Producer-Unit System

PRODUCER-UNIT SYSTEM (1931-1940) -Central producer still maintained high degree of control over all of the film production at a given studio, but it was difficult to keep tabs on the growing number of films. It is also difficult for central producer to be an “expert” in every genre - Various studios’ central producers began assigning assistants to take over a degree of control over smaller groups of film. - Specialisation increased -Different directors under central producer specialised in various genres of films

-Films of a particular studio beginning to all “look alike”, influence of central producer decreasing the individuality of the films -Central producer replaced by a number of producers ( “associate producers”) -Desire to decrease costs; with a smaller number of films for each producer to supervise, he could keeper tighter control over costs -More different kinds of movies produced; producers made movies within their Specialisations

- Producer-Unit system adopted by all Big 5 studios, which allows them to make more film more efficiently than during the silent era. - Part of general increase in Specialisation & departmentalization at the studios - Increased the division of labor. Jobs in other departments also became more specialised. New jobs created by new technologies of sound & color (technicians, dialogue writers, voice coaches)

Analysis of 'Transformers' DVD Cover

-We can tell that this film is action from the city skyline and the fact that the characters clothing is ripped to show that they have been involved in some sort of conflict.
-There is also an element of romance as Shia Labeouf and Megan Fox are posing close together to show they are a couple.
- The cast of the movie's names are not on the cover of the DVD, however the director Michael Bay is on the cover to show that he is more significant.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnwmUZuF5OY  - Trailer

All Time Worldwide Top 20

	Released	Film Name	Total Box Office
1	2009	Avatar	$2,783,918,982
2	1997	Titanic	$1,842,879,955
3	2011	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II	$1,326,450,747
4	2011	Transformers: Dark of the Moon	$1,119,210,592
5	2003	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	$1,119,027,325
6	2010	Toy Story 3	$1,064,404,880
7	2006	Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest	$1,060,615,812
8	2011	Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	$1,039,163,875
9	2010	Alice in Wonderland	$1,024,391,110
10	2008	The Dark Knight	$1,001,945,358
11	2001	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	$974,755,371
12	2007	Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End	$960,996,492
13	2010	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I	$955,417,476
14	2007	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	$939,885,929
15	2009	Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince	$934,416,487
16	2002	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	$926,284,377
17	1999	Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace	$924,288,297
18	1993	Jurassic Park	$923,826,870
19	2004	Shrek 2	$919,838,758
20	1994	The Lion King	$898,448,100

All Time US Top 20

1	2009	Avatar	$760,507,625
2	1997	Titanic	$600,788,188
3	2008	The Dark Knight	$533,345,358
4	1977	Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope	$460,998,007
5	2004	Shrek 2	$441,226,247
6	1982	ET: The Extra-Terrestrial	$435,110,554
7	1999	Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace	$431,088,297
8	2006	Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest	$423,315,812
9	2010	Toy Story 3	$415,004,880
10	1994	The Lion King	$414,548,100
11	2002	Spider-Man	$403,706,375
12	2009	Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen	$402,111,870
13	2005	Star Wars Ep. III: Revenge of the Sith	$380,270,577
14	2011	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II	$379,750,747
15	2003	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	$377,027,325
16	2004	Spider-Man 2	$373,524,485
17	2004	The Passion of the Christ	$370,782,930
18	1993	Jurassic Park	$357,067,947
19	2011	Transformers: Dark of the Moon	$352,358,779
20	2002	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	$341,784,377

Most Popular Genre's Since 1995

		Movies	Total Gross	Average Gross	Market Share
1	Comedy	1,702	$44,337,313,991	$26,050,126	23.87%
2	Adventure	486	$36,810,703,839	$75,742,189	19.82%
3	Drama	2,999	$32,812,108,205	$10,941,016	17.66%
4	Action	542	$31,201,880,009	$57,568,044	16.80%
5	Thriller/Suspense	532	$14,706,824,063	$27,644,406	7.92%
6	Romantic Comedy	391	$11,036,373,758	$28,226,020	5.94%
7	Horror	314	$8,891,060,303	$28,315,479	4.79%
8	Documentary	1,007	$2,041,972,499	$2,027,778	1.10%
9	Musical	108	$1,701,738,412	$15,756,837	0.92%
10	Black Comedy	81	$754,265,908	$9,311,925	0.41%
11	Western	36	$684,819,328	$19,022,759	0.37%
12	Concert/Performance	39	$291,933,629	$7,485,478	0.16%
13	Multiple Genres	18	$6,382,316	$354,573	0.00%
14	Genre Unknown	5	$1,685,983	$337,197	0.00%

Spiderman 3- Genre Case Study

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qbD9lpUvV7U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 -The colours red and blue signify that this is Spiderman, it's recognizable to its audience.
-The fact that on one of the poster's doesn't have the title of the film shows how recognizable the logo and colours are.
- On the posters we can see that this film's genre is action due to the characters poses.
-In the trailer there are elements of romance to attract a female audience rather than just including action which stereotypically only attracts males.
- The fact that Peter Parker loses his fiancee's wedding ring in the action ties both the genre's together.
- There is also a theme of family included in the trailer.

The Studios of Old Holllywood

Warner Brothers

Warner Brothers was founded in 1918 by Jack Warner, Harry Warner, Albert Warner and Sam Warner. However, in 1923 it was founded as Warner Bros. Studios. Other than having a film studio they have a record label 'Warner Bro's Records' and a family film record called 'Warner Bros Family Entertainment'
They have made films such as
The Harry Potter Series
The Matrix Series
The Exorcist
The Lost Boys
Free Willy
Beetle Juice
Warner Bros. seem to focus more on juvenile films however they have also own a fair amount of more mature and violent films such as Oceans Eleven. There films are all star studded with the lights of Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp and Daniel Radcliffe.
A film they are currently producing starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock called 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and they are also making a sequel to the very successful Happy Feet.