Vertical and Horizontal integration

Vertical integration: when a company can control all stages of production, distribution and exhibition for a new film release because they own all companies involved = they profit from every aspect of film production.

Horizontal integration: when a company also own the related companies that produce websites, games linked to films, merchandising, DVD release.

Synergy: where institutions are not owned by the same company but work together for mutually beneficial purposes e.g. Fox Searchlight and Film Four.

1) Find some examples of vertical and horizontal integration

2) Investigate/research who owns the companies involved in Slumdog Millionaire.

Freepress is a useful place to start...

This is a really useful blog that has links to other information regarding the British Film Industry...

3) Which country owns most of the market share of companies? How does this benefit institutions? How does this disadvantage audiences? How can small British companies survive in this market? How has Web 2.0 allowed an initially small, indie film like Slumdog Millionaire to achieve such international success?

Some online tools to use...

What is a British film? Definitions...

Read the this chart and take key notes about what films have to cover in order to be considered 'British'.

According to the government (2003), British Film is defined as:
* a setting in the UK, a focus on British people abroad, a predominantly British cast, a story-line focused on British life (past, present or future), or based on the work of a British author.
* The nationalities of scriptwriter, producer, director and the investment seem less significant.  However, both artistic and financial implications complicate this distinction.

As demonstrated in the BBC article, the rules about how films qualify for being classed as 'British' are being relaxed, in order to encourage more funding for British Films.

Changes to British Film culture test - BBC article...

Now, read this recent article and summarise the changes in the definition of a 'British' film from 2003 to 2013.

Use these ideas to write about how Gravity fits into the category of 'British'?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25232305

Channel 4: Film4 research

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/film-4-renaissance-set-to-continue-1964118.html

http://www.channel4.com/info/corporate/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tessa-ross-the-tv-executive-who-is-the-mother-of-british-filmmaking-1419139.html

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/840487/index.html

http://www.film4.com/film4-productions

1. What is Film4's remit (ideology/purpose for existing)?
2. Why is Tessa Ross regarded as "the mother of British Film-making" and how is this important for the success of Film4?
3. What is the future for Film4?

Distribution and marketing, exhibition

Distribution and Marketing
the process through which films are delivered to audiences by:
* booking showings into cinema schedules,
* delivering copies of film reels through shipping and van delivery, or through digital download,
* creating marketing campaigns: posters, trailers, web coverage, tv appearances from lead actors, preview evenings, press packs, radio, social networking, competitions, imaginative and innovative use of advertising through synergy with other brands, oversee successful and profitable DVD release, obtain BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) certificate and ensure films are exhibited at the most profitable time of year for that film.

Exhibition
how films are viewed by audiences:
* in cinemas,
* at home on DVD/download/netflix,
* box office figures for 1st week of exhibition,
* audience reviews: film critics, audience comments on social media,
* awards in festivals: BAFTAS, Oscars etc.

Convergence
when two different technologies or types of media join together e.g. online radio podcasts, catch up tv online, internet access on mobile phone etc...

Using the elements of the definitions outlined above, create a distribution, marketing and exhibition mind map for the film Slumdog Millionaire. 

How was the film distributed? What problems did they face?
US Distributors: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/

How was it filmed? What Academy Awards, Oscars and other awards did it win? What is significant about this, being filmed digitally?

Danny Boyle on digital filming:


Info about the camera he is talking about and the filming process:
http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/
http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/News/PR_01_31_09_Slumdog.html

Info about what a gyroscope is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope
What does this tell us about the use of old and new technology for modern film making? Use the key term convergence in your answers...

How does filming using digital technology compare, cost wise, to using a full film crew and camera set-up? What implications does this have for film-making?
Is this reflected in the distribution and marketing stages? What conclusions can you draw about the use of digital technology and the impact on the film making process?

Web 2.0 - Gauntlett

Conventional research methods are replaced—or at least supplemented by new methods which recognise and make use of people's own creativity, and brush aside the outmoded notions of 'receiver'    audiences     and elite  'producers'.

(Gauntlett, 2007a: 4)