The studio system in the USA

The genius of the system

How did the system come about?

A number of factors made Hollywood the centre of film production:

Thomas Edison and Motion Picture Patents Company (Edison Trust).War in EuropeDevelopment of the technology especially soundThe ethos of the American DreamHenry Ford’s model of productionClimateSunlightProximity to Mexico and cheap labour

The geniusWas founded on the principles of vertical integration - controlling the supply chain – produced films, distributed these to their own cinema chains. 1930 - 1948 is generally regarded as the ‘Golden Age’ of the Hollywood Studio system.

• After the emergence sound, two groups of companies emerged to dominate the production of movies in America.

• These were known as the Big Five and the Little Three

• They had the best production facilities and the most sought after performers

• They also became associated with different genres

The Big Five

The Little Three

UniversalColumbiaUnited Artists

Advantages of the system

streamlined productionspecialisation of job rolessecure employmenteconomic efficiency on going production linestars careers were managedexhibition guaranteedweaker product could be carried

Disadvantages

lack of creative autonomylack of freedom for starsdivision of labourde-skillingwages kept artificially lowblock and blind booking practices unfairpaternalistic systemmonopoly/oligopoly

StarsStudios often hired new actors on contract (usually seven years) as bit-part players and then remodelled them (often physically) into glamorous movie stars.Everything managed by studio.Punished by studio for not towing the line.Some stars sued through the courts and this forced studios to change contracts.

The demise of the system

Pressure was brought to bear on the system through a number of cases including stars trying to break their contracts.

1948 saw the introduction the anti trust laws

This was the equivalent of a monopolies commission

Broke the vertical integration chain

• Made it illegal for studios to exhibit films in cinemas owned by them

• Sometimes called ‘divorcement’• System went into a period of flux in 50’s• Sold off assets – especially cinema chains• Critical time for Hollywood. Would it

survive?