1. Take a seat and have a go at identifying these
brands?

2. By the end of the lesson you should:
• Be able to discuss the institutional factors relating to
films, including the different types of film companies
that feature at the beginning of films and what their
significance is.
• Be able to apply this to your own film opening -
what type of film companies would be involved and
how will this effect your film?
• Have created a first draft of your company ident.

3. The Film Industry
Major Studios
• The ‘Big Six’
• Part of massive media conglomerates
• Big blockbusters, high concept films, mass
marketed films - to appeal to mass audiences
• Bigger budgets
• Business is to make money

4. The Film Industry
Independent film companies
• Not part of major studios or conglomerates
• Indie can sometimes mean art film or non mass
marketed film.
• So, usually (but not always) more about a filmmakers
artistic style or telling a story than making money.
• Often have to gain finance from other sources and so
budget can be much smaller
• Many successful independents have been taken over
by major studios or conglomerates (e.g. Working Title).

5. Major studio or independent?

6. Major studios – The ‘Big Six’
What would you expect from a film if you saw one of these
logos? Consider stars, locations, genre, action, etc.

7. Independents
Would you expect anything different from a film if you saw
one of these logos?

8. The Film Industry
• Many films will be co-produced by several
production companies (spread the cost/risk) and
all will want to be credited in the opening
sequence.
• Distribution companies will also want
to be credited – they do not make the
film but are responsible for marketing
it and getting it into cinemas, etc.
• Many production companies,
mostly the major studios, have
distribution arms.