Exam questions

• The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice; (how does who owns a media company influence the type of film made and its potential success? For example do BIG companies make BIG films and therefore make all the money? Is it possible for small companies to succeed?) An example of a big company that make one genre of film is Marvel, they only make films of superheroes as this is what they have done from the start of Marvel being created. Big films companies do make big films which bring in lots of money, although some films will not do very well, such as Universal Pictures created the film 'Howard the Duck' which brought in less 50% of their budget for the film. Also an example of a small film company that made a big film is See-Saw Films and Bedlam Productions who both co-produced the film The King's Speech, which had a small budget yet had a huge gross profit.
• The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing; (how do companies work together to produce, distribute and publicize a film? How can Disney use their size to promote and publicise a film? How can small companies work together to promote their business' when making and promoting a film?)
• The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange; (how has the introduction of digital film, 3D, DVD, Blue Ray, internet streaming, downloadable content, home cinema influenced the types of films made, the way we watch them and the way we 'buy' them?) It has changed the way film companies make films as digital film, 3D, and Blue Ray have allowed films to be made in better quality so that people who watch the film have a good experience whilst watching. Internet streaming, downloadable content, and home cinema have allowed film companies to have their films watched easier as it is all available on the internet, these allow the viewer to watch films in the comfort of their own home instead of going to a cinema to watch them. Due to all of the above people can now buy and rent films form their houses, as they can have them delivered or have them straight onto their TV.
• The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences; (how and why have film companies had to alter the way they work now everyone has web enabled phones, PC's, consoles etc? How have audiences changed their viewing habits now we no longer need to go to the cinema to watch a film) Film companies have made it easier to view films on phones, PS's, consoles etc as these are the devices that are easily accessible for a lot of people, this means no trips to the cinema which in the end reduces the carbon footprint as less cars are travelling there. Now that films are accessible on multiple types of devices it makes it easier to pick them up or turn them on and play a film, as they do not have to travel to a cinema to see a film. 
• The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences; (can you think of examples of how different technologies have come together to help the film industry?) New cameras have made the quality of the films better as they are becoming more accessible to smaller film companies, the use of surround sound is used in every cinema as it creates a better viewing experience for the audience.
• The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions; (how do film companies try and attract their audience? Do they do different things in different countries?) Film companies will release a trailer of a film to try and get people interested in the film, this will happen as the companies will show some of the best looking or funniest bits of the film to show people what is in the rest of the film. Marvel for example announce a film during Comic-con as the majority of people there are into comics so it appeals to Marvels target audience.
• The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour. (what is your opinion on the above? Do you see the developments as a good or bad thing?) I believe that the developments in technology is a good thing at then it gives the film companies that might not have as big of a budget a chance to create a good quality film, also the fact that you can get films on many different devices has had a huge impact on the amount of films watched as they are available by the press of a button. It is also good that smaller companies can join together or join with a bigger company to create a film as this means that the smaller companies have the chance to create a film that could get a large gross profit.