5 big ideas about film

1) During the Great Depression, 5 movie companies solidified themselves as the kings of the movie industry. The movie industry kings were MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Universal & Columbia. All of these movie companies are still super powers in today's movie industry, showing just how successful they have been throughout the years. Some have had to merge with each other along the way (MGM merged with United Artists) in order to stay afloat.. These 5 are still fairly powerful in movie industry today.
2) Between the 1950s and 1970s, the big 5 took a major hit, with RKO, becoming extinct and others merging alone with Disney rising tremendously. Following the death of the studio system, a new film industry model emerged: the financing-distribution model. Unlike the studio system, this new system relied on outside financing to create film. Distribution companies would find theaters to circulate the film and often help the initial projects financing. This model divides up the pie of revenue even more. The old model was that, the studio made the film and spent the money. The studio would get the majority of the revenue and give all the actors, director and crew their promised share. Now instead of just those three getting the money, they also have to give all of the outside investors their promised percentage of the income. This makes profits very spread out and much smaller for each party. It makes no difference for the actor and director but it does make a big difference for the studio.
3)Beginning in the mid-1960s, and paralleling the social and cultural revolutions shaking the United States at the time, Hollywood studios began to exploit the deregulation of film content by introducing more sex and violence. To deal with this trend, the MPAA introduced its new Motion Picture Ratings System in 1968 which allowed studios to test the waters with more controversial content. In turn, films began to feature previously taboo subjects such as drug addiction, prostitution, and childbirth. These changes in the ratings system, which reflected the audiences changing tastes did not hinder box office sales. In fact, ticket sales increased, demonstrating the American audience's interest in these new trends in film content. These trends are still around today. Due to this groundwork laid by studios in the 1960s, there is nothing that is off limits for movies. No movie studio is afraid to go to far due to the MPAA and we as a society love when the proverbial envelope is pushed.
4) Bill Abbot and Stan Winston are credited as the key special effects pioneers in 20th century film making. There special effects are nothing compared to today, but their attempts with creating special effects, and their success, paved the way to what we see today. Special effects today play a huge part in movies. James Cameron's Avatar for example, created an entire fictional world using special effects. It is such an eye opening and amazing visual experience just to watch that movie. None of these incredible CGI or special effects movies would be possible if these two men did not take that risk of trying. Although I doubt they would've ever thought their idea would have transformed into what it is today, they would still be more then pleased with the results of their ideas.
5)Studios previously relied on box-office proceeds to recoup their costs and as the primary source of their profits. Today so many things will help boost the profits of a studio's movie. Aside from box office sales their are DVD sales which can significantly boost profits. Also if the movie is a big enough hit and produces a big audience, they could make a video game about the movie, which can boost profits. Then movie rentals from either Verizon fios or netflix will also boost profits for the studio. There are so many different outlets for studios to turn a profit on their movie now a days.