The Big 6

Today, there are 6 major film distribution companies such as:

1) Warner Brothers: Comprising a whopping 19.7 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Warner Bros. Pictures is the biggest player in the film industry. Securing the rights to major films like Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, The Matrix and Star Wars have made Warner Bros. the No. 1 name in the business.

 

What makes a film like Harry Potter successful and eye capturing is that it has the ability to take the audience into a fantasy world; detaching them from their everyday live. The use of green screen effects makes these movies extra special because the movie becomes more magical and therefore interesting, such as when they are flying on a broomstick. As the majority of the target audience is young adults, they would be drawn into these supernatural abilities and the visual effects create a sense of excitement, increasing the adrenaline rush in the audience.

2) Paramount Pictures: With 15.5 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Paramount Pictures continues to be one of the most successful film production companies in the world. Star Trek, War of the Worlds, the Mission Impossible series, Transformers and Tropic Thunder are just a few of the popular films produced by Paramount Pictures.

 This film appears exciting because of the incredible use of visual effects in this film, such as the air raids around the city. As things like this do not happen in real life, this movie, like the Harry Potter one, enters us into a different world which makes us immediately drawn in by. Throughout the whole trailer there is a sense of excitement by the sound effects, the powerful buildings and costumes that the characters are wearing and the transformers themselves.  They are capturing to us because of the superior way they have been made, and their strength and power further heightens our adrenaline.

3)  Walt Disney: One of the most renowned film production companies in the history of the business, Walt Disney now holds 15.3 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). With highly successful movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, Meet the Robinsons and Enchanted, there's no doubt that Disney will continue to play a key role in the industry for years to come.

 The Pirates of the Caribbean is a popular movie because they the exciting use of locations and scenery they have used (such as at the beginning) attract the audiences, as well as the whole concept of Pirates. The cast is also very crucial when making a highly successful film, and I think that Johnny Depp fulfills this role because he is able to provide humor without even trying, making him perfect for the main role. 

4) Columbia Picture: Comprising 12.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Columbia Pictures remains a big player in the business. Some of this company's recent successes include Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, the Spider-Man series and Step Brothers.

 The Spider-man series is also a very successful movie project. One reason could be is because of the inhuman capabitlity the main character possesses, which gives him power than the rest of us as he, such as jumping over building. This therefore creates excitement by these super human qualities and the fact that he appears like a normal man is further mesmerizing. The fast cutting between the spider-man jumping from one building onto another one adds to the tension and excitement of the movie, making it to appeal to its young adult audience.

5) Universal Studios: 12.2 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures) belongs to Universal Studios, which continues to make millions for the film industry. With major hits like the Bourne series (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum), The American Pie series, Knocked Up, American Gangster and The Incredible Hulk, it's very clear that Universal Studios knows what it takes to make money in this industry.

 The American Pie series are popular because of its humour. The cast in these movies are able to entertain us throughout the movie, and the constant partying and 'easy' life which they are living in makes it appealing to any young adult viewer watching and so keeps them interested.

 6)  20th Century Fox: Also known as "Twentieth Century Fox," this highly successful movie production company makes up 11.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). Some of the biggest and most successful movies from this empire include the X-Men series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Star Wars Episodes II and III, and the Fantastic Four.

This is also a popular and successful movie because the characters powerful abilities, the violence, fast paced action and heroic clothing create a thrilling sense of vitality and so would not keep the audience watching bored or disinterested. With the use of air raids in the air this further increases the excitement and the dramatic  music that goes along with these fast paced actions really overwhelming, gripping its audience into the movie.