Film Institutions

What are film institutions? Why are they relevant?

Film institutions are organisations, either publicly or privately owned, that produce and distribute media. Many of the top film institutions are responsible for producing and distributing high grossing and iconic films; this research will help to inform us, which film institute would be best suited to distribute our slasher film.



Warner Bros

- Warner Bros is an American company, founded in 1923 with their headquarters based in Burbank, California and another studio in New York 

- Warner Bros also has several subsidiaries, for example DC Films, New Line Cinema and Castle Rock Entertainment

- They produce and distribute several different genres of films including horror, romance, adventure and comedy. Their most popular films include the Harry Potter series, "The Hangover" and "Slumdog Millionaire" 

-  Some horror films that Warner Bros are well known for and that are successful include "Friday the 13th", "Orphan" and "The Exorcist"

20th Century Fox

- 20th Century Fox is another dominant American film studio was founded in 1935, located in Los Angeles

- The studio itself is a subsidiary of News Corporation owned by Rupert Murdoch

- 20th Century Fox favour producing family, comedy and fantasy films as "Night at the Museum" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks", as they target a wider audience- therefore being more profitable

- But they have distributed some horror films: the slasher -"From Hell",  "Jennifer's Body", "The Haunting of Molly Hartley"


Lionsgate

- Lionsgate was formed in 1997 and is an American company formed in Canada

- Lionsgate has produced and distributed a number of notable films for instance, "American Psycho", "The Hunger Games" and "Kick Ass"


- The majority of the films that Lionsgate produce or distribute are dramas, action or thriller

- Lionsgate have produced a few memorable horror films and those that have been successful have been produced in the 10 years. These include the "Saw" series, "The Eye" and "The Possession" 

Universal Pictures

- Universal Pictures is a subsidiary of NBC Universal and is one of the earliest American film studios in continuous production

- Universal Pictures prefer to produce drama, romance and adventure films

- Some famous films that Universal Pictures have either produced and or distributed are "Jaws", "E.T." , "Schindler's List" and "Back to the Future"

- Universal Pictures have not created many notable or successful horror films, but the ones they have produced include "Dracula", "The Strangers" and "Dead Silence"   

Twisted Pictures

- Twisted Pictures is an independent American company, founded in 2004 and known for producing horror films 

- The company was formed after the success of the psychological horror film "Saw", which they co-produced with Lionsgate. This led to a nine-picture distrubution deal with Lionsgate

Hammer Film Productions

- Hammer Film Productions is a British film company based in London, which was founded in 1934 

- They are best noted for producing horror films and known for producing a series of "Hammer Horror" films during the 1950s to the 1970s

- They also produce thrillers, comedies and science fiction films

- Some of the notable films they have produced include "The Mummy", "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Curse of Frankenstein"

- Their distribution partnerships with American film studios such as Warner Bros have greatly contributed to the success of the company and their films

- The company was revived in 2007 and since then has produced "Woman In Black", "Let Me In" and "The Quiet Ones"- all successful horror films

In conclusion, I think the best film institute to produce and distribute our horror, slasher, film is Hammer Film Productions. Firstly because they are a British company and we would like to support the British film industry and British talent; also Hammer Film Company specialises and are experienced in producing horror films- therefore they would select the most appropriate settings, costumes etc. Furthermore, they have distribution partnerships with major American companies, which would help to further the success of our film.

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