CONTEXTS + CRITICAL DEBATES
- feminism
- BLM (interracial tensions)
- Cancel Culture
- Globalisation
- Freedom of Speech
- Censorship
- personal experiences / opinion
- comparison / contrast
- Covid 19 / lockdowns impact on the film industry
- technological developments issues - e.g. AI / Piracy
Have a watch of these 2 videos and make notes. Be careful to get stats/ quotes and case study examples that you can use in essays.
You can use the concept of a global audience impacting representation / impacting Hollywood in the following essays;
- Audiences (in relation to how audiences are not just local, consuming local media but Global and the issues that arise with this)
- ownership (in relation to how Hollywood are powerful but with money being their bottom line, they compromise on Western values to gain Chinese audience support)
- technology (in relation to how proliferation has shifted audiences from local to global and some of the issues that arise with that)
Pick a past exam question to answer for homework, set a timer for 45 mins and write an essay using all your research and case study material, a quote and a theory;
1. Analyse how media institutions are using different platforms to engage with their audiences.
2. Explain how audiences are targeted, built and maintained by media organisations.
3. In relation to the media area you have studied, discuss the ways audience consumption has changed over time.
Let's look at NZ examples and statistics again of where our local audiences are watching / consujming content;
https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/news/generational-divide-widens-latest-nz-air-audience-survey/
Another local audiences research piece\
https://socialmedia.org.nz/digital-video-now-leads-the-way-in-new-zealand/
And a third link for research;
Decline in TV ratings
Long 'Where are the audiences' study we will look at in class
https://www.wiftnz.org.nz/media/uvqfuksv/where_are_the_audiences_2021_full_report.pdf
Make some notes in relation to Avatar on;
- why this film resonated with audiences
- what technology worked well for this film
https://collider.com/james-cameron-avatar-movies-audience/
Have a read through of this article on the marketing strategy for Avatar;
- how did they create hype around the film's release?
- how did they connect with audiences using cross-media-convergence / synergy?
Make some notes in relation to Avatar on;
- why this film resonated with audiences
- what technology worked well for this film
https://collider.com/james-cameron-avatar-movies-audience/
Have a read through of this article on the marketing strategy for Avatar;
- how did they create hype around the film's release?
- how did they connect with audiences using cross-media-convergence / synergy?
- thinking about Media Ecology and the use of development of technology to connect with audiences where they're at (social media etc), write some notes on how James Cameron and the marketing team were successful in connecting an audience with their product
https://cinematicslant.com/2022/12/16/avatar-the-way-of-water-marketing-recap/
Watch the first Barbie video, a few minutes of the second Barbie video, the Oppenheimer video and the Avatar video.
Answer these questions;
- Name of film and year it was released
- director of each film
- did the directors choose digital or film to shoot these?
- what SFX / CGI was used in these films?
- what practical effects were used in the making of these films
- a quote or interesting fact about the making of these films
- how well have each of these films done in Box Office earnings?
- what have rotten tomatoes reviews been for these?
Contrast these films successes with Antman vs. Wasp and make some notes on the contrast between them.
Hi class,
Task 1
Check out this clip from Downton Abbey.
I want you to watch it through from 1.36 mins to the end (please note, this will be longer than the average clip you'll get in an exam but for the purposes of practise, it's a great clip).
Task 2:
Create a blog post with the title, "Downton Abbey Representation Practise" with your notes
Questions;
1. Who (out of the 7 core representation areas of society) are being represented in this clip?
(you can choose more than 1 category if you feel it's relevant)
2. How are they represented to us? (what messages are we told about these groups? What are they like? What are their lives like? What are we encouraged / pursuaded to think about them?)
3. Split a planning page up into 4 squares and include your 4 technical elements. Go through the clip from 1.36 and collect EVIDENCE (or examples) of where each technical area created meaning. Use correct terminology AND details of the example you're referring to (you can't just say 'there's lots of close-up's") You will need to watch the clip through 3 - 4 times, like you would in an exam, to get the notes you need.
Task 2:
Watch this video as it goes through each technical element and how you should be taking notes for your essay;
Have a look at this article and add the term 'ancillary rights' to your glossary and essay plan for ownership / CMC + Synergy
Hi guys!
You're going to watch this clip of a very straightforward theory by David Gauntlett.
This theory is simple and a great one to use in your REPRESENTATION essay or in a an essay about ownership, thinking about the older structures of corporations who would have clearer pathways of power to creating representations of different groups in society. The thinking about old media VS. new media, a media where now, many people can represent themselves, is an interesting one to think about and a great one to mention in your essays!
Article to reference more aspects of this theory
Task:
Use the last clip from the 'Maid' TV series as your representation clip. Rewrite an introduction for this as though you were preparing to write a full essay and include both this theory as well as Stuart Hall's reception theory.
1. Have a read of this article and make some notes about how technological advancements have impacted film distribution
2. Then read the article below that I pasted into the blog post and make some notes on different types of distribution.
Article 1
https://raindance.org/the-impact-of-digitalization-on-the-film-industry/
Article 2
The entertainment business is a complex and ever-evolving industry, and film distribution is crucial. Distributing a film involves making it available for public consumption, and the chosen strategy can greatly impact a film's success. This article will explore some of the different film distribution models in the entertainment business.
Theatrical distribution is the most traditional model, where films are screened in theaters for a specified period. Studios and production companies work with distributors, who negotiate deals with theater chains to show their films. Box office revenue is split between the theater and the distributor, with percentages varying based on agreements. This model highly depends on marketing, audience interest, and critical reception. However, the rise of digital platforms has significantly impacted the theatrical distribution model, leading to the emergence of other distribution models.
Day-and-date releases are a more recent distribution model in which a film is made available for theatrical and home viewing on the same day. This strategy is often employed for smaller or independent films, allowing them to reach a wider audience who may not have access to a theater or prefer to watch films at home. However, this model can cannibalize theatrical revenues and has faced pushback from theater chains.
With the rapid growth of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, many films are released directly on these services without a theatrical run. This distribution model is called Straight-to-Streaming or Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD). These platforms typically provide a flat fee to filmmakers or studios in exchange for exclusive streaming rights. SVOD releases have become especially popular for mid-budget and niche films that may struggle to find an audience in theaters. This model also allows filmmakers to bypass traditional distribution channels and retain more creative control over their projects.
Video-on-Demand (VOD) is a distribution model that allows users to rent or purchase digital copies of films through various platforms. VOD services can be divided into three main categories: Transactional Video-on-Demand (TVOD), where users pay for each film they watch; Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD), where users pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a library of content; and Ad-Supported Video-on-Demand (AVOD), which offers free content with advertisements. VOD releases often follow a film's theatrical run and may coexist with other distribution models.
Hybrid distribution is a flexible model that combines different distribution methods to reach the widest possible audience. For example, a film may have a limited theatrical release, followed by a simultaneous VOD and SVOD release. This approach allows studios to maximize revenue by targeting different audience segments and preferences. Hybrid distribution has become more common due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced studios to adapt and experiment with alternative release strategies.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, so do film distribution models. Theatrical, day-and-date, straight-to-streaming, VOD, and hybrid models have unique benefits and challenges. The key to success in the entertainment business is understanding the target audience, embracing new technologies and platforms, and choosing the most effective distribution model for a particular film.
