INDEPENDENT FILM COMPANY: WORKING TITLES

Media Ownership

Normally British productions are made by smaller companies like Working titles, and work with Film 4 or the BBC to try to secure extra funding and try to guarantee them distribution to the audience.

Usually independent companies have difficulties with media conglomerate due to many different factors. For example money for advertising and distribution.

• An example is working titles spent for Bridget Jones Diary was

Synergy & Cross Media Convergence

Working titles sometimes join with other media aspects to promotion a production. By working with conglomerates it benefits both companies, for example Bridget Jones’ diary is shown constantly on ITV 3 or channel 4. This allows both parties to benefit from this and gives the indie film more publicity.

However it is harder for independent film companies as they have less money than the conglomerates. Conglomerates have a higher budget which means they can advertising their products on a bigger scale.

Another example is in the film Shaun of the Dead, in the credits ‘Universal’ is shown which is an example of synergy.

New Media Technologies

Working titles have used new media technologies in many different ways. Firstly they have changed the amount of 3D film is being made. This allows all the film producers to make more money from a film in 3D and also that more people will want to see it in cinema because is not the same level in home viewing.

In 2010, 28 3D films were realised, which generated £241.8 million in the UK. This shows that the film producers are adapting to change technology to suit the audience.

The Spread Of Technology

The spread of technology has increased over the last few years. On the internet there are many websites that independent films or trailers are posted for different reasons. Either what to know the audiences’ comments or cheaper marketing. Mainly to catch trailers individuals with use YouTube as it is free and easy to use. This can also be linked to social networking or blogging sites. The company may want the audience to view their work, they can do this by posting a link/tweeting so they can have the latest news.

Technological Convergence

For Working Titles, technological convergence have helped them largely. This is the process where new technology is moving towards single platforms. Most of working titles films can be watched online websites and can be downloaded on different types of devices e.g. smartphone/iPod/PSP. On the website MP3.com individuals can watch the films online which makes it easier for the audience, this is also free publication.

Big Industries targeting British Audiences

Since the conglomerate target audience is on a bigger platform it generates more money for them as it is targeted at more than one type of audience. Independent budget is much lower than one of the Big 6 for production. The focus for an indie film is at an specific audience, which means they would have to count on similar people and hoping they draw in more audiences. An example is Shaun of the Dead in the cinemas was a 15 to watch whereas Disney films are usually 12A or parental guidance so anyone can watch since there isn’t a limit.