HBO case study old media informing new

Today I will be explaining how Home Box Office incorporated(HBO) is a perfect example of how older forms of media inform newer media forms and markets, through a look back at the history and development of HBO and its impact on today’s media markets. This in depth look of television’s and HBO’s interrelated pasts will show that old media can inform new media by demonstrating the importance of being on the leading edge of technology as well proving that it is essential for new media forms be able to adapt to the times and preferences of its consumers. HBO started in 1971 with an economic model that was completely different from the commercial model of the big three; HBO used the Pay TV model which charged a subscription fee to its viewers. This practice wasn’t well liked in the beginning but once viewers realized that HBO programing had far less commercial interruptions, same if not greater viewing quality, and the capability to broadcast live international events it quickly became “the gold standard for pay television”. HBO past experience with near failure caused by not providing programing that met viewer expectations caused the company to restructure to catch up with the times and meet viewer needs in 1995. Coming after the radio and film industries, TV knew that having the best technology, picture quality, and up to date programing were crucial for success in the media industry. Knowing this HBO lead the way for satellite broad casting, miniseries, and edgy programing. As demonstrated by its ability to air sporting events across the globe and edgy shows such as “The Sopranos” or “Sex and the City”. In short, HBO has learned its lesson from older television media and programing and has adapted itself so that it can change with viewer preferences and technological advances.

Thomas Rakowitz: TV - Adapting For Tomorrow

Today I will be discussing how television is adapting to cope with the new media that we have today, adapting with what we have and see how it integrates with the film industry and the Internet. In 1956, two thirds of the United States population had purchased televisions. As of 2008, it is estimated that there are 327 million television sets. That is quite the jump, but not all of those televisions are being used how they used to. Where televisions in the old days were more of family gathering places, television has seemingly been replaced with computers, video games, and other forms of new media. The fact that television shows can now be watched on the Internet doesn’t help either.

But the industry is adapting to this. Putting a lot of priority on user-generated shows that involve voting has brought in huge audiences, such as America’s Got Talent. There are even shows that are using the audience to create the show. Will Wright, the creator of The Sims, is working on a show for Current TV, called “The Creation Project”. It could lead to a surge in how shows play out, and what it means to really write shows.

Along with new shows, the television industry is adapting with technology. Netflix and TV’s with Internet capabilities are flooding the market, changing the way we use them. Netflix allows us to watch movies that can be downloaded directly to the TV, if we so choose and are capable of doing so. TV’s that can access the Internet have apps to keep consumers updated without having to reach for their mobile phone or laptop.

As television adapts, the consumers change their demands. The television industry will adapt, but it is looking as if they are keeping up a good pace.

RESPONSE:

The class seemed to understand what I was talking about with the user-generated content business. I wish I could have been more helpful on the technology front when asked about the price of Google TV. I'm also glad to learn that there is a productive user-generated content channel within Current TV.

For this project, I learned about how old forms of media inform new media. It seems to me that old protocols and decisions about content are reflected in how we observe new media. The idea to keep certain regulations, borrow others from different industries, and the sharing of audiences come from our old forms of media. The user-generated content came from the audience's need to have their input matter and the industry's need to make cheaper shows.

Morgan Burcham-Hollywood and Bollywood Comparison

Today I am going to present on the marketing differences between Bollywood and Hollywood. They have a lot of things in common, but they also have many similarities that I will explore further in the presentation.

One of the largest differences I have found in my research is how Bollywood is about 10-20 years behind of whatever the technology is.

During my presentation I will look at one film in particular that has joined the two, Hollywood and Bollywood, to create a mega moneymaker.

Everything that is happening in the world today in films is catching on so quickly and Hollywood is maybe losing a little bit of their personal touch. While Bollywood is keeping theirs intact.

Response:

I feel like the class agreed with me in the fact that Bollywood has a direction to go and Hollywood has already reached their peak. This topic is something I consider very interesting. Combining these two things can create a wonderful product. An example of a combination of these two products is Slumdog Millionaire.

Bollywood affects Hollywood with their style of films. An example of this is the film Moulin Rouge this film was said to have based this off of the Bollywood style.

Hollywood has affected Bollywood by the product advertisements in films and by taking american films over to Middle eastern countries and creating jobs and a new industry.

Film - Michelle Blevins

Today in class, I will present a case study on the website hitRECord.org and social media's impact on digital film. This website is an online, fully functional production company created by the Hollywood actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He describes the site as a place for everyone interested to submit their work and collaborate with others to make art, especially films. They have even premiered a few of the products at the Sundance Film Festival and South by Southwest in Austin. I researched how production companies like this one have developed and function within, or rather alongside, the traditional film industry.

I will begin my presentation by discussing the advances in technology that made companies like this one possible. The transition to digital film began in the traditional film industry with advances like computer animation, green screen technology, and especially non-linear editing. The increase in availability of high-quality editing tools and high definition cameras removed the power from studio executives, and placed it in the hands of the willing public. Those who wanted to make movies now had the ability to do so. Making a film was never a cheap endeavor for an individual or a small group, but they had the potential of making a profit down the line.

This website is one step farther than a regular independent film production company. It's online! The benefits of having an online production company is that you can communicate from anywhere. There isn't any need to meet in a conference room or all live in one city. People on hitRECord collaborate from around the world. In this way, the increase in competition helps the talented filmmakers and worthwhile productions really rise to the top. There is even a liking system on the website for collaborators to promote their favorite works.

While I'm uncertain on whether a company like this one could ever actually rival the traditional studios, I really applaud Joseph Gordon-Levitt on this endeavor. I think this use of new media and audience involvement really brings something new to the film industry. At the least, I think this will hold studios accountable for their products and their production systems. They now have a check on their power, no matter how small. While hitRECord is a quite novel situation in the scope and success of its product, I hope that the film industry can, in this way, embrace new media even more and find the best talent out there to keep our entertainment of exceptional quality.

Film: Rene Ruiz

Later on this evening I will be presenting my case study on the topic of film and how new media industries are shaping media audiences. I decided to focus in on the DreamWorks Movie Company and Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is one of the co-founders of DreamWorks and chief executive/head of the animation department. Katzenberg has made it his mission to bring the 3D film into the spotlight. He is the self proclaimed ‘3D evangelist”.

Overall my presentation will be mostly about the new movement of 3D films in the movie industry and how they are now shaping the audiences all around the country. In my presentation I will first give a little background on 3D film, the DreamWorks movie company and Jeffrey Katzenberg. The bulk of my presentation will be about Katzenberg and his actions which are pushing this new phenomenon of 3D film. Some of his actions include partnering with major directors and producers such as Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, and James Cameron. He worked with producer James Cameron to create a new 3D, high definition camera, which improved the quality of 3D film dramatically. He also speaks publicly about 3D films wherever and whenever he can. Katzenberg also speaks personally with theatre managers persuading them to embrace this new technology and run with it. As a result of the work of Katzenberg and DreamWorks, the phenomenon of 3D film has been growing rapidly; this is evident in revenues and earnings of movie theatres and movie companies around the world. Like with any other new innovation there are of course critics of 3D film and I will also briefly touch on their arguments and problems that they say they have with this new movement. The movie industry as a whole seems to be embracing this movement with open arms, with DVD sales decreasing, 3D movies are making up revenue for them.

This new 3D film movement is catching on and spreading rapidly. Katzenberg and DreamWorks have been like pioneers in this new phenomenon. Katzenberg even believes that this 3D movement will spread to the home, eventually to television, video games, and even laptops and cell phones.