Tinker, TailorWorking TitleStudioCanal

How to use the case studies in the exam

WT2

Studio Canal

Working Title

Universal

Kinowelt OptimumStudio CanalUniversal Focus Features

VivendiKey Terms•Ownership

•Horizontal Integration

•Vertical Integration

•Synergy

•Cross-Media Ownership

•Production

•Distribution

•Institutional Convergence

•Parent Company

•Sister Company

•Conglomerate

•Oligopoly

•Major

•Globalisation

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 mid-Atlantic 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 - Conceptsf) 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?

• Vivendi:– StudioCanal

• Pan-European studio• European dominance

– Working Title– Optimum

– Universal• Global film• Blockbusters and event

movies

• Tinker Tailor – British audience– 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:– StudioCanal

• Pan-European studio• European dominance

– Working Title– Optimum

– Universal• Global film• Blockbusters and event

movies

• Tinker Tailor?

• Cinema City?

The issues from the last slide are all relevant to

this question

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