There are seven areas that you could be given a question about. They are:

1. The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice.

2. The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing.

3. The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange.

4. The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences.

5. The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences.

6. The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions.

7. The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.

The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences.

Just a decade ago, Blockbuster ruled the movie rental business, with 25,500 employees at 8,000 stores dispensing movie rentals and a parallel distribution

system of 6,000 DVD public vending machines, it had $500 million in annual cash flow and was valued at $ 3 billion. About 2005 it was valued at $ 8 billion.

Meanwhile, Netflix was using the postal service to distribute DVDs, and it didn’t seem to have a chance. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings, its prospects of surviving

battles against Blockbuster, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and other competitors looked so poor that a Wall Street analyst labeled its stock “a worthless

piece of crap.”

In January 2013 it was announced that the company had gone into administration. Many

have argued that the rising popularity of internet film rental services like iTunes, Netfilx

and Lovefilm have taken their toll on Blockbuster's 528 high street video rental

stores.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

Yet Blockbuster soon filed for bankruptcy, while Netflix gained leadership of the industry. Blockbuster lost $518 million in 2010, running $ 1 billion in debt, and is closing most

outlets. Netflix gained 16 million subscribers by running a well-executed operation and streaming movies online. The company earned $116 million in 2010.

Netflix executives understood that an emerging technology was rapidly changing the delivery of movie rentals. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, developed a strategy of Internet streaming, convenient customer service, and a virtual organization to deliver it

cheaply and flawlessly.

Consider the convenience that LoveFilm and Netflix have over a company like Blockbuster.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

Formed in 1989

Wants to challenge the multiplex cinema model and provide cinemas that serve their communities in city centre locations.

Have a total of 21 cinemas, mostly, in university cities.

According to their website they’re the fourth largest in the UK.

Show both independent and mainstream films.

Picturehouse cinemas feature “stylish café-bars, which host art exhibitions and events such as live music, comedy and quizzes.”

Run Kids’ Club, parents and babies’ screenings and senior citizens’ matinees. Slackers Club, set up by E4, for students.

Transmit live material from stage to screen including interviews with Quentin Tarantino, Ang Lee, Ken Loach, Shekhar Khapur, Terence Davies and many others.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

The key benefit of the digital network will be an increase in the distribution and screening of British films, documentaries and foreign language films.

"Access to specialised film is currently restricted across the UK," said Pete Buckingham, head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film Council.

“It can cost up to £1,500 to make a copy of a print for specialist films. "In the digital world you can make prints for considerably less than that. Distributors can then send out prints to more cinemas and prints can stay in cinemas for much longer.A cinema will often book a 35mm print in for two weeks - even if the film is a roaring success they cannot hold on to the print because it will have to go to another cinema. With digital prints, every cinema will have its own copy."

The Digital Screen Network was a UK Film Council funded project (£12 million) to equip up to 240 screens in up to 210 cinemas with digital projectors capable of displaying high definition images. These cinemas would then have to show specialised films alongside mainstream.

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To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

Picturehouse was the first exhibitor in the UK and Europe to install a nationwide satellite network encompassing all

its cinemas to show ‘live via satellite’ events.

First satellite event was in October 2006, Amnesty International’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball. Screens sold-out and audiences quickly embraced the new concept of

'cinecasts'.

Since then, they have broadcast music, comedy, filmmaker Q&As, red-carpet premieres and productions

transmitted in High Definition from The New York Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House.

For the 2008 return to the big screen of Amnesty International’s Secret Policeman’s Ball, they were the

worldwide theatrical digital distributor, and delivered the live show via satellite to over 100 cinemas, including

screens in Canada and Australia.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

Benefits of digital

Choice – more ‘product’ and the ability to match it to customer demand

Quality – better sound and image, no deterioration of the print Alternative content – cinemas diversifying through live concerts, sport Spectacle – higher resolution, new 3D technologies (Avatar)

Consider the audience that this cinema chain appeals to. Middle class, slightly older, further education. The chain prides itself on being a

different cinema experience for audiences.

In December 2012 Cineworld bought the Picture House cinema chain. This has led many to claim that the independent spirit and ideals of the chain will change. It will be interesting to see whether this will be the

case.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences = Impact of Digital Technology

• Downloading – itunes, ipod,

• Digital Piracy – DVD’s, filesharing

• Social networking sites – marketing

• Accessibility – everywhere??

• Control – industry/audiences

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

• Movie piracy costs US film studios $25 billion annually.

• Over 70% of Americans feel that sharing movie and music files with family members is okay.

• Over 50% of Americans feel that sharing movie and music files with friends is okay.

• Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on anti-piracy campaigns annually.

• 70% of 18-29 year-olds have downloaded illegal content.

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)

What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and

audiences?

To be able to explain new technology in the film industry (level 2)To be able to analyse new technology’s impact with reference to case studies (level 3)To be able to evaluate new technology’ impact with reference to detailed case studies (level 4)