Ex Machina research

director: Alex Garland

 producer: Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich 

distributor: universal studios

cast: Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya mizuno

budget: $15 million

locations: Norway and pinewood studios

technology: Visual effects company Double Negative worked on the creation and production of Ava using advanced motion tracking technology.

number of screen - opening weekend: 1255 screens

number of screens - peak number 2,004 screens

box office figures: $36.9 million

the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice; The films production companies were film 4 productions and DNA films, these are relatively small production companies  so this proves that small production companies can make successful films as the box office made over double the amount of money it cost to make the film. Good marketing and distribution would have helped to contributed to the overall success of the film. 

the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing; 

 Universal studios used their size and popularity to advertise and publicise the film, they used trailers, posters and social media to promote the new film. For this film they worked with an internet dating site 'tinder' to match users with the main character Ava, Ava would then send a link to the films Instagram page. This is a new type of advertising that got people talking about the film.

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

They way we buy films has changed as films are available to rent, download, blue Ray and internet streaming. This has influenced the way films are being made. For example Ex Machina is available on Blu-Ray which means the film has been made to look high quality when viewed via DVD. 




the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences: The way we watch films has changed as audiences no longer need to got to the cinema to see the latest blockbusters, because of this change it has lead to changes in the way film companies make and release their films. Some people don't go to the cinema due to the high ticket prices, therefore most film companies make their films available to download or stream. This is so they can get the highest amount of revenue as possible by making it available to a wider range of different audiences. 




the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences; (can you think of examples of how different technologies have come together to help the film industry?)  Consider, amongst other things, the many ways that the film was marketed. the film companies would have had contacts with marketing companies, this way the film would have has lots of advertising in major cities. advertising included trailers and posters. The way Ex Machina was distributed over social media could be a reason why ex machina did so well because many people have social media accounts so advertising would have clearly been seen by users.

the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;  To appeal to audiences in different countries, they release the trailer in a variety of different languages for different countries to get as many to watch the film. This method worked for Ex Machina as the film doubled the budget ($15 million). In the UK and USA posters, social media largely contributed to the films marketing campaign.

the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour. (what is your opinion on the above? Do you see the developments as a good or bad thing?) I think these developments are a good thing in the film industry as these developments are making films available to a wider range of audiences.