audience.

FILM AND NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES

StreetDance 3D remains one of the most successful British Independent films of all time, taking nearly $60million at the worldwide box office. This shows how the advance of 3D impacted the success of the film.

The DVD and Blue-ray came out on 27 September in the UK which had 2 discs (one 2D and one 3D), also came with 3D glasses.

This makes buying the DVD more appealing as it offers a more unique experience to the usual DVD.

FILM AND NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES/ THE SPREAD OF TECHNOLOGY

There is opportunity

on Vertigo Films website

To buy ‘The Children’ on demand for only 99p. This is quick, easy, and cheap and a great way of interesting audiences.

Due to the spread of technology, regardless of money or personal ownership the majority of people have access to a computer. This means that online opportunity to watch films can prove extremely helpful for companies such as Vertigo.

TECHNOLOGICAL CONVERGENCE

On Google play there is opportunity to purchase films including StreetDance as a permanent downloaded film.

This allows fans/viewers to keep the film on their Phone which is easily transported and appealing to the younger viewer.

This helps smaller companies such as Vertigo Films to re-distribute their films as opportunities such as this provide opportunity to experience the films in new ways.

BIG INDUSTRIES TARGETING BRITISH AUDIENCES. Phase 4 films has acquired the US rights for ‘StreetDance’. StreetDance3D- Box Office: 11 million.

- Distributed By Universal Studios and Vertigo Films. - Studio: BBC Films,E1 Entertainment, HMV, Phase 4 Films

Bronson -Box office Grossing; $2.260,712 -Distributed: Vertigo Films and Magnet releasing - Studio : Vertigo Films, Aramid Entertainment, Str8jacket Creations, EM

Media ,4DH Films, Perfume Films.

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MY MEDIA CONSUMPTION

There are many ways in which I have consumed media/ have media accessible to me. I have decided to show this in expressing what ways I have watched various films since 2013 (using the most recent if above 5).Cinema : The Hobbit and unexpected journey. DVD: The Hobbit, Breaking Dawn Part 2, Taken 2, 10 things I hate about you, The Blues Brothers.Demand/ Television: SkyFall, Totally Undercover , The Kings Speech.Sky On Demand (PC) : many films available. Phone/Android: The Hobbit (DVD comes with a UV card enabling you to upload the film to your phone.)