Independent work, Film fact file

Theorist that tie into Film:

Hesmondhalgh- Producers try to minimise risk and maximise audiences through vertical and horizontal integration. Repetition reduces Risk. 

• Shang Chi- although Disney represented diversity, they still kept their commercial framework. Traditional Hero and super-villain story line in order to maximise global profit and reduce financial risk. 
• Snow White- Disney retold the Grimm brother's tale, that was already loved so less chance of risking failure. Although they did invent a whole new way of film, being the first feature length animation using Technicolor. 
• Macro- large film corporations in general often use franchises, sequels and remakes to reduce financial risk. MCU is the biggest example of this with everyone of their films following Hesmondhalgh's theory. 
• Also repetition is seen through seasonal releases, companies release films at the right season i.e Christmas films such as home alone and love actually, barbie realsing in summer and constant new horror films released at Halloween time. 
• Holiday timing such as half term, so children films released in cinemas
• Repeated directors- one battle after another ( PTA) 
• Casting stars- Shangchi chose famous Chinese stars and so did Barbie
• Repeated genres- superhero films/ romcoms

Film industry's are dominated by the Main 5 : 

• Walt disney  
• Warner bros 
• Universal pictures 
• Paramount
• Sony pictures

This power and ownership limits creativity and diversity, Disney are a huge example of this. Through their horizontal integration of buying Marvel, Pixar, Starwars etc they have reduced competition, maximised profit but minimised diversity and creativity for the Industry.

So even though the directors may be creative and come up with new ideas, the studios still control budget, casting and marketing stratigies having most influence over the film and it is obvious they rely on repetition to reduce risk. 

Evolution in technology from 1900s to now.

Film technology has evolved from silent black-and-white movies in the 1900s to immersive, digitally-enhanced, and globally distributed films today, with innovations in sound, color, CGI, digital cameras, and streaming reshaping both production and audience experience.

Main technological milestones macro 

1. Walt Disney's steam boat willie being one of the first films to use synchronized sound in 1928
2. Wizard of OZ being one of the first feature-length film to use technicolour
3. Computer and digital effects seen in Jurassic Park was the introduction to CGI
4. HD cameras, IMAX, 3D technology in Avatar 2009 

Case studies evolution in technology: 

• Snow White was the first feature-length animation in colour. They would hand paint onto cells, however with a low budget one women had to use her lipstick to colour the red apple. It took 3 years to finish the drawings. They also used technicolor and rotoscoping- tracing over a live-action movement i.e the dancing seen was traced over live. The multiplane camera, it makes the foreground midground and background move at different times so a scene like snow white walking through the forest looks more immersive as each layer moves at a different time. 
• Shang Chi their use of CGI and VFX was not revolutionary but impressivly well done. Marvel filmed primaraly in Australia so contacted New Zealands Weta digitals to edit their film. They were nominated for an oscar of best visual effects. They also used in depth choreography for the fight scenes and even trained with the world champian of tia chi. 

Distribution, Exhibition and Marketing Snow White VS Shang Chi 

• Snow Whites marketing was mostly poster's, newspapers and radio adverts they would use Walts name, the technicolour feature to entice audiences. It was distributed only through cinemas in 1937 along with their premier that was a blockbuster success. They also released the soundtrack on vinyl. The budget for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was $1.5 million, and the film's domestic gross was $8 million 
• Shang Chi was released during covid making it an awkward time. They chose to do a 45 day global theatrical release which is half of the normal time. This meant that it felt exclusive and urgent which worked as more people than expected went to see it in cinemas. After the 45 day release it was then put onto Disney plus. However their target audience -China censored the film as of it's racist comic book past, including stereotypes such as the villain being named The Mandarin. Sim Lui commented on this describing Chinese censorship as being "really immature and out of touch." Their choice of marketing was extreme vs Disney. Individual character posters, paid someone to make a background story on Shang chi on youtube, released the soundtrack on youtube. Lots of interviews such as wired autocomplete. Shang-chi budget was $150 million but they grossed $432 million