Film Production Company Case Study

Lauren Hurley

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Production companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), New Line Cinema, WingNut Films.

Director: Peter Jackson

Main Actors: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott

Distributors Include: Warner Bros. (Argentina, Germany, Spain, France, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, USA) (Theatrical), Warner Home Video (Germany, Spain, UK, Netherlands) (Blu-ray/DVD)

Based on “The Hobbit” a novel by J.R.R. Tolkien

Budget: $250,000,000

Worldwide Box Office Gross: $950,007,304

Worldwide Box Office Profit: $700,007,304

Marketing

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)Production Company

MGM had an expertise in filmmaking which was famously said to have “attracted more stars than the heavens”. The company was created as a merger in April 1924 from Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Co and Louis B. Mayer. Marcus Loew, a man who owned a well established theatre chain, coordinated and bought the merger.

MGM were the production company for films such as The Wizard of Oz(1939), Gone with the Wind(1939), Skyfall(2012), The Pink Panther 2(2009).

Presently, MGM is an entertainment company focusing on the production and distribution sectors of film globally.

Famous actors include: Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Laurel & Hardy and the Marx Bros.

New Line CinemaProduction Company

New Line Cinema were founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and are known to have a successful past of producing well known films that appeal to a variety of audiences around the world.

The company began as a private art films distributor, however it developed into a top independent film production and distribution company.

The companies first commercially successful film was A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). It cost an estimated amount of $1,800,000 to make yet grossed $25,504,513 in the USA box office.

The production company merged with Warner Bros. Entertainment in 2008. New Line Cinema has separate development, production, marketing, distribution and business operations, but coordinates them with Warner Bros. Entertainment in order to maximize their film performance and operating efficiencies.

Since merging with Warner Bros. Entertainment, the company has produced successful films such as The Hobbit, Sex and the City, Valentines Day and He’s Just Not That Into You.

The Inbetweeners Movie (2011)

Production Companies: Bwark Productions, Film4, Young Films

Director: Ben Palmer

Main Actors: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas

Distributors Include: Entertainment Film Distributors (UK) (Theatrical), Channel 4 DVD (UK) (DVD/Blu-ray), Wrekin Hill Entertainment (USA) (Theatrical)

Based on the Channel 4 Television Series: The Inbetweeners

Budget: £3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend Takings: £13,300,000 (UK) (23rd August 2011) (475 Screens)

$35,955 (USA) 9th September 2012) (USA) The film did not do well theatrically on its opening weekend in the USA. This is because firstly there was only 10 screens.

Secondly, the humor is very British and therefore aimed at a British audience.