Production Company Research.

A major film studio is a movie production and distribution company that releases a considerable number of films annually and consistently commands a significant share of box-office revenues. The "Big Six" majors, whose movie operations are based in or around Hollywood, are all centred in film studios active during Hollywood's Golden Age. 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Paramount were part of the "Big Five" majors during that era as well. Columbia and Universal were also considered majors, but in the next tier down, part of the "Little Three". And finally Walt Disney Studios was an independent production company during the Golden Age; it was an important Hollywood entity, but not a major.

The major studios are today primarily sponsors and distributors of films whose actual production is largely handled by independent companies—either long-running entities or ones created for and dedicated to the making of a specific film. The specialty divisions often simply gain distribution rights to pictures with which the studio has had no previous involvement.

Due to having to make a trailer for our media coursework (genre being Crime & Gangster), we have to take into consideration as to what would be the most suitable production company to use. We could however, create our own production company so it would be different, but that would be time consuming and frustrating to make sure that it looks effective.

During outside of school, I did a lot of research on production companies in order to gain a more in-depth knowledge. Also, I looked back at my notes that I made in Film Studies last year as production companies was one of the main topics in AS. By having some knowledge on production companies, I am aware of what production companies used to do what kind of films and what they do now.

From what I remember from last year in Film Studies, Warner Bros. used to release mainly gangster films but over time they now release a wider range of films. Paramount gives more freedom so directors could use more of their own particular styles in the film and choose what they like and pick out what they don’t like.

When I looked on the internet, I found a table of all films that the production companies released. I looked through the films to find out the genre of them and researched on some that I haven’t heard of. I found out that all the majors released different types of films and this became a relief of mine. This means that my group and I could use any production company we’d like.

Below are one or two action/thriller film(s) for each production company that I thought would relate to our media coursework the most. These are as such:

20^th century fox:

Die Hard – It is about a New York cop (John McClane) who gives terrorists a dose of their own medicine as they hold hostages in an LA office building. Genre is a hybrid of Action and Thriller. This is similar as there are guns used throughout and the film contains violence.

Fox searchlight pictures:

Home Alone – It is about an 8-year-old boy, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, and he has to defend his home against idiotic burglars. Genre is a hybrid of Adventure, Comedy and Family. This film is fairly similar as the men act brutally and violently in order to achieve their goal.

Paramount pictures:

The Godfather – It is about the aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty who transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. Genre is a hybrid of Crime and Drama. This is very similar as it is gangster related, it is about authority and violence is present.

Vertigo - A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her. Genre is a hybrid of Crime, Mystery, Romance and Thriller. This is fairly similar as the film contains a film noir look/style to it even though the shots are not printed in black and white. The way in which they wear their costumes and how they act makes it seem like a film noir film. This is similar as the actors in our media coursework will be dressed similarly.

Columbia:

Snatch – It is about unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers, and supposedly Jewish jewellers fighting to track down a priceless stolen diamond. The genre is a hybrid of Crime and Thriller. This is fairly similar as they wear smart suits, it is violent and weapons play a big role.

Warner Bros:

A Clockwork Orange – It is about in future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge is jailed and volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society's crime problem... but not all goes to plan. Genre is a hybrid of Crime, Drama and Sci-Fi. This is very similar as they are a gang, they wear same/similar outfits and they are very rebellious.

Goodfellas – It is about Henry Hill and his friends that work their way up through the mob hierarchy. Genre is a hybrid of Biography, Crime, Drama and Thriller. This is very similar as it is gangster related, guns and smart attire are present and they are taking part in something illegal.

Universal Pictures:
Public Enemies – It is about the Feds trying to take down notorious American gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd during a booming crime wave in the 1930s. Genre is a hybrid of Biography, Drama, Crime and History. This is very similar to our media coursework as the film is gangster related; they wear dinner suits and use weapons.
After doing a lot of research, I think the best production company to use would be Paramount. Not only do you get more freedom when filming but also leverage which would be beneficial for my group and I.