Homework Sheet 1

Production

The production process refers to the stages required to complete a media product, from the idea to the final copy.

Three main stages of production are:

• Pre-Production- Planning, Scripting and Storyboard
• Production- The actual Shooting/ Recording 
• Post-Production- Everything between Production and creating the final master copy.  

The making of Ice Age 

• Ice Age is a 2002 American computer- animated comedy-drama adventure produced by Blue Sky Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
• The film was originally to be directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman , and produced in traditional animation by Fox Animation Studio.

Distribution 

• When the film is completed it is then sent to the studio.
• The studio makes a licensing agreement with a distribution company.
• The distribution company determines how many copies (prints) of the film to make.
• The distribution company shows the movie (screening) to prospective buyers representing the theatres.
• The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement.
• The prints are sent to the theatres a few days before the opening day.
• The theatre shows the movie for a specified number of weeks (engagement).
• You buy a ticket and watch the movie.
• At the end of the engagement, the theatre sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the lease agreement.

Marketing

There are many different types of marketing :

• Trailers
• Film Posters
• Links to blogs and email to promote the film
• Internet Marketing
• Merchandising
• Promotion Tour
• Print- Newspaper, Magazines
• Bus Ads
• Bill Boards 
• TV advertisements

Exhibition

The Film Value Chain

Usually feature films open 'theatrically' (e.g. cinemas) - Non theatrical License (aeroplane, coaches) - Home Entertainment (DVD,Blue-Ray) - Pay/Subscription ( pre-pay, video on demand) - Free to Air ( films to be shown on TV year) - Licensed Merchandising ( Rights sold to manufactures of merchandising to use on their brand on their products)