Film Industry Research

1) Universal Studio Pictures is owned by Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal.
2) The economic interests of this company are:

• Cable television
• Broadband internet
• VoIP phone
• Television Broadcasting
• Motion Pictures
• Radio Broadcasting
• Sports Franchise 
• Theme Park
• Venture Capital

3) Media interests of Comcast:

• Television Broadcasting
• Motion Pictures
• Radio Broadcasting

A subsidiary is a company totally or partially owned by another company. Universal is therefore a subsidiary of Comcast and NBC.

1) NBCUniversal's subsidiaries are:

• NBC Broadcasting
• Universal Television
• Universal Animation Studios 
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment 
• Illumination Entertainment
• USA Network
• Universal HD

2) NBC Universal's media interests:

• Cable Television
• Digital Television 
• Broadcasting - NBC News
• Film

Opening sequence analysis linked to my film

Snatch:

Narrative function: Montage sequence that introduces each character.
Conventions displayed: Bold font, conveying the characters; there is also a continuity with the font, yet not with the coloured background. Title displayed fairly quickly, upon a diamond; which the audience know has been stolen, suggests genre.
Characters introduced: All main protagonists are introduced and the type of character they are; also their character name.
Cinematography: Colours used suggests genre as they are fairly basic, yet bold.
Camera/editing: Camera tracks the diamond as it is passed around, then the money, etc... . Ends back with the diamond in the mans hand; where it started. Editing is tight and cuts between each character smoothly.

Reservoir dogs:

Narrative function: Starts off with a narrative by a very monotone man; matches atmosphere. The narrative though quickly turns into a music, which narrates until the end.
Conventions displayed: Yellow font which is used throughout; so this is good continuity. Title introduced after the actors have been introduced. Title rises from the bottom of the screen and is placed at the top, above the characters.
Characters introduced: A large group of men in suits; represents power or authority.
Cinematography: Colours are bright, in contrast to the atmosphere.
Camera/editing: Camera tracks the men in slow motion down the road. Cuts from them leaving the bar; which is dark, to a dark screen to the characters outside in the bright sunshine; contrasts earlier scenes.

Godfather:

Narrative function: No dialogue just music; which is easily recognisable to the the film genre.
Conventions displayed: Gun shots and blood appears on screen in every scene; conveys the genre. Images of objects associated with Italian-American gangsters. Red used to signify death and evil; portrays genre.
Characters introduced: The three main protagonists (The Godfather, Al Pacino's character and Diane Keaton's character). No names for the characters, just the actors/actresses names.
Cinematography: Colours of red suggests death and evilness; conveys genre. Black and white background stands out; could suggest good vs evil.
Camera/editing: Smooth editing between each shot, gun shot and blood on screen depicts genre.

Opening credit sequence analysis

Skyfall:

The credits start as the theme song begins, and start with the production companies. Then the actors and actresses names are conveyed in order of importance; hence Daniel Craig first as he is James Bond. Yet after Daniel Craig is introduced as James Bond, the title of the film is smoothly follows before the rest of the actors/actresses. This signifies the importance of Daniel Craig's character. Also Judy Dench is introduced as "M", this also conveys her importance in the film. The co-producers follow, along with the sound recordists and the script writers. More behind the scenes staff follow this, such as the costume designers and editors. Nearer the end the theme song is introduced and the singer and songwriter are also introduced. Moreover the writers and more importantly the director, Sam Mendes, feature last.

Superbad:

The opening credits start with the production companies, Columbia Pictures and Apatow. This is quickly followed by the title of the film 'Superbad'. This occurs before the names of the actors and actresses, unlike the Skyfall opening. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are the first names to appear, as they play the two main characters in the film. The other actors such as Seth Rogan and Bill Hader, then follow as they play less important roles, than Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. At the end of the names of actors and actresses, Christopher Mintz-Plasse is introduced, as he is making his film debut. Casting, Costume Designer, Co-producer and Music then follow. More behind the scenes staff follow, such as the Editor, Production-designer, Director of Photography, Executive Producers and Producers. Last of all, the writers and directors are introduced; this is also done in Skyfall.  The text also signifies the genre, as the yellow font has connotations of happiness and fun; depicting the genre as comedy.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:

The opening credits start with the production companies, Columbia Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures and Scott Rudin Yellow Bird production. Then the directors name appears, yet he is not formally introduced as the director. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara are introduced first as they play the two main protagonists. The rest of the actors and actresses follow. Yet before, they appear, the title of the film appears, breaking up the more important cast members, and the rest of the cast. The first behind the scenes staff to be introduced are the casting staff, costume designers, co-producers and sound producers. This is very similar, if not the same order, to the 'Superbad' film. More behind the scenes staff follow on, such as, the editors, production designer, director of photography, executive producers and the producers. This is exactly the same as with the 'Superbad' film, which reinforces that this may be the correct order to do it in. As the film follows a book, a title appears making reference to the book and its author and publishers. Next up it's the screenplay writes and finally David Fincher, whom is now formally introduced as the director of the film. The credits are done in a iconic style that can be linked to the genre of thriller and horror, of which the film's genre is.

This conveys how important the titles and credits are as they can depict a film's genre, without having to watch any future nor hear any sound/music.

The Selfish giant case study

From the trailer I can see that the genre is drama, and its purpose is to have an effect on the audience in a way that will make them either feel upset or sympathetic.

Marketing techniques:

Poster:













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The film will be released in many European countries, such as Sweden and France. The film will also be exhibited overseas in the USA and Brazil. Most of these will be at film festivals. Due to this the film opened for release in different countries, due to their festivals. For example the film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival on 16th May 2013, this was the first screening. 

Positive feedback:

 “So hauntingly perfect is Barnard’s film, and so skin-pricklingly alive does it make you feel to watch it, that at first you can hardly believe the sum of what you have seen: the astonishingly strong performances from her two young, untutored leads; Barnard’s layered script; Mike Eley’s snow-crisp cinematography that makes the streets of Bradford shine…

“Like Ken Loach’s Kes, the film knells with myth: we get a keen sense of an older, purer England buried somewhere underneath all this junk, from the early wide shots of horses in meadows, idling belly-deep in morning mist, to the extraordinary, almost wordless final sequence that hints at redemption and reincarnation.” — Robbie Collin, Telegraph

“Barnard’s storytelling is heartfelt and passionate, fluent and supremely confident and this is a heart-wrenching movie with some stunning set pieces… This is a fine film.” — Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

The film is one of a low budget.

The main distributors for the film are: Cinéart, Pyramide Distribution, Sundance Selects, Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Rialto Distribution. 

It has been named the Best European film. It was awarded the Europa Cinemas Best European Film in the Directors' film section.

The general census by UK newspapers is that it is a must-see and is highly tipped to be a masterpiece. It has been nominated for several awards across, not only Europe, but Australasia and America.   

Production, Distribution and Exhibition

Production: Production refers to the stages that need to be completed in order to create the finished product. This also refers to any type of media production, e.g. television or the film industry. The production process is split into three main sections, this includes:

• Pre-production: This includes the planning or storyboard for the media production.
• The Production: This is the actual shooting, filming or recording.
• Post-production: This is the editing and all the other processes that help create the finished product.

Distribution: Distribution refers to getting your film/television show noticed amongst the public. This means trying to ensure as many people go and see the film/television show as possible. Distributers for films, for example, will try and ensure cinema screenings and create a buzz around the film. Each film/television programme has its own budget. The better funded the film/television programme, the more money can be spent on distributing methods, such as posters or interviews on radio or TV.  This is why big Hollywood film companies are able to attract big audiences rather than independent companies.  

Exhibition: Exhibition is the retail branch of the film industry, and refers to the screening of the film. The job of the exhibiter is to sell the experience of the movie to the paying customers. They have the job of promoting and presenting the film and have a big influence on box-office success, also the reception of the film. Therefore they try and ensure big audiences against other films, whom are competing for their audiences.