quiz 10

18-49 demographic

-most sought out for demographic!!! -they are likely to have more money and have brand fluidity (will change the products they use) 2017-2018 season, 18-49 demo, top 10 scripted shows on broadcasted 1. Roseanne 2. This is Us 3. The Walking Dead 4. Big Bang Theory 5. The good Doctor 6. Young Sheldon 7. Greys 8. 9-1-1 9. modern family 10. Will and Grace -HAVE COMMONALITIES- a lot of work place drama (good doctor, 9-1-1, greys) and sitcoms about relationships (big bang theory, young sheldon, modern family)

A Picture vs. B Picture

A picture: a feature film with a large budget and prestigious source material or actors that has been historically promoted as a main attraction receiving top billing B picture: a low budget non-prestigious movie that usually played on the bottom half of a double bill

trailer

form of promotional advertising that previews edited images and scenes from a film in theaters before the main feature of a film, in TV commercials, or on websites. A few minutes, provides compact series of reasons that a viewer should see a movie

extended black belt

places with large black populations, esp southeast reality shows based on relationships- Housewives of Atlanta, The Kardashians, Bad Girls Club shows with black leads- Empire, Scandal, Love and Hip Hop

media corporation and profit

-mass media primarily organized as corporations -telecom act 1996- deregulated media. before this, government limited number of radio stations one corporation could own to fewer than 50 Profit: the difference between revenues taken in by the corporation and the costs it takes to produce a product or service ex. newspaper revenue money from street sales/ subscriptions or what advertisers pay. They pay costs of salaries, buildings to work in, computers, delivery trucks, etc. hope that they are less than revenue to make profit -No corporation can lose money too long or it will be sold or go out of business -corporations choose to maximize profits. TOUCHSTONE OF MARKET ECONOMY. rather than seek what is best for community. society benefits are put second. -some non-media outlets, like universities or non-profits. or funded by government like NPR

branding

-develop distinct image for entire product line, ensuring the firm's identity or logo becomes synonymous with quality -firm becomes dominant be distinguishing itself from others ex. no one knows what ABC actually stands for. The brand is so well known though, by saying ABC's The Bachelor, etc. helps -companies try to be first in market to establish brand corporationsm

the big five

1. NBC Universal 2. 21st Century Fox 3. Disney 4. Time Warner 5. National Amusements- (CBS/ Viacom)

word of mouth, websites, fan engagement

Word of mouth- exchange of opinions and information sometimes referred to "buzz" around movie. May seem to be insignificant promotion, but likes and dislikes are formed and given direction by the social groups we move in -Social networking sites allow us indicate our likes/ dislikes to social groups -viewers communicate with one another and recommend films to people who share their values and tastes -fanzines- fan magazines 1910s and 1920s, early form of word of mouth for movie promotion, brought film culture home -evolved to online groups, etc. Websites- often set up by film's distributor have become most powerful contemporary form of fanzine- information about and enthusiasm for a movie to be efficiently exchanged and spread among potential viewers

target audience

viewers whom producers feel are most likely to want to see a particular film -control distribution to determine quality and importance of audience

media corporations performance norms Protecting and maintaining cultural quality

-maintain cultural quality and promote diverse opinion -Raises question whether companies that depend on advertising-generate revenue can develop quality program and if government should force them to raise standards -when government tries to intervene, messes with first ammendment

how are studios using demographics?

US market trying to appeal for -Latinos -25-39 demo trying to increase abroad appeal -chinese viewers (largest population outside US)

Blockbuster vs. Art Film

blockbuster: a big-budget film intended for wide release, whose large investments in stars, special effects, and advertising attracts large audiences and big profits. Prepares us for action, stars, special effects art film: produced primarily for aesthetic rather than commercial or entertainment purposes. More visually subtle, slower pace, more intellectually demanding

first copy costs and variable costs in monopoly

first copy (fixed) costs: needed for any level of production. Include machinery, building, sales staff salaries, costs with printing. variable costs: change as levels of production change, need for more or fewer reporters -As a monopoly, single owner can choose to limit variable costs, like limiting coverage or fewer reporters

the rating system

provides viewers with guidelines for movies (usually based on violence, sex, etc.). form of advertising and promotion. About trying to control the kind of audience that sees a film and to a certain extent about advertising the content of that film MPAA (Motion picture Association of America) -G general -PG parental guidance -PG-13 -R -NC 17

ancillary markets

new technologies and TV for watching movies- DVD, blue ray, Video On Demand VOD, etc. more revenues generated towards this now than by its initial release

timing of exhibition

-Timing of exhibition is a more personal dimension of movie experience. When and how long we watch a film can shape how it affects us and our attitude toward it -audience watch movies according to rituals in various time slots -Matinees, midnight movies, in-flight movies

benefits of transmedia franchise

-increase profits for conglomerates -can cross-market, pull people in from other texts, after a first text has been "pre-sold" to audience that is already engaged in franchise they are more likely to see next thing -allow content creators to further express creativity -huge budgets -contributed to our shared culture -meet someone new, can talk about it -provide fans with more content to engage with

screenwriters

screenwriter: individual who generates idea for narrative film, original concept or adapted from another source screenplay (or script): texts from which movie is made, including dialogue and info about actions, settings, shots, transitions. evolve as production continues script doctor: may be called to do rewrites, even with finished and approved scripts -drama in process of screenwriting, disagreemenets

Stan Lee

RIP -marvel comics editor, writer, publisher, chairman -his saying was "excel here" had cameo in every marvel movie

media franchise

a collection of media texts where in one text spawns several derivative works throughout production, licensing, or purchasing of intellectual property. -tells stories that enlarge the same universe

US demographics categories for media research (broad and TV based)

age -18-49 -12-17 -18-24 -25-34 -34-49 -50-64 -65+ gender socio-economic status -more affluent- can buy more things, more attractive to advertisers -less affluent race and ethnicity -white -black -hispanic -asian region

distribution

completed films reach audiences. films are provided venues in which public can see them- theaters, broadcast and cable TV, internet streaming, video on demand Many worthy films never find distributor, never seen

keep in mind.. (different jobs)

studios: create content networks: acquire and air content cable providers: bundle network channels for subscribers OTT services: acquire and broadcast content to subscribers

Institutional Economic Model

-mass media are large and complicated cultural and political institutions Do not simply make shows, they make culture that define and represent major values of society and democracy. -Economic behavior and cultural actions are intertwined

TV management larger roles

-producers: oversee large aspects- pitching shows to networks, financing -directors: similar to film directors, but get TV ones get a lot less creative control. primary manager of each step of production. many directors will only direct a few episodes of a series

world sharing TV worlds, built to be shared

HYPERDIEGESIS -in TV story world, we only see part of a story. that is why it works so well. we want to know what the rest of the story is -What we see in TV show is only 10% of the story world. Ex. watching a show, see a few characters and a few locations. Might think to yourself where the other characters are. Do not need to see character to assume they are off doing other stuff. Can infer other 90% of story are taking place.

post-production

occurs after principal photography has been completed, usually consisting of editing, sound, and visual effects of work

spiderman

-The Andrew Garfield one is a reboot from Sony. NOT PART OF MARVEL EXTENDED UNIVERSE, since they are made by sony -Marvel made deal with Sony that allows Spider to be in Marvel movies, but not TV. Sony co-produces movie spin-offs with Marvel

most common type of economic structures

monopoly: dominated by single company oligopoly: dominated by a few, usually 4-7, big corporations Competition- many companies vying in the marketplace -most media structure today is oligopoly local/ regional monopolies exist- one cable company or newspaper

special effects, visual effects, green screen, motion-capture

special effects: techniques that enhance a film's realism or surpass assumptions of realism with spectacle. some prepared in pre-production (like building futuristic cities) or during production (special camera filters) or created on set visual effects: imagery combined with ive action footage by teams of computer technicians and artists. now computer technicians have boundless capabilities green screen technology: actors perform in front of plain green background, put other image with technology Motion-capture technology: transfers the actors' physical movements to CGI- computer generated-technology

marvel extended universe- including everything

First text: Iron Man (2008) Franchise texts: other MCU films, short films transmedia texts: MEU TV shows, digital shorts and theories, newer MEU comics paratexts: marketing and promotion, toys, physical and digital games, soundtracks

distributors

a company or agency that acquires the rights to a movie from the filmmakers or producers (sometimes by contributing to costs) and makes movie more available to audiences by renting, selling or licensing it to theaters top grossing distributors: Walt Disney, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Sony Picturse -what is produced depends on what Hollywood assume will be successful

What does it *mean* for a set of texts to be a transmedia franchise?

-product identity -Singular authorship vs. shared franchise authorship Idea that there is no singular authorship, need to pay attention to singular demand -world-sharing vs. world-building When you make the first film in a franchise, you do a lot of world building. Need to build up world for people watching it-setting, politics, characters, etc. outside the franchise, each film has to do this itself. But in a franchise, you are sharing that world- the characters, etc. are already there.

media corporations performance norms Not wasting resources

-should be efficient as possible -monopolies waste resources to maintain power, allows them to set prices of own products ex. excessive salaries and advertisements

media corporations performance norms promoting technology

-should bring new technology as quickly into marketplace as possible -monopolies often resist innovation ex. why newspaper had such a hard time, could not innovate to new ideas like craigs list

Transmedia franchise- why now?

Brewing since 1980s, not many until then -started with Teenage Mutant Nina Turtle, for kids. started with young people so they are primed to accept these ways as they grow older World economy phasing into global capitalism with multinational conglomerates -corporations become more multinational, more money, more buying smaller studios

advertising

central form of promotion that uses TV, billboards, film trailers or previews, print ads, images and videos on websites of display bring a film to the attention of a potential audience -Often emphasizes connections with and differences from related or similar films or highlights presence of particular popularity of actor or director

Why do we care about demographics (US)?

-show appeal/ target audience -advertising: how TV makes money. if you appeal to more advertisers, your network can charge more for ad slots, and you can put more money to production

film production

A multi-layered activity in which industry, art, technology, and imagination intertwine -describes the different stages- financing, script, final edit, etc. -each step of film making -anticipates audience and their response

marvel extended universe transmedia franchise

Production companies: Walt Disney, and the profit center Marvel broadcast and cable TV: use it to advertise. ABC, Lifetime, Freeform. all owned by disney. in house!! mobile, digital, video games: Disney Interactives, Disney Mobile streaming: Disney, Hulu toys/ figures: Disney store, also partnered with Funko theme park attractions: Disneyland ALL KEPT IN HOUSE

rural- towns

-reality shows focused on working-class lives- 16 and pregnant, Duck Dynasty, Pawn Stars -supernatural dramas- The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries -crime dramas- NCIS, PLL, Criminal Minds

FAQ about transmedia franchises

how do you determine what the first text is/ what the comics or books that a film might be based on? How do reboots and remakes fit in? -THEY DON'T. they are their own franchise

law and order media franchise

-the first text- Law and Order, NBC everything after this is derivative work -Film- Exiled: A Law and Order Movie -TV series- Special Victims Unit, Criminal Intent, Trial by Jury, Los Angeles, True Crime, Hate Crimes -Video games- Dead on the Money, Episode 2: Double or Nothing, Justice is Served, Criminal Intent

free-market economics

-corporations offer wide array of choices. media products that consumers want will rise to the top while inferior products (and companies) will fail. assumes that mass media companies cannot force people to do anything Ex. may say that no one was forced to see the movie Avatar -consumers had choice to be doing other things, chose to see that movie Does not acknowledge that product diversity will often come from the same mass media conglomerate ex. May choose to watch a reality show, or CNN, etc. but choices all emerge from decisions made by corporate managers

Demographics also important for an film- they are not the same

-film appeal/ target audience -less about advertising, does not contribute a lot of budget to film -production funding- need to go to people to get money, convince them to invest in film -distribution: process of distributing media to viewers. how will they watch it? streaming? theaters? Different groups of people will watch in different ways

Urban- cities, not rural

-game of thrones -orange is the new black -adult animated shows- Family Guy, South Park, Adventure Time -liberal comedy shows- SNL, The Daily Show, Tosh.0

Network considerations (when pitching to them)

-network identity- what the network is known for- the kinds of programming, what it is famous for -network demographics- sort of audience that network generally attracts or is trying to attract Ex. Spike was first "network for men" then changed it to "paramount network"- they want men to watch their channel ex. Lifetime "tv for women"

cinematographer and other on-set personnel

Film scenes shot out of order and in a variety of scales. In bits and pieces. Some actors prepare technical performance, others more spontaneous Cinematographer: also known as director of photography DP- selects the cameras, film stock, lighting, and lenses. Also camera set up and position. Determines how action will be shot and exposure for prints (with director) Camera operator: overseen by cinematographer, physically manipulates the camera Production sound mixer: sound engineer on the production set Grips: install lighting for shots and dollies for camera support hair and make-up artists dailies: footage shot that day, director reviews selects: directs begins to choose takes for editing

considerations for producers

-Why people start watching a show -where to "shop" for a show

where to shop a show types of TV networks

-broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, etc. supposed to be available for wide audience- families can watch, not too risky -More series order on broadcast in "stack" are 22 episodes per season -basic cable networks: AMC, FX. some swearing but still limited -Most stack 22, but can do short stack- 7-12 episodes -More affluent audience since need to pay for it -premium cable networks: must pay to add to cable. Showtime, HBO, Starz, etc. must less censorship -shorter stacks 11-15 -even more affluent -OTT services Over the Top- over the top of middleman- Amazon, Netflix, Hulu -Most tend to put out stacks in 13

pre-production

-film project in development- preparing script, financing project, casting, hiring crew, scouting locations -raise funds, secure rights, assemble crew, decide cast, etc. Narrative filmmaking (scripted films): efforts of screenwriter, producer, director combine to conceive and refine ideas -documentary filmmakers may do research

Marxist Analysis

-quality of social life is determined by economic conditions -Legitimizes power of ruling structure in society, dominates the ideas in society. increasing with giant corporations taking over -view collection of media corporations as classic example of monopolistic capitalism in which the economic control over media production determines type of media any society gets -Many critics do not analyze full complexities of media, simply assume they possess negative characteristics of capitalism, how they devise ways to maintain their power Ex. saw Titanic, made by 20th Century Fox and Paramount as working together to exploit product to maximize profits, not caring about cultural expectations -media companies maintain powers while revealing little to consumers about production process

corporate competition

-rare!!! -so many companies, each is small, constant changing of choice -two real ones in US: magazines and internet. Range of magazines published and range of topics on internet. Consumers have real choice -companies that run magazines are much smaller. also cost a lot less than making newspaper, need less writers, etc. -magazines and internet can advertise directly to consumers. smaller niche audiences. Serve need to advertisers who want to reach defined audience interested in specific products and services. Individual voices can be easily accessed -internet offers streaming, interactivity, cheap of anyone to join. -Real media economics not represented by this competitive model, even if citizens might prefer it for democracy -INTERNET AND MAGAZINES ARE THE EXCEPTIONS

media monopolies MSO

-true media monopolies are rare!!! -single daily newspaper is example -Limit consumer choice, do not have alternatives of news -Choices may skew to the well-off because advertisers want to reach them -diversity of coverage in them has decreased (because of money) -may be bought or owned by larger company, attracted to owning a profitable monopoly without interest in serving community -cable TV providers and media monopoly less supportive to democratic ideals Multiple system operator MSO: local monopoly corporations are collected under one large corporate umbrella. Can have single accounting department, repair division, etc. spreading these and other fixed costs to gain higher profits. Illusion of multiple operations mask truth of single owner, who makes billion a year ex. Why Comcast, largest MSO in US could take over

Media Oligopolies

Consolidation and concentration of media companies into mega corporations. HOW MASS MEDIA TODAY IS RUN -The three major longtime US tv networks- NBC, ABC, CBS -The six Hollywood companies- Disney, Time Warner, Sony, NBC Universal, 20th century Fox, Viacom/ Paramount -When the companies cooperate, they can act like monopolies, working together to lobby for positive governmental policies toward their industry. Work together to block out threat from outside Ex. the 5 major corporations that control music business work together to keep CD prices inflated -seek and agree on an informal set of rules for "competition" (ex. Controlling price of music downloads) restricting the game of profit maximization to themselves -members operate in reaction to one another, like poker. if they see them airing some kinds of shows, they will experiment and air themselves -hollywood oligopoly very tight- work together with MPAA on ratings, distributions, etc. becomes like a monopoly MPAA and Big Six executives can preach to government officials that they have competition and thus do not break any antitrust laws -Claim that oligopolistic "competition" is not capable of serving both business's bottom line and democracy's ideals is problematic. We need regulations that offer them incentives to act for benefit of democracy mix constantly in flux- mergers, break-ups, over-leveraged corporations make the news

Media Oligopolies media conglomerate vertical integration horizontal integration

Media conglomerate: media corporation that holds number of related media businesses. Must be diverse vertically and horizontally Vertical integration: company owns the production, distribution, public presentation of product. Ex. Time warner makes a movie, distributes it to theaters, then later shows it on owned cable networks- HBO Horizontal integration: conglomerate owns one kind of product or service in multiple markets. can own magazine, radio, TV, book. Ex. Disney-Owns and operates famous movie studio, set of theme parks, owns abc, espn, books and magazines -so diverse, difficult for competitors to enter

how do paratexts relate?

paratexts: the materials surrounding a media text, but substantially contributing to the story telling -advertising -news and reviews -merchandising -fan contribution

evolution of feature film

From 1911-1915, filmmakers struggle to convince studios to allow them to expand length of movie from 15 min to over 100 min. D. W. Griffith persisted and continued to stretch length of films, insisting that new distribution and exhibition pattern would create and attract new audiences -His three hour movie Birth of a Nation in 1915, was a major cultural event Feature film: longer narrative movie that is primary attraction for audiences -after 1915, most movies 90-120 min distribution patterns: whether movie is available everywhere for everyone at same time, released during holiday season, only available on internet sites- brings expectations that a particular film either fulfills or frustrates

what is a transmedia franchise?

-story telling across multiple texts -that range across multiple media -And are owned and/or created to profit generally the same owner of the intellectual property/ brand/ trademark

two kinds of media franchising

Inter-industrial franchising: transmedia extension of content, means it is in more than one media. may start as video game, then is film Intra-industrial franchising: Single-medium or single-industry production, Like a TV series that is only on TV -not all franchises are transmedia -not all transmedia are franchises Ex. reading someone's writing, watching video, looking at display. This is transmedia but not franchise

Distribution timing

distribution timing: when a movie is released for public viewing in certain locations or on certain platforms. Timing can take advantage of the social atmosphere, cultural connotations, or critical scrutiny associated with particular seasons and calendar periods Ex. summer season and december holidays most important in US, people have most time Ex. Pearl Harbor released on memorial day, attracts sentiments that Americans have of WW2 -film industries calculate releases before Oscars -Mistiming of films can be huge problem. Like if three cartoon children movies come out at same time. Many time it to avoid conflict

lessons

-TV is a business AND a medium for creative content -someone has to want to pay you for content -producing decisions can have huge effect on show

fans and fandom

-Transmedia franchises have high value to fans, in part because of their expansive nature -more to nerd over -Extended stories give fans plenty of material to work with -World-sharing leaves plenty of gaps for fans to fill

media corporations performance norms Facilitating free speech and political discussion

-democracy needs freedom of expression to make it work. media should be open to promote debate from all points of view -debate over government intervention vs. needs of profit maximizing company Ex. ongoing loss of traditional reporting jobs led to debates over possible need of government support subsidizing journalism. Good journalism is a requirement for healthy democracy -Free debate for all would limit institutions' ability to maximize profits ex. a public debate on TV is risking profit for democracy

media corporations performance norms Facilitating public order

-public order- especially with regard to war, violence, and crime -News media often report on crime and violence that threatens communities -war is tricky. government often withholds information from media corporations for national security. put citizens needs for information second. government will often bribe media not to publish things Ex. Bush administration criticized NY times

TV management marketing and distribution

distribution executives: secure distribution for TV series. first time episodes are shown and which network. also reruns promotion, marketing, branding: who wants to watch our show and how do we reach them? What channels do we reach them through? What markets most appealing? digital initiatives: channel specific apps (ABC go, CBS all access), viral marketing for show

blended media economy

-Comcast bought rest of NBC Universal in 2013 for $16.7 billion. Comcast earns bulk of revenue from the TV, internet, phone services -fewer powerful companies control the distribution of information on TV network, where most Americans get news -Negative news concerning a company's holdings may not get reported -cable media getting more and more expensive for consumers to acquite

TV management pre-production

-development executives: work for studio, try to find good screenwriters, develop their content. look for new original content to shape -Negotiation and acquisitions: looking for content that was already made that you can negotiate for and acquire. More likely to be working at a network or streaming service

TV management Day to day detail roles

-engineering managers: works with equipment and crew. scheduling and managing them. gives producers budgets they want -news managers: manage planning, production, and presentation of news

release strategies

block booking: during heyday of Hollywood studio system, studios either showed films in own theater chains or sold them to theaters in packages - Outlawed in 1948 US v. Paramount decision, divorced studios from their theater chains and required films to be sold individually Premiere: typically kicks off distribution strategy, redcarpet event celebrating opening night of movie, attended by stars, attracts press first-run theaters: films initial opening in limited number of theaters that show recently released movies Wild release: opening in hundreds of theaters simultaneously. First introduced by Steven Spielberg's Jaws in 1975 Saturation booking (release): film with mass circulation, since wild release, is screened in as many locations possible in US (and increasingly abroad) as soon as possible Usually promises audiences a film that is easy to understand and appeals to most tastes Limited release: may distributed to only major cities, then expand its distribution, depending on film's initial success. Audience expectations generally less fixed than wild released. Platforming: releasing a film in gradually widening markets and theaters so that it slowly builds momentum through reviews and word of mouth. Expanding a release depends on box-office performance- if a film does well opening weekend, it will open to more screens Exclusive release: premiering in only one or two locations, usually a privileged event

casting directors, agents, package-unit approach

casting director: identifying actors who would work best in particular scripted roles agents: represent actors, directors, writers, other major individuals in film production. Negotiate with writers, casting directors, and producers and enlist different personnel for movie Package-unit approach: the agent, producer, and casting director determine a script, stars, and other major personnel as key first step in major production. demises the traditional studio system -By mid 1970s, so-called super agents would sometimes predetermine a package of stars and other personnel from which the film must be constructed

media convergence and viral marketing

media convergence: process by which formerly distinct media (such as cinema, TV, internet, video games) and viewing platforms (TV, computers, cell phones) become interdependent ex. Viewer might play online game set in fictional world of film's website, or read comic book tie-in -movies spend a lot on branding in other media like games etc. viral marketing: process of advertising that relies on existing social networks to spread a marketing message by word of mouth, electronic messaging, or other means

The changing contexts and practices of film exhibition Nickelodeons movie palaces multiplex

nickelodeons: early 20th century, storefront theaters or arcade spaces where short films were shown continuously for a five-cent admission price to audiences passing in and out, or in carnival settings that assumed movies were a passing amusement movie palaces: by 1920s, exhibition of films in lavish palaces like Radio City Music Hall, with seating for thousands, crazy architecture. Lost crowds here by 1950s with drive in movies, TV, etc. -1980s- people watching at home, whenever they wanted with VCRS multiplex: movie theater complex with many screens, integrate choice of movie going experience with mall Today- commonly watch movies on our computers or phones -Theaters continue to compete with home experiences- now they offer arcades, restaurants, etc. home exhibition has responded with more elaborate digital picture and technologies

studio system

the industrial practices of large production companies responsible for filmmaking in Hollywood or other national film industries -Hollywood studio era from 1920s to 1950s -MGM and others, producers controlled all stages of production assembly-line process for moviemaking; major film studios controlled not only actors but also directors, editors, writers, and other employees, all of whom worked under exclusive contracts -Since the rise of independent film movement in 1990s, independent producers have worked to facilitate creative freedom of writer and director, arranging the financing for film and seeing film through casting, hiring, shooting, post production, and distribution

industrial economics

-examine how economic forces determine what corporations own, how they operate, and how they control storytelling -Economies of scale: spreading costs over many outlets, reducing price of single unit or product ex. typical US TV network produce programs that air on 200 plus affiliated stations, spreading costs around -Argument that media conglomerates (like Time Warner and Disney) can cross-subsidize. extracting profits from one thriving area to prop up another less financially successful area. ex. Their film divisions might have a good year that offsets poor performance in music or publishing divisions in same time frame. -WHY SINGLE LINE CORPORATIONS ARE LESS POPULAR -Corporations- vertically integrate- process where Time Warner and Disney etc. make movies and after they are in theaters run them on their channels "selling them" to themselves. cut middle agent costs

generating interest marketing and promotion

Film marketing: identifies an audience for a specific product (movie) and brings the product to its attention for consumption so that buyers will watch the product Film promotion: when the audiences are exposed to and encouraged to see a particular film. Includes advertisements, trailers, publicity appearances, product tie-ins -newspaper ads, previews before feature films, trailers on internet, stars make public appearances, reviews from early screenings Star system: most pervasive potent component of the marketing and promotion of movies. One or more well known actors who are popular in specific time and culture act as advertising vehicle for movie. The goal is to create specific expectations that will drawn audience to a film ex. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in indie movie, creates large audience Tie-ins: ancillary products (soundtracks, toys, other gimmicks in stores/ restaurants) that advertise and promote movie. Ex. Minion movie had toys everywhere -promotions often exploit new technologies, like emphasizing 3-D -Some promotions take advantage of current political events, like Zero Dark Thirty which told story of Osama Bin Laden -stars can also bring unofficial publicity to the film, like when two stars start dating during it -can be negative, like if they get into legal trouble -Independent films have less access to mechanisms of promotion, social media has offered opportunities to spread word to audiences.

Home video, VOD, and Internet Distributions

Piracy: unauthorized duplication and circulation of copyrighted material, one of most significant challenges distributors have. Despite anti-copying software, circulation of pirated films can be wide-spread Video store was significant site of film culture before shift to subscriber and on demand services. Some films were distributed in certain cities and excluded from others, because selection in rental stores was based on market perspective on local audiences and tastes of individual properties -dominant chains like block-buster had family-friendly, films. independent ones had X-rated ones consequences for video distribution- 1. can control and direct local responses and expectations. We see and learn to expect only certain kinds of movies, like when the store has many copies of one movie and only one of another 2. The sociological and cultural formations of film distribution. Stores become part of social fabric of neighborhood. Viewers are consumers, stores become forums where interests of community can determine which films are distributed -Innovation in distribution of TV, like mailing Netflix, most responsible for decline of local video stores -change with high speed internet, more stealing content

Theatrical release window and day-and-date release

Theatrical release window: the period of time before its availability on home video, demand, or TV platforms, during which it places in movie theaters, has traditionally been about 3-6 months to guarantee box office revenue day-and-date release: refers to simultaneous- release strategy across different media and venues, such as a theatrical release and VOD availability. Now routine for smaller distributors. May go further in the future

media franchise, corporate view

a coordinate system in which multiple profit centers within a conglomerate work under a shared brand name Conglomerate: a group of companies engaged in different business pursuits under one parent company, increasingly multi-national Ex. Disney operates across world profit center: a subsidiary of a business that is treated as separate for financial purposes, while profiting the main business ex. Marvel Studios is a profit center of disney. Disney can give them some money to start, then Marvel can give them some of their profit. If Marvel does not make money, it will not hurt Disney, because it is part of their budget Brand name: ex. Marvel, Disney. A recognizable name used to brand product

Direct and indirect revenue streams

direct revenue: consumers pay directly for some products and services. going to a movie, buying a book, etc. indirect revenue: the consumer doesn't pay for the media product. Instead, other companies pay to reach the consumer by advertising in a publication, or through broadcast or online content. As a result, the advertiser -- not the consumer -- becomes the media company's client. -advertisers prefer audiences that will buy their products. often exclude more of the population by targeting consumers who can buy their products -End up with ads geared towards high income white men, see less news coverage of poverty, few sitcoms about working class families

Movie exhibition: the where, when, and how of movie experiences exhibition reception exhibitors

exhibition: part of industry that shows films to a playing public, usually movie theaters. May involve promotional elements like movie posters and publicity events in theater lobby Reception: the process through which individual viewers or groups make sense of film is at heart of film experience, closely tied to exhibition Exhibitors: own individual theaters or theater chains, make decisions about programming local promotion. Responsible for actual experience of moviegoing, including concessions that make it different from watching movie at home -how we watch movies contributes to how we interpret them!!

Locations, production design, sets and costumes

location scouts: determine and secure places that provide most suitable environment for shooting films. to fit requirement of scripts. Many films rely on constructed sets that recreate a specific place, but desire for realism often results in using actual location -recent decade- a lot of re-creating of environments through computer technology production designer: determine film's overall look art director: responsible for supervising the conception and construction of physical environment- sets, locations, props, costumes. set decorators complete the details ex. Argo- in historical films, put artwork from that history in background costume designer: plan and prepare how actors will be dressed as their characters. Greatly expanded in 1930s. Ensure suitability and historical accuracy of characters' appearances

financing film- different expenses, production values

Above-the-line expenses: initial costs of contracting the major personnel (directors and stars) and administrative and organizational expenses, setting up the film Below-the-line expenses: technical and material costs (costumes, sets, transportation) involved in actually making film -production values shape viewers opinion. higher value- expect more spectactular and professionally made Studios and producers typically have worked with banks or large financial institutions to acquire financing -"bankable" indicating film has necessary ingredients like big star or director to put money into -rise of individual films in 90s new strategy- instead of relying on single source like banks, financed by individual groups or investors. must appeal to investors

multiple releases

Movies sometimes follow a first release or first run with a second release or second run. The -first- a movie's premiere engagement, -second- the redistribution of that film months or years later Ex. Blade Runner first release in 1982, reappearance in 1992 with director's cut -financial reward primary goal. -can lend new life to movie, reclaim viewers -When small movie achieves unexpected popular success or major award, can be redistributed to wider distribution

director

director: chief creative presence or primary manager of film production/ responsible for and overseeing virtually all work of making movie- guiding factors, determining position of camera, selecting which images appear in finished film - can assume multiple roles, some may also be actor or producer Auteurs: directors who were considered "authors" of films in which they express their individual vision or experiences -especially during studio era in hollywood, their vision were seen as "house style" could recognize movie based on signature style -Idea that vision of director is supported by the producer and made manifest in every aspect of film. audiences often look to see who director is for approval

leisure time and productive time w/ shows and movies

leisure time -Traditionally emphasized film exhibition as leisure time, assumed to be less productive than time spent working, reinforces that movies are associated with pleasure -modern society aims to separate work and leisure, movies part of that productive time -Time used to gain information, material advantage, or knowledge -like movies shown in school or at art musuems -ex. can gain "human value" from watching Holocaust movie -Classroom, library, etc. exhibitions tend to emphasize understanding and learning as enjoyment. These settings they tend to watch differently- maybe more carefully or take notes

agents of SHIELD- why people start watching

"Pilot"- Sept 24 2013 Trailer -the cast- they are diverse -the genre- sci-fi, danger. a "procedural" show- new case every week -MCU connection- people recently watch Iron Man 3, want to see more -Whedon appeal (the director)

US Media conglomerates

-1983- 50 companies owned 90% of US media -2018- 5 companies own 90% of US media -Go from a wide variety of opinions, points of view, to 5. Kinds of media is becoming less diverse, the top 5 want to keep making a lot of money -2019- 4 companies will own 90% of US media.. with Disney/ Fox merger

post-production- editing and sound

editing: the process of selecting and joining film footage and shots into final film with distinctive style and rhythm. Now largely carried out with digital footage and computer based editing -Only fraction of footage that is shot is included in finished filmmaking -picture is "locked" when editing is completed sound editing: combining music, dialogue, and effects tracks to interact with image track. can create noises that directly relate to image (like dog barking) or underpin those images with music (ex. beats during battle) or insert sounds that counterpart meanings sound mixing: all elements of soundtrack- music, effects, dialogue- combined and adjusted to their final levels

producers, line producer, unit production manager

producer: in charge of production and finances. can be fully involved in each step or just with finances. also known as EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -can include filmmakers in other parts of film- director, screenwriter, actor line producer: in charge of daily business of tracking costs and maintaining the production schedule of film unit production manager: responsible for reporting and managing the details of receipts and purchases

TV distribution

-historically movies competed with TV, but as TV became more popular post war, studios realized they could benefit from it -more and more movies made for TV -Direct TV distribution usually aims to reach largest possible audience to increase revenues -some foreign and US independent films available on on demand same day as release to reach specialized audiences -Guaranteed TV distribution can reduce the financial risk for producers and filmmakers, may allow for more experimentation -Premium subscription channels like HBO increasingly produce own films that include riskier subjects -sometimes movie scenes will be cut out on TV, or have to be shown in "wide screen" etc.

production

Production OR principal photography: production itself Film shot: the weeks or months of actual shooting on set or on location -varies a lot by director, now director has to communicate with camera personnel etc. for vision