322 EXAM PRACTICE QUESTION: What impact does media ownership have upon the range of products available to audiences in the media area you have studied? (50 Marks)
HERE ARE YOUR FIRST 4 PARAGRAPHS.
START I have studied the film industry. In this essay, I understand 'media ownership' to mean both the Hollywood film industry and independent British film producers and distributors. First, I am going to write about the Hollywood 'big six' using as my case study Disney as an example of the mega-franchise model. Then, I plan to examine British film, using as my case studies Working Title and a selection of independent films with small budgets and niche audiences.
You read up on the Hollywood 'big six' and megafranchises, including Dalecki's 4-S megafranchise model and the synergy it produces.
You watch my Prezi on megafranchises.
To begin with, I will define 'range of products' in relation to production values (big budgets, high production values, CGI, motion capture, exotic locations, expensive casting and so on), big distribution budgets (interactive websites, range of trailers, luxury brand tie-ins, syndicated TV channel advertising, P&A saturation and so on), diverse film products (DVD, BluRay, 3D, IMAX, downloads and so on) and entertainment super-texts (like theme parks and video games). In other words, I intend to show that Hollywood mega-franchises dominate because of their ability to generate constant synergy: for instance, the Disney Stores promote the consumer products which promote the theme parks which promote the television show.
You study and present Disney The Avengers as a case study.
However, I also intend to argue that Hollywood's focus on certain film genres (sequels, prequels and superhero film) actually narrows consumer choice. By playing safe as they aim for global markets, Hollywood develops films that offer archetypes, story and spectacle, whereas British film and independent film producers in general offer more diverse film genres.
Therefore I intend to define 'range of products' in terms of 'range of genre' and show how smaller film makers make a wide range of films that offer what national audiences need. I will examine how smaller film makers tackle issues relating to genre, casting, production values, distribution, building audiences and exhibiting films.
