Paper 2 - Jungle Book Q4
Explain how changes in production and/or distribution methods have affected the film industry. Refer to Disney's 1967 and 2016 versions of The Jungle Book to support your answer.
- in your answer you must consider how historical and economic contexts influence the production and/or distribution of mainstream films. [15 marks]
Changes in production and distribution have affected the film industry greatly. With the developments in establishing companies, not only have budgets increased since the post war slump but also the efficiency and productivity in technology. Companies like Disney have grown in size and ownership to achieve a conglomerate state, in which it dominates the film industry. Globally, along with 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers in the top 5, these mainstream companies have adapted their production and distribution according to the developments in technology.
For example, the 1967 version of The Jungle Book was deeply influenced by Walt Disney himself. This was to ensure the film didn't flop like the previous release of The Sword In The Stone. With Disney so involved in production, they were able to use a newly developed multiplane camera. The scenes were hand painted and with the use of transparent cels to create depth of field, Disney were performing ahead their time with unseen technology. This is something that came easily with a $4million budget at the time. However, the 2016 version shows vast developments in their production methods. Now with a $175million budget, Disney once again used state of the art technology (CGI). This gave them the ability to create completely realistic scenes and characters with the use of only one actor - contrasting with the 1967 version which was solely animation. Alternatively to the '67 Jungle Book, John Favreau was the one who directed and produced the film instead of Disney himself who died in 1966. With a modern crew and director, the film clearly shows how changes of production have affected the modern industry.
Additionally, distribution of the 1967 rendition was done by Buena Vista Distribution Company and globally by the international version. This is an example of Disney's vertical integration as they owned the companies. Since then, the 2016 Jungle Book was again distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, saving a great deal of finance. However, many other companies in the industry use outsourcing, which means this example of distribution for the Jungle Book doesn't represent the changes of the industry as a whole. Furthermore, the '67 film was later released on VHS in 1991 and DVD in 2007, due to the technology not being available at the time. Conversely, in 2016, the film was circulated using IMAX, 2D and 3D (which it was produced in). The release on DVD, BluRay and streaming platforms allowed a wider mass audience to be targeted and reached instantly, instead of waiting 12+ years. Unlike the original version's 3 minute long trailer, the modernised rendition used various short trailers featuring their A-list voice cast including Scarlett Johansson and Idris Elba. These trailers were shown on various platforms like ESPN and Univision to ensure the most mass audience was able to be reached in it's circulation.
These changes in the methods of production and distribution show the affect on the film industry as it is increasingly adapting and developing with every new piece of technology and growth.
- in your answer you must consider how historical and economic contexts influence the production and/or distribution of mainstream films. [15 marks]
Changes in production and distribution have affected the film industry greatly. With the developments in establishing companies, not only have budgets increased since the post war slump but also the efficiency and productivity in technology. Companies like Disney have grown in size and ownership to achieve a conglomerate state, in which it dominates the film industry. Globally, along with 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers in the top 5, these mainstream companies have adapted their production and distribution according to the developments in technology.
For example, the 1967 version of The Jungle Book was deeply influenced by Walt Disney himself. This was to ensure the film didn't flop like the previous release of The Sword In The Stone. With Disney so involved in production, they were able to use a newly developed multiplane camera. The scenes were hand painted and with the use of transparent cels to create depth of field, Disney were performing ahead their time with unseen technology. This is something that came easily with a $4million budget at the time. However, the 2016 version shows vast developments in their production methods. Now with a $175million budget, Disney once again used state of the art technology (CGI). This gave them the ability to create completely realistic scenes and characters with the use of only one actor - contrasting with the 1967 version which was solely animation. Alternatively to the '67 Jungle Book, John Favreau was the one who directed and produced the film instead of Disney himself who died in 1966. With a modern crew and director, the film clearly shows how changes of production have affected the modern industry.
Additionally, distribution of the 1967 rendition was done by Buena Vista Distribution Company and globally by the international version. This is an example of Disney's vertical integration as they owned the companies. Since then, the 2016 Jungle Book was again distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, saving a great deal of finance. However, many other companies in the industry use outsourcing, which means this example of distribution for the Jungle Book doesn't represent the changes of the industry as a whole. Furthermore, the '67 film was later released on VHS in 1991 and DVD in 2007, due to the technology not being available at the time. Conversely, in 2016, the film was circulated using IMAX, 2D and 3D (which it was produced in). The release on DVD, BluRay and streaming platforms allowed a wider mass audience to be targeted and reached instantly, instead of waiting 12+ years. Unlike the original version's 3 minute long trailer, the modernised rendition used various short trailers featuring their A-list voice cast including Scarlett Johansson and Idris Elba. These trailers were shown on various platforms like ESPN and Univision to ensure the most mass audience was able to be reached in it's circulation.
These changes in the methods of production and distribution show the affect on the film industry as it is increasingly adapting and developing with every new piece of technology and growth.
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