Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials / 7 Key Areas

The Scorch Trials - 7 Key Areas

Temple Hill Productions or Temple Hill Entertainment is an American based film and television production company, established in 2006 by producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen.

In development: 40 in development titles for Temple Hill Entertainment.

Temple Hill Productions are known for the films that include: 'Twilight' (2008), 'The Fault In Our Stars' (2014), 'Paper Towns' (2015), 'Tracers' (2015), 'Dear John' (2010), 'The Longest Ride' (2015), 'Eclipse' (2010), The Twilight Saga:'Breaking Dawn - Part 1' (2011), The Twilight Saga;'Breaking Dawn - Part 2' (2012), 'The Maze Runner' (2014), 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' (2015), 'The Nativity Story' (2006), 'Everything Must Go' (2010), 'Safe Haven' (2013).

They also produced all of the episodes from the TV show 'Revenge', which was made in the ABC family studios in the United States. They produced several episodes of the ABC family show 'Once Upon A Time also.

The company are known for 129 pieces of work over there time in practice, but above are just a few popular works they've achieved.

1. The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary (current) media practice. 

In reality, bigger film companies make bigger profit amounts with the films they make. It is harder for a smaller production company to get noticed in the media, and therefore it is more of a struggle to make as much money on their piece of work, whether it be a TV show or a film. The big productions companies are known as the 'Big 6'. These are companies that have companies branched off them in order to make more money and these are the companies that everyone in general really know. They have the most money so they can make films with theoretically, the best props, staging and actors. The 'Big 6' are: 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Sony Entertainment Pictures and Walt Disney Studios. Budgets that companies have, literally determine how well the company does with their film/ TV show. It has the control of every element used in the film and it also creates relationships between the audience and the film. The audience are the most important element of a film at the end of the day, as this is the main way of the making of money. 

'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials', was produced by Temple Hill Productions, Gotham Group and TSG Entertainment. 

Temple Hill Productions company, is owned by 2 producers (Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen). They created the company in 2006 when the 2 producers felt they could make some money of their own back. The production company isn't included in the 'Big 6' or the 'Big 8' of production companies, but they do make a lot of profit from the films they produce. This is because, especially with 'The Maze Runner' and 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials', they had teamed up with 20th Century Fox (member of the 'Big 6'). 20th Century Fox actually did most of the distributing for the film; 'The Scorch Trials'. The film was distributed by them to the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Japan, Singapore, Argentina, USA, Chile and Germany. 'Big 2 Pictures' distributed the film to Portugal and 'Cocinsa' distributed the film to Nicaragua. 'Odeon' distributed the film to Greece. Warner Bros were responsible for distributing the film to the Philippines and the Netherlands. 'Westec Media Limited' released the film in Cambodia and finally, 'Hispano Foxfilms'  distributed the film in Spain. 20th Century Fox did the majority of the film distributing around the world. The role of the distributor, is obviously a lot different to the role of the production company. A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. Temple Hill Productions, teamed up with 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros, because the bigger companies can make them the success. In fact, Twentieth Century Fox Television Studios has closed a two-year development with Temple Hill, through which Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey and Albert Page will contribute new projects to the studio. This way links are made to cinemas and other companies, that can promote the film before it gets released. 

'The Scorch Trials' had a budget of $61 million. This budget was almost double of what the first film in the trilogy ('The Maze Runner'), was sent. Because the first film did so well in the box office, over the year the company have got recognition and money for their great work - therefore can put forward a bigger budget for the next film - so they can enable it to be better than the first.

2. The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production distribution and marketing.

Nowadays, everyone on planet earth has at least one type of media convergence, (sometimes classed as a 'media hub'). These hardware devices enable us to download films etc. onto our devices like our IPad, laptop, tablet, IPhone etc.. This causes more immediate distribution for the film and the company get more profit from the amount of devices their film can be watched on. Or they couldn't benefit it someone has placed a film on sites like 'Putlocker', which is extremely illegal. It's important for the production company to get on top of things and make sure their film isn't being viewed on wherever it shouldn't be. For 'The Scorch Trials', which is still showing in cinemas now, it shouldn't be available for members of the public to watch elsewhere - but it is. You'll find a large amount of films, blockbusters, even bigger than 'The Maze Runner' and 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' will find a way to get themselves onto sites online. Personally, going to the cinema to see the film is a better experience, but some people don't mind watching a poor quality version over the internet and this is something that loses the movie profit. The attitudes of people who 'wait for it to be put online' and THIS is something production companies have to take into account too. If a production company hasn't taken note of every new piece of hardware that is eligible for downloading or marketing a film then it is at risk of losing reachable profit. With all the social media sites out there (e.g.. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Tumblr, Instagram etc.) it is quick and easy for the message to get across about a brand new film that is being released. With a social media account the film can be promoted by the film company itself and by thousands and thousands of other public members with the same working account, once the message has been put across. This is the same for any social media site and any hardware device that is condition to download videos and films that can be shared and promoted to other people. All these devices have a chance to earn the film some profit, and therefore make it popular and demanding. The film company must not only market the film and be done with it... they must engage and interact with the target audience as much as possible in order to get their sales up. For example, with 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials', there was already a fan base and target audience created for them, which was built from the book series and the first film 'The Maze Runner', this in a way made it easier for them as there were already a set amount of people going to see the film whenever, wherever; however, they had a much harder job at the end of the day with promoting the films better than the first film, inn order to beat the sale figures and opening weekend - to show and prove improvement. The film company started promoting early on and this is a good way to grab the public's attention. With photos and videos the company can 'tease' the audience and get them excited. This is a big must for companies as they have to get a reaction from the public- if there isn't any reaction, the film is probably going to be a 'flop'. Getting engaged with the public is a good way to get people excited, as for example with 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials', they put on competitions and quiz' etc. for the public to get involved with. When  company does things like this is makes it different from other films and can grab attention - therefore more people will be interested in going to see the film when it comes out.

In order for the films to make as much money as possible, it's important that companies think about the way the film is actually filmed in the production stage. This is when the debate on whether it is better to film 'analogy or digital'? The analogy isn't used so much and hasn't been used as much (especially in sci-fi films that are going to cost a lot of money anyway) over the last 10 years, because it is more expensive and there is a lot more large hardware that takes up a lot of equipment for the team. It takes time when using the hardware, especially when editing (the film strips must be cut and carefully dealt with). It is awkward when trying to film lots of little scenes, as the film is usually taken over a longer period of time. On the other hand, digitally is much more accessible. Digital filming is much more covenant than analogy filming. With the new technology about and the quick programmes that enable a company to be inventive with the editing and sound etc., it is a much better choice in filming, especially for 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials'. 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials', was filmed digitally in New Mexico, USA. The film was filmed on 3 main cameras. Arri Alexa XT Plus, Cooke S4 and Angenieux Optimo Lenses were all used in the makings of 'The Scorch Trials' and the film's digital laboratory was 'EFilm'. The film runs for 132 minutes and includes a lot of different cross cutting scenes etc. so a lot of editing was done in order to make the film flow. Film companies like to be creative with current technology to get the 'perfect' piece of film and it is now currently acceptable to use cheap digital cameras for the not so important scenes, for example with extras etc...

3. The technologies that have been introduced in the recent years at the levels of production,distribution, marketing and exchange.

In the last10 years or so, the production of films has been a whole lot cheaper, because of the huge range in ways to film. In this current time, anyone who has access to a video footage accessory can make a film. I personally could make a film if I wanted to, because I have a camera and a programme (e.g. IMovie, Movie Maker etc.) to edit the film on. Bigger companies (like 20th Century Fox etc.) obviously have the better quality video cameras than the average person on their phone. So, think what magic they can produce on a programme far more developed than 'Moviemaker'. For a film like 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' a big team of editing and sound members will sit on several different computers to edit the film produced by the filming directors and their team afterwards.

4. The significance of proliferation in the hardware and content for institutions and audiences.

Because 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' has a target audience of 12-28 year olds, there is a debate to whether it needs to include more CGI and special effects than a regular sci-fi films might do? The nature of the films anyway (based on a book), would have to mean that the s amount of special effects used will be large, however to fit the target audience, it would need a good range of CGI effects to make the film more appealing and real. Especially, because the film was being shown inn 3-D as well as 2D (this on its own makes it more appealing to the target audience). The young audience indicates a bigger usage of the new hardware and 'media hubs'; this means that the company of this film I ma researching must be alert and on top of new and updated versions of all the programmes and social media sites used by the younger generation. This is all to allow them to get more money and make a profit back of the high budgeted film. For films like this, a lot of cheaper digital cameras could be used and a high definition edit can be available for customers when the film is out to buy (December).

5. The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences.

For a film like this one, it is important that the film company recognises the media convergence used to demonstrate the film. The young target audience for this film in particular will discuss the film through social media and this would then be a good opportunity for the film to get involved with them back. It is important (for a film like this and for example 'The Hunger Games') to collect a fan community in order for the film to look like a success. it is important bottom line, so the film makes money - but also, so the films is talked about in public. When a film is spoken about on both social media and outside the media, that is when a film is a big success.

6. The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions.

Media production is dominated by global institutions, which sell their products and services to national audiences. The problem with 'British' films is that, they're mostly always, never actually 'fully British'. You could have a British producer and director and a team of British actors, but there certainly would  never be (for a blockbuster anyway), a whole tem of British workers. The film industry is dominated by the 'Five big film distributors' and these are all based around American money.

This PowerPoint explains the importance of teaming up with American distributors.

Targeting of national and local audiences from Victory Media

 

'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' is an American based film and was filmed and made all in the USA. The British actors in the film are limited and the only main character who holds a British identity is Kaya, however she portrays an American girl from a small American town.

 

7. The ways in which candidates' own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.

The way in which the public have experienced media before, determines their initial view on everything to do with that subject. A young audience may have shared views on one particular area and this is passed down through word of mouth, social networking and the opinion is spread across a target audience. When the opinion is spread then film companies in particular need to be aware of that and take note, because if they go against wht their target audience feel it will be harder for them to make money. A young, current audience is hard to reach as they all like different genres of film etc. (some genres aren't even recognised in that audience's eye) and this is why it is important for film companies to get it right first time. Some people have bad experience going to the cinema and some do not enjoy 3D, however a huge amount of sales came from 3D sales at 'The Scorch Trials'. If it a trend for the public not enjoying 3D visits to the cinema then this could damage figures, and the company would have to think of getting the money back on say, DVD sales which include backstage footage and bonus features bundled. Personally, I enjoy going to the cinema. It gives me such a buzz - especially going to see a sci-fi movie like 'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials' in 3D. When I went to the film I think the pattern was that the young audience enjoyed the visit to the cinema for this film, which was proven from opening weekend (earned a total of $30.3 million).