The Hollywood and film industry has taken over our society as one of the leading factors of how we enjoy entertainment. Not only is consumerism rising from streaming, but we take projects that are being made and advertise through social media.
We are now dependent on technology over word of mouth, and it is affecting movie theater going. As consumers and audience members, we are the driving factor of production companies and how they release and advertise past, present, and future projects.
What are these production companies?
There are many production companies that have taken over the Hollywood scene overnight and many that have been staples in the industry. Many companies can be listed, but the focus will be on independent production houses A24 and Blumhouse, as well as the Film Companies of Universal Pictures and Warners Bros.
Mimi Alas Castillo, an Entertainment Journalist and Content Creator/Producer, says, “Social media is making a lasting impact on how independent and well-known production companies make films, TV shows, or products. We are slowly depending on how we consume media through social platforms. The most important social media platforms that independent and well-known production companies will always need for fast-growing film/TV show consumerism are TikTok and Instagram as those platforms are the most common social media outlets.
Independent production companies can grow as quickly as well-known production companies because of social media consumerism, and it’s only going to grow and they will depend on it more and more as we base our daily lives on social media nowadays. Production companies will have more exposure through social media.”
How are Production Houses different?
The most important factor that differs from these production houses is their lasting impact on revenue. The differences between A24 and Blumhouse are not distant, but they include minor enterprise impacts and souvenirs. A24 produces unimaginable films that make the mind think out of the box. Blumhouse produces films from the genres of horror, thrillers, and mysteries that intrigue the mind. Both production houses made sizable amounts of revenue in 2023.
According to statista.com it says “As of 2023, the gross theatrical revenue of movies released by independent studio A24 reached a total of 138.14 million U.S. dollars.” For Blumhouse the revenue for 2024 is stated in Screen Rant. “Blumhouse, led by CEO Jason Blum, has now crossed $150 million in gross worldwide in 2024.”
Alyssa Cortes, a student journalist says “Both companies have relatively made more films that are in line with what I think Hollywood film companies like Warner Bros and Universal Pictures have released. I think both companies, in different ways, know what the viewers want, and they don’t want the same stories over and over again. They want stories that speak to the viewers. They are changing the film industry one project at a time, and those that can adapt are going to get left behind.”
Revenues of Production Houses
The revenue train can be led by Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. In statista.com states, “Throughout 2023, Universal generated a box office revenue of 1.93 billion U.S. dollars in the United States and Canada…” Not only is the company growing yearly, but it is also influencing other production companies to challenge the films that are released and being promoted. To include Warner Bros macrotrends.net states, “Warner Bros Discovery annual revenue for 2023 was $41.321B, a 22.19% increase from 2022.” ($33.817B) Including both major production companies, can be a deciding factor in which films have created more of an impact on the industry. It might not change your opinion on which movies were produced better than the other, but it can create a fan base in which the company creates genres of film that align with personal preferences.
Nivi Marie, an educator in public schools, says, “A lot of these production companies aim to a certain audience and produce certain areas of output. Blumhouse stays closer to the genres of horror, mystery, and thrillers, and Universal Pictures stays closer to the genres of family movies, action, and dramas. Not one company is better than the other because of the films/TV shows themselves, but because of the certain kinds of output.”
Legacy of innovation and evolution of film.
Through consumerism, all production companies started from somewhere. Universal Pictures was founded in 1912 and slowly gained film in the 1930s because of films like “Dracula” and “Frankenstein.” Consumers for the company are looking for “family-friendly and “high concept blockbusters.” Warner Bros was established in 1923 and is characterized by innovative, cultural, and impactive significance. The studio was a trailblazer for sound in the film “The Jazz Singer.” (1927) It has produced movies from “Harry Potter” and “Looney Tunes.” Both companies continue to evolve with filmmaking and productions as they change genres and audience takes.
