Toy Story 3

1. The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice

Depending on the media company the type of film will be influenced and so will its success. This is due to larger film companies creating more major films which are likely to succeed in the market as blockbuster films. According to Mark Kermode a film with a newsworthy budget makes it almost impossible for a blockbuster to lose money. This is due to them being focused on in the media, creating a larger audience for the film.

An example of a big film company is Walt Disney; this is the producer of the film Toy Story 3. One of the most well-known film production companies in the world with them producing lots of major blockbusters. Walt Disney always manages to create very successful and popular films that will are always remember by many people and are passed down through generations. The fact that Disney is so well known will play a huge role in the film’s success as people can rely on Walt Disney to create a successful film.

2. The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distributing and marketingCross media convergence and synergy refers to companies promoting their product through 2 or more mediums in order to ensure success.

Disney the distributor of Toy story 3 marketed the film through CD soundtracks, DVD’s, in store outlets and games/toys. As Disney are such a large brand they are able to afford these medium which helps to ensure the huge success of a film. The Disney store is a great marketing idea that will provide the success of the film as viewers can buy Disney merchandise, this appeals to the target

market of Disney films as children want something from the film. For example in toy story 3 buzz light year could be purchased.

3. The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, market

3D (three dimensional)Is a computer generated image created when two cameras are used to film creating a scene from different perspectives. The aim of this is to achieve stereoscopic vision in a way that mimicked the human eye. In order to do this they use HD cameras which replicate the human depth perception. Toy story 3 was available to watch in 3D in most cinemas, it gave you the opportunity to almost feel as though you were amongst the toys. This worked well for the films target market, young children as it captured them within the film.

Blu-rayA Blu-ray disc is a new and improved DVD disc. Unlike ordinary DVD’s Blu-ray’s enable you to watch high definition resolution (1080p) which is much greater than the ordinary (480p). Toy story 3 was released on Blu-ray disc this attracted the audience that wanted to receive cinema quality but from the comfort of their own home, very useful for young children who do not want to always attend the cinema.

Downloadable content This is additional content for films such as soundtracks and character accessories on additional games. These allow the viewer to interact with the film, which often then leads to attract other viewers as more and more people want to become involved. These sort of apps are easily accessible on download providers such as iTunes or Google play. An example of this would be Toy Story’s story theatre a game sold on apples iTunes.

Internet streaming media A new media that films are streamed through are membership sites such as Netflix and amazon prime. These allow you to stream films online for only a small fee each month. A benefit of these it is more cost effective to use these rather than visit the cinema as they are only a fraction of the price. Toy Story 3 is available on Netflix alongside all other toy story films, this makes the film easily accessible for the target audience.

4. The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;Today common ways of watching films have changed significantly compared to when films were first released. New sources of watching films such as through online streaming and digital demand have become more popular. This is most commonly viewer’s first point of call for watching films as many people want to watch a film through a handheld device such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or console. These ways of watching the newest blockbusters are becoming increasingly common as they are cheap to run and are cost effective for families, they do not have to fork out the whole cost for the family to watch the film at cinemas. Toy story 3 was released through cinemas, Netflix, amazon prime and several other VOD’s. As toy story was released by in 2010 VOD’s give the opportunity for big film companies to continue to make a profit on older films.

5. The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;Marketing is most affected by technological convergence as it enables films to reach out to their target audience using new technological developments. New methods of marketing are now used through social media, websites and blogs where as previously only basic methods of marketing through mediums such as billboards and posters were all the film industry had access to. In relation to the film Toy Story 3 marketing methods through TV adverts, posters and magazines, helped them to branch out towards their target market of young children. Down to the technological advances Toy Story 3 could be distributed through DVD, Blu-ray, cinema, VOD’s and online streaming.Toy story 3 include several A list stars such as ‘Tom Hanks’ who took on the voice of the protagonist woody and ‘Tim Allen’ who featured as Buzz Lightyear in the film. According to Mark Kermode’s rules blockbusters that include an A list star are always going to be a success.

6. The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;

The way that films are promoted entirely depends on whereabouts the film is being released, the film producers and the film

distributers. Often in America films that have been produced by one of the ‘big six’ production companies are very well known within the media. This is down to them having large amounts of money to spend on marketing targeting their target audiences. In relation to toy story 3 which was produced by Walt Disney, this would have benefited them as their target market of young children could be reached through their large variety of marketing methods. Also as toy story is a sequel this would have help Toy Story’s 3 success as the film already had a designated fan base, this ensured that there would already be a large audience ready and waiting for the film’s release.

In comparison to American films British films only have a small percentage of money designated to marketing. This is down to films being produced by much smaller producers such as Film 4 rather than one of ‘the big six’ film producers. This leaves many British films not being well known within the film industry leaving some exceptions for films such as ‘James Bond’ being one of the most successful British films. However things such as marketing through social media has allowed many British films to sell their films to their target audiences for only a small expense. Social media also allows films to target both national and local audiences this is because people worldwide have the same access to social media this helps to attract additional audiences for the film.

7. The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.Personally I think that the influence larger production companies have on the film’s success is huge. Big film producers companies most likely have a large fan base and a large profit this most ensures the film’s success. Toy Story 3 is an example of a large productions company’s success, people would be attracted towards this film as it has been produced by one of the big six production company’s- Walt Disney therefore people know it is a worthy film to watch, also as the film is made alongside Pixar animations people realise they are reputable company and are intrigued to what they have produced.

Without the developments in technology all of this would not have been possibly, even large films such as toy story would haven’t been successful without the large developments in marketing resources. Instead of the basic methods of advertising through

billboards and other basic methods a lot more is readily available to help reach target audiences.

DVD’s are now no longer being needed but instead more and more people are wanting higher quality easily accessible films. The huge developments in VOD’s has led to this. Now people want to watch major successful blockbusters from the comfort of their own home.

Toy story has reached out to their target audience by following all of these customer needs it has allowed them to make the film as successful as possible and make the film success last for many more years to come.