Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Understanding the Creative Media SectorTask 1

A Summary Review of "MY Media." In this task I had to make a presentation on a news event, a website and technology that I use. P1

News Story

Ebola Outbreak My news story was about the Ebola outbreak which happened in Africa in 2014. Ebola is spread by mosquitos and 59 people dead in this outbreak. In the PowerPoint presentation, I talked about some of the facts about the virus, I also highlighted that the virus could spread to the rest of the world. In order to stop the virus from spreading, planes and other transports where sprayed with insecticide. I have also provided a link to video, where a Doctor from “Lancaster University” explains to the viewer, about the virus and when it first was discovered. A news website called "CBS" warned that the world needs to be prepared for the next health crisis.

History about the Virus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4GhYGlyXsI

News Report http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-says-world-underprepared-ebola-level-outbreaks/

Website YouTube is a website where people share ideas, music, tutorials, reviews, gaming and movies through videos. I like to use “YouTube” because there is a variety of different YouTubers that will do videos on all sorts of topics. Both game companies and studios will also use “YouTube” where they would upload trailers. I also use “YouTube” to upload my videos, such as “NWRC Glow Run”, “Christmas Jumpers”, Halloween videos etc. People can also go onto my “YouTube” and watch them.

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Technology When I was creating my PowerPoint presentation, I decided that I would do a review on a “Lumia 550” smartphone (Microsoft) where I talked about some of the features, such as Facebook, YouTube, camera, etc. I was able to use my “Lumia” phone to take pictures for a stop motion project for college. My phone has a feature where I can see my photos and I am also able to make calls. The phone also has a calendar, time and I; am also able to download games as well.

21 st Century Media Report - P1 Tasks 2&3

In this part of the task I will talk about media organisations & companies that are operate in the 21st Century, I will also give examples as well.

Case Studies.The three case studies I will be presenting here are,

1. Netflix. (multi-national)2. BBC, (National) 3. Zanzibar Studios.4. Samson

As part of the assignment, we were asked to present case studies on a multi-national company, a national company and a local company.

The Multinational Company, NetflixNetflix is a multi-national company that specialises in the production and distribution of film, TV drama and documentaries.

Netflix's Organisational ObjectiveAccording to their corporate website, Netflix's primary goal is to provide audiences with a variety of different TV shows, movies, documentaries and original TV shows. Netflix is a popular service that is accessed online and it has over 93 million members.

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Structure and Ownership of Netflix Netflix is a private sector company headed by a Senior Management Team with eight members. The company was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings.

Reed Hastings, Founder and CEO.In 1991, Reed founded Pure Software, which made tools for software developers. After a 1995 IPO, and several acquisitions, Pure was acquired by Rational Software in 1997. The rest of the Senior Management Team includes,

Jonathan Friedland, Chief Communications Officer Kelly Bennett, Chief Marketing Officer Neil Hunt, Chief Product Officer David Hyman, General Counsel Greg Peters, International Development Officer Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer David Wells, Chief Finance Officer

Performance against financial concernsAt the end of 2016, Netflix earned in excess of 8.8 billion US Dollars. This is a rise from 3.6B five years ago, so it has a very good balance sheet. The company currently earns 25% profit over its outgoings. Netflix believes that major series such as, Marvel’s Luke Cage, The Crown, Black Mirror and Gilmore Girls are having a very positive impact on their audience appeal and ultimately on their profitability. They have also begun to notice that programmes produced in non-English-speaking countries such as the Brazilian TV series, "3%" are being avidly watched in the English-speaking world. As a result, they have discovered the drama, in their own words, crosses international borders easily. This has led Netflix to be extremely optimistic about their prospects for success over the next 10 years.

Netflix has identified its major competitor as being, Amazon Prime Video. It is however aware that there are many new Internet-based services emerging across the world. It specifically mentions that the BBC has become the first major linear network to announce plans to present entire box set series for "binge viewing" before the series are broadcast on terrestrial TV. According to Netflix it is becoming an Internet TV world. Some online services like iTunes had an advantage over Netflix because they can make some films and TV series available before Netflix. For example, iTunes could make the blockbuster movies, Restring and Rogue One available on their service.

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Sources of Income (Pay Pre-View)When a new user signs up to their website, they will get a free trial first. Then the user will have to pay a fee, the user can also decide what price they want to be charged; they can choose from:

Basic £5.99 Standard £7.49 Premium £8.99

(The user will also be charged monthly as well)

In this diagram, it shows you that the company has different prices that users can choose from, it will also highlight that prices have different feathers as well.

Product Placement This technique (Product Placement) allows companies to market their product on TV shows, movies and games. For example, a company called “OnePlus” paid Netflix $300,000 (£212,000) to have their (Smart Phone) product on a TV show called House of Cards.

Case Study 2, The BBC

What does Public Ownership Mean? This is where an organization (BBC) is not profit driven as they are providing a service to the public, the BBC will also get their funding from the UK Government and members of the public. In this document I will also talk about the BBC and what they do.

What is the BBC (National)?

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

The BBC is a national (and multi-national) organisation, that provides TV shows, news, documentary’s and drama. The BBC also broadcasts on numerous radio stations, some national such as “Radio 2” and other more local and regional channels like “Radio Foyle”. The BBC is Britain’s public broadcaster and is governed by Royal Charter. The BBC does not seek to make a profit on its operations but it must work within a budget agreed by Government. The BBC’s main objective is to inform, educate and entertain the public.

Media Industries - National - Public Service Media - case study 1

What is the Royal Charter?The Royal Charter" is a formal document, which allows the BBC to be independent of the Government and have a right to exist. The Royal Charter also explains how the BBC should be governed as well. The Royal Charter is reviewed every ten years following a review by the Government.

How the BBC is Governed and held Accountable to the Public?Under the new terms of the new “Royal Charter”, the BBC Trust (Governing Body) will be scrapped and Ofcom will (Broadcasting Code) regulate the BBC. I have also provided a link as well.

BBC Trust has Endedhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust

What is Ofcom? In the UK, there is an organization called “Ofcom”, they are also independent. Their duty is to regulate the TV channels and radio stations, they also make sure that both TV and radio give a variety of different programmes that meet the needs of the audience. If a broadcast break one of their rules, they could be fined or even face an investigated by Ofcom. People can also complain to “Ofcom” about a TV Programmed they saw and they’re not happy about it, this could be from misleading and offensive material. Ofcom also a rule called “watershed” this to make sure that shows that is aimed towards adults are after 9pm, this is stop children from seeing adult shows.

Structure and Ownership of the BBC The BBC was founded on 18 October 1922, and John Reith became the BBC's manager on 14 December 1922, the BBC got their first Royal Charter in January 1927. The BBC has senior Management Teams; this will include:

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Tim Davie, The CEO of the BBC Ric Bailey , Chief Adviser, Politics Mark Bell , Commissioning Editor, Arts Kay Benbow , Controller, CBeebies Philip Bernie , Head of TV Sport Anne Bulford , Managing Director, Operations and Finance Donald-Iain Brown , Head of Talent & Change, BBC Scotland Charlotte Moore, Director of Content Mark Linsey, Director of BBC Studios Matthew Postgate, Chief Technology and Product Officer

Income The BBC gets their income from the license fee; this is where people who are living in the UK must pay the License fee, which is £145.50. As the BBC gets their funding from the License fee, they don’t have adverts on their TV channel. I have also provided a diagram to show how the money is distributed across the BBC’s operations. The diagram shows how the BBC spends money in TV and in Radio.

Where does the money go towards?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/14/how-does-the-bbc-spend-its-5bn-in-licence-fee-money/

Cross media The BBC has an IPlayer, where viewers can watch TV shows and movies that they have missed. The BBC also a news website where users can go onto it and see what things that are happing in the word, such as in Turkey, North Korea, Russia etc.

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

CompetitorsThe BBC’s main competitors are the other terrestrial broadcasters as well as streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. To combat this, the BBC has invested heavily in its own streaming service on iPlayer and is even now making some programmes available as box-sets ahead of being broadcast on TV.

What is a Media Multinational?The BBC has their main Head Quarters in “London”, however the BBC has buildings in N. Ireland and in Scotland. The BBC would also have radio stations and news programmes, in those areas as well.

In this part of the task, I will talk about Ownership in media, this will also include Monopoly Media Broadcaster, Vertical etc.

Case study 3 Zanzibar Films.

Independent Producers and how to they operate? In this part of the task, I will talk about two independent producers and I will also give examples what they do. A company called “Zanzibar Films” would be consered as an independent producer, they would get their funding from private investors and from “EU Media Programme”, Irish Film Board”, Northern Ireland Screen” etc. The purpose of this company is to make films, Documentaries and TV shows. I will also talk about some of the movies that they work on, below.

For my course, I also did a case study using Microsoft PowerPoint on a local film studio called Zanzibar Films based in Dublin which I presented to the class.

Structure and Ownership of Zanzibar Films

Edwina Forkin, CEO of Zanzibar films Marie Caffrey, Short Film Producer Cashell Horgan, CEO in Africa Richard Scobie - (Director and Scriptwriter)

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Iarlaith Forkin, Danny Brennan & Marie Caffrey (Short Films) Soraya Power (Marketing Cannes)

Product Range The company is a leading Irish feature film production company. Their primary goal is to make and produce movies, they also ensure that the film is of high quality and entertaining as well. They have made productions including "Penance", "Less Than Human ", "Dead book" and "The Cause of Progress”. The company would also make documentary's, an example would be “Good cake, Bad Cake”, “The Breaking Boundaries” and “A Door Ajar”.

Some of their movies have won awards, for example “New Boy” This movie is a short film and was made in 2007 and tells the story of Joseph, a 9-year-old African boy. It won 15 awards and it was also nominated for the Oscars (best short film) as well. Another movie that won an award was “Sanctuary”, It won the best Irish feature in Galway Film Festival.

Sources of income Zanzibar gets funding from a number of sources, including,

• Private Financing, • The EU Media Programme, • The Irish Film Board, • Northern Ireland Screen and various international

distribution channels.

Employment Opportunities Zanzibar Films were making a movie which was shot locally in Derry and Donegal, Penance. They asked volunteers to be an extra in the movie.

Personal Experience of Creative Media IndustriesI myself took part in the production of Penance with Zanzibar and we had to wear costumes in keeping with the style of the 1970’s. We filmed at the “Long Tower Church” in “Bishop Street” (Derry). The director was Tom Collins. When I was on location at the Church I saw the director and I got to see the industry standard equipment they used as well. My other industry experiences include media competitions, commissions and contracts with NWRC to produce

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

marketing and documentary films for cross college projects. (You will see examples of these in my show reel). 1

CustomersAs the company creates movies for viewers to watch, their target audience is people who like watching movies. Also, as they also produce short films they tour the International short film circuit. RTE and TG 4 are regular customers of the company.

Competitors in IrelandThere is a variety of different businesses that would also make films, and some of the movie studios would have big budgets to produce their movies as well, this will include “Element Pictures," "Samson Films" etc.

National and Global Competition and TrendsIn the digital media world of today where there are very large production studios like Netflix, Sky and Amazon Prime, it can be very hard for a smaller company like Zanzibar to make money. They must find niche markets for specialist films like “Penance” and short films like “The New Boy”

Career ChoiceZanzibar StudiosI liked working on the "Penance." where I got to be in the movie and seeing the different props they used in the movie. I would work with the company again, as an extra, editor or camera man. I have some experience working in those areas.

As I like editing videos on “Premiere Pro” I would like to edit TV shows for BBC, ITV and RTE. When I was working in a TV studio (Millie- in-between) called “Black staff Studios” in Belfast, I was a runner where I worked in a team and helped the staff with equipment. I am also able to work with clients, an example is “Christmas Jumpers” and “NWRC Glow Run”. The Clients really liked the finished project.

Evidence of my own Industry Experience as an Independent Producer (2) 1 Assignment 2 Careers – www.

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

Christmas Jumpers video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqzLzcymZno&t=1s

NWRC Glow Run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aut3Fd4k5M

Case Study 3 Independent Producer “Samson Films” is also be an independent producer, and they specialize in making movies. Their website is very professionally organized and it gives the viewer a clear picture of the movies they have produced. The movies they worked on, this will include Moth Diaries, Milo, Stay etc. The website also tells the viewer some information about the movie, this is to give an idea what the movie is about. They also provided images of the movies as well. The company has also worked with famous actors/actress, this will include “Ciaran Hinds” “Richard Coyle”, “Maxine Clark” etc. The company would also get their funding from “Irish film Board” and EU Media Programme. Their website is professionally layout out because they have a movie icon, home, news and team. You will notice from the photo below, they only give the viewer a small description about the movie. They also got another company called “Accomplice Television” their main role is to make TV shows, this will include “Sarah and Steve”, “Dan and Becs”, “Pure Mule”.

The website lists the following four senior people working at Samson Films.:

1. David Collins, Managing Director and Producer

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

2. Laura Mc Nicholas, Production Executive3. Claire McCabe, Production Executive 4. Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair, Development Executive

3 commercially licensed broadcasters and how they are Funded? In this part of the task I will talk about TV channels and how they are funded, this will include “Channel 4”, “ITV” and “Dave”. These TV channels are different from the BBC, as they are in private sector as they need to attract funding from other sources including advertisements. These TV channels will also need to sell their TV programmes to third parties as well. If a company wanted to advertise their products or services on “ITV”, the TV channel will give them a rate card, where it will have different prices that the company can chose from. I have also provided a photo (below) to show you “ITV’s” rate card, you will notice that ITV has different prices for different regions as well.

What is Horizontal Integration mean? The term “Horizontal Integration” means that two similar companies will merge within each other, this only happens if they are making the same product. This also allows companies to expand their ownership portfolios. This allows the company to a variety of different products and save money as well. A company called “Disney” had used this technique to buy another company called “Pixar”.

What is Vertical Integration mean?A company such as “Apple” will use this technique (Vertical Integration) to expand their company, this happens when a company buys the company that (Backward Vertical) supplied them with goods or services. The suppler can only give the goods/services to the

Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media SectorAssignment 1 – Media Industries P1 - Eoin Kenny

company that bought them. There is also a term called “Forward Vertical”, this is where a company would buy companies, such as shops that allows them to target members of the public.

What is Media Monopoly mean? This is where a company has bought other companies that might be in competition with them. By having a monopoly, the company can control and raise the prices of the products. This is to is stop other companies competing against them. Sometimes, the Government can step in and they will use an Act called “Antitrust Laws” to stop companies getting too much control. In this way the Government is able to create more competition in market place and the public have a variety of different products to choose from. A person can also use this technique to buy other companies an example is Robert Murdoch. He is trying to buy a company called “Sky.” In the UK, there is an organisation called “Ofcom” where they would do an investigation into this deal. If the deal goes ahead then he would have complete control over Sky News, The Times, Sunday Times etc.

News Report on the Dealhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mr/16/rupert-murdoch-sky-bid-uk-ofcom

Sources BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/insidethebbc/managementstructure/biographies/staffbiographies