The Structure of American Film Industry Essay - 2262 Words

Outline the main changes the paramount decree effected on the structure of the American film industry and discuss the measures the ex-studios took to remain in control of the film market. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The period of the 1920’s to 1950’s where known as the studio era in Hollywood. A few major companies monopolized the industry through vertical integration when the film companies controlled all production distribution and exhibition. The majors determined which movies were shown in which theatres, choosing their own over others. The theatres were often palaces, about spectacle and a night out more than the movie itself. Marcus Loew said , â€Å"we sell tickets to theatres, not movies† (pg 113 , Hollywood cinema, Maltby R,†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Stars whos contracts were cut received tax breaks from investment credits in setting up their own production companies. â€Å"Burt Lancaster and his agent Harold Hecht formed the Hecht- Lancaster company in 1948 while Randolph Scott and producer Harry Joe Brown formed Ranown productions in 1955† (pg8 Hillier J , 1992, The New Hollywood). This rise in independe nt production did serve to diversify the industry as intended by the anti-trust cases. The film industry also took advantage of foreign government grants and cheaper labour by making films abroad. â€Å"between 1967 and 1972 some 45 % of the 1,200 features made by US companies- not all A pictures were made abroad† (pg8 Hillier J , 1992, The New Hollywood). The independents did not have the distribution facilities the majors had and their companies were set up to produce only one or two movies at a time. The big studios stepped in to co-finance the distribution of independent productions. â€Å"The rolling production programme of the studio system was replaced by one-off independent productions backed by a studio for all or part of their financing† (pg 9 Hillier J , 1992, The New Hollywood). As well as finance the studio backing the independent production would also rent them studio facilities. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The studios possessed lucrative assets from the studio era. The large studio lots were prime real estate and they hadShow MoreRelatedThe Main Changes That the Paramount Decree Effected on the Structure of the American Film Industry and the Measures the Ex-Studios Took to Remain in Control of the Film Market2265 Words   |  10 PagesOutline the main changes the paramount decree effected on the structure of the American film industry and discuss the measures the ex-studios took to remain in control of the film market. The period of the 1920s to 1950s where known as the studio era in Hollywood. A few major companies monopolized the industry through vertical integration when the film companies controlled all production distribution and exhibition. 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