Tinker, Tailor Working Title StudioCanal How to use the case studies in the exam
Key Terms
Vivendi
•Ownership •Horizontal Integration •Vertical Integration •Synergy •Cross-Media Ownership
Universal
Studio Canal
•Production •Distribution •Institutional Convergence •Parent Company •Sister Company •Conglomerate
Working Title
•Oligopoly
WT2
•Major •Globalisation
Universal
Focus Features
Studio Canal
Kinowelt
Optimum
Key info – StudioCanal • • • •
French Parent = Vivendi Sister = Universal Owns: – Working Title • UK production company • Specialise mid-low budget
– Optimum Releasing • UK distribution company • Specialise mid-low budget Euro films
• Alliance: digital distribution deal with LoveFilm • Aims: – Pan-European – Dominate European indie film market
Key info – Working Title • British film production • Parent = StudioCanal and Universal • Independent? • Did own WT2 – Low budget Brit films
• 4 phases of WT • Make “European films for a worldwide audience”
• Did specialise in midAtlantic films • Now - dual focus – Global mid-low budget films (Contraband – European mid-low budget (Tinker, Tailor)
Key info – Tinker, Tailor • Funding/ production – Working Title/ StudioCanal – £20m
• Marketing – – – –
Venice Film Festival Adaptation – TV; book Ensemble cast Social networks and use of internet
Distribution - cinema • StudioCanal/ Optimum • UK (Sept 2011 )> Europe> S Asia > S America> USA (Jan 2012) – Box office = $80m (as of Apr 2012)
Distribution – home • DVD sales = £2.5m (as of Apr 2012) 150,000 DVDs • LoveFilm-StudioCanal deal
Seven areas you need to be able to answer
Ownership - Concepts a) media ownership; b) cross media convergence and synergy • What impact does the ownership of a media institution have on the products it creates and on the relationship with the audience? • How do media institutions work together to reach audiences? • Alliances; Horizontal/ vertical integration
Audiences - Concepts f) the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions; g) how your own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour • How do international film production companies target British/ specific audiences? • How do audiences consume films? • Why do audiences consume films? • How are audiences targeted? • How active/ passive are film audiences?
(10Jan) “Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and services to national audiences.� To what extent do you agree with this statement? (10Jun) What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and audiences? (11Jan) Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts in your chosen media area. (12Jan) To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the media area you have studied?
(10Jan) “Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and services to national audiences.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? • Tinker Tailor – British • Vivendi: audience – StudioCanal • Pan-European studio • European dominance – Working Title – Optimum
– Universal • Global film • Blockbusters and event movies
– – – – –
Actors UK release Optimum/ StudioCanal Working Title LoveFilm deal
• Cinema City – not global – – – –
British audience Local audience Digital Screen network Europa
(11Jan) Discuss the issues raised by media ownership in the production and exchange of media texts in your chosen media area. • Vivendi:
• Tinker Tailor?
– StudioCanal • Pan-European studio • European dominance – Working Title – Optimum
• Cinema City?
to t n va e l – Universal e ll r a e r a • Global film e lid s t s la n • Blockbusters and event o e i t h t s m ue o q r f movies s i s th e u s is e h T
How do media institutions market and distribute to specific audiences? • Tinker Tailor – European audience – Tinker Tailor film festivals – Tinker Tailor distribution schedule – Europe first, then America
– StudioCanal and LoveFilm – Digital Marketing
• Cinema City – Digital Screen Network and Europa deal influences films shown • This shows how digital distribution influences exhibition and audiences
– Niche audiences • Local interest • Specific audience screenings: – Gay/ Older/ Autistic family audiences