Technology

1) Why have attendances increased?
One reason attendances have increased is due to the recent film developments such as HD, IMAX, 3D and high frame rate. These developments enhance the audience's experience and allow for more technologically advanced films to be released - thus increasing the amount of people attending the cinema.

2) What is DFP and the VPF?
Digital Funding Partnership - many UK cinema operators aren't able to get the funding to convert their cinema to digital technology. The DFP creates an opportunity for many small and medium sized cinema oporators to be able to do this - it was established with the UK Film Council's support and has continued to work with the BFI.
Virtual Print Fee - where a film distributor subsidises the purchase of digital cinema projection equipment for the film exhibitor to use at film premiers. A fee is paid per movie booking - this is so studios can redistribute the savings when using digital distribution as opposed to film print.

3) What may happen to those who don't use the DFP?
Those who don't use the DFP and can't afford to convert to digital technology won't be able to screen the new films that are made specifically for this type of technology. Smaller cinema chains could end up going bust because of this and the larger chain cinemas will grow.

4) What problems face 'alternative content'?
Delivery on content via satellite has allowed cinemas to show 'alternative content' like the opera, ballet, theatre, music and sporting events. Cinema's would face the issue of gaining the rights (BBFC Classification Fees) to show the events which is very costly.

1) What are the benefits of 3D films for audiences and the producer?
Cinemas can charge more for a ticket to see a 3D film - increasing their profit and the overall amount of 3D screen instalment in cinemas. In 2005, there were 98 screens worldwide and in 2012 there were 43,000 screens. More 3D films are being released each year and they're earning money. This benefits the audience because more 3D films will be produced which will then provide entertainment for them.

2) What are the negatives of 3D films for audiences and the producer?

Disney re-releases have seen a decline in opening weekend grosses and overall box office. Evidence of this can be seen left where all 5 Disney films (Toy Story, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc) have low opening weekend and domestic gross figures. Obviously this is a negative for the producer as they're loosing money but it's also a negative for audiences who aren't able to see new films - just old ones that have been re-released in a different format.



3) What makes a successful 3D film according to Working Title Films?
Working Title believe that if a film is intended to be shot in 3D then it works well - especially for animation as it's "perfect". However, they're not currently working on anything 3D as they sometimes still shoot using film (like in Anna Karenina).

1) What is a prosumer? 
The 'prosumer' is a combination of a producer and consumer - they represent a new category of customers. They are identified as:

• needing to be connected to family and work anytime, anywhere
• wanting to use simple solutions
• being interested in entertainment
• wanting to access files easily at home and work
• being mobile and owning several portable devices
• being frequent internet users at work and home.

2) What are the benefits and negatives of a proliferation of hardware and content?

Downloading from unofficial sources requires new technology - much like piracy. Limewire, Youtube and multiple other online websites allow anyone access to numerous illegal film copies and pirate copies. This is down to the convergence of technology and the affordability to do it - therefore, control is moved from the institution to the audience. As a result, the smaller companies are effected because they aren't able to profit if copies are illegally being made of their films. 

3) How are producers using converged devices to promote and distribute content?

It's easier for films to be produced and distributed due to digital technology being introduced and developed. Convergence refers to the linking of information technologies, media content and communication networks. Direct-to-theatre satellite and internet to distribute have been developing and occur more frequently now when distributing content. Prints are liable to get damaged in transit and transporting them is fairly costly - so having a satellite that transmits the film is fast and easy. Also, another example would be smart phones with apps such as Netflix that can be downloaded. Over the last 10 years smart phones have declined in price - allowing a wider range of people to access the promotional and distributed content.