Film Studio ResearchShannon Doyle

Introduction

I am going to research into numerous film studios who are well known for their producing of thriller films. I will find out what and how great

their successes have been what they are known for and who they have worked with previously.

Researching into all of these elements will help me to gain an insight into which film studios would be best personally as an amateur film maker looking to produce a thriller film and this will allow me to see which could potentially be most suitable for distribution if that was

the chosen route.

Hammer Film Productions

A film production company based in the UK who were founded in 1943.

They have had a partnership with Warner Bros studio.

They are well known for their series of gothic ‘hammer horror’ films such as Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein.

They also specialise in science fiction, film noir and most importantly thriller films.

Recent Successes

In 2011 they produced the thriller film The Resident. Director: Antti Jokinen

Stars: Hilary Swank, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lee Pace Gross: $3,069,729

In 2012 they produced the thriller film The Woman In Black. Director: James Watkins

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer and Ciaran Hinds Gross: $54,322,273

Paramount Pictures

A film production company based in the US (Hollywood specifically) who were founded in 1912.

It is ranked as one of the largest grossing film studios.

They produce a large variety of film genres, which of course includes the genre of thriller.

Recent Successes

In 2010 they produced the thriller film Shutter Island. Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer and Mark Ruffalo Gross: $294,804,195

In 2011 they produced the science-fiction thriller film Super 8. Director: J.J. Abrams

Stars: Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka and Kyle Chandler Gross: $259,713,319

Lionsgate Entertainment

A film production company based in the US who were founded in 1997.

They are commercially the most successful independent film company in North America, as well as being the sixth most profitable

film studio.

Although they release film of all genres they are known for their horror, action and thriller genre of films.

Recent Successes

In 2000 they produced the crime thriller film American Psycho. Director: Mary Harron

Stars: Christian Bale, Justin Thereoux and Josh Lucas Gross: $34,266,564

In 2009 they produced the horror thriller film Saw VI. Director: Kevin Greutert

Stars: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Mark Rolston Gross: $27,445,118

Conclusion

After researching into three major thriller film studios I have decided that Lionsgate Entertainment would be the best choice. This is for a

number of different factors because although it is based in the United States it is a more independent film company and thus they may be

more likely to take on the risk than a far bigger and universal company such as Paramount Pictures. Also as they are the sixth most

profitable film studio there would not be so much of an issue with funding as there potentially could be with another studio. Another advantage of them being independent is that they would be more

likely to keep the idea as close to the original as possible as it would not be as big of a risk in comparison to a larger company who would most probably gain too much control in the producing of the film. I would also chose Liongate over the other studios because when it

comes to distribution despite being a smaller and more independent company they have access to a vast audience and would be able to

get the film to the correct intended audience as well as others.