How does ‘cross media convergence and synergy in production distribution and marketing’ impact on film

production companies such as Warp Pictures and Working

Titles?Rachael Sampson

My previous Powerpoint/Slideshare showed the definition of ‘cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing’ and also the definitions of technological and media convergence.

This is looking at how it effects Warp and Working Titles.

Firstly, a little background knowledge on Warp and Working Titles.

Warp Pictures

Warp Pictures was first launched in 2001, leading its way into great independent British filmmaking. The low-budget film company has been given many successes such as Baftas. Warp now includes Warp Records. Creating films, tv adverts and music videos. It is based in London and Sheffield.

Some of Warp Pictures films have been: This Is England, My Wrongs, Submarine, Dead Man’s Shoes, Rubber Johnny and Four Lions.

Working Titles

Working Titles is a company founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radcliffe in 1983. 51% of Working Titles is owned by NBC universal, an American company, which makes people question if Working Titles films are truly British. The collaboration with NBC has given it a bigger budget to spend on filmmaking.

It has produced films such as Billy Elliot, Shaun Of The Dead, Notting Hill, About A Boy and Sid and Nancy

How does this Effect WP and WT?

• Both benefit from technological convergence created by a digital cinema

• Both benefit from cross media convergence as means to market their production

• Both can display their products in new and different ways

• Costs have dropped – good for Warp Pictures (low budget competitor)

• Warp Pictures benefit from cheaper production costs (online – free.

• Word and mouth, such as Twitter) and the ability to distribute more effectively

• Working Titles benefit also because it means CGI and special effects are cheaper (for example wide-scale DVD sales and simplistic special effects are easier to include into media with the development of technology)