The years 1927 and 1928 are generally seen as the beginning of Hollywood's Golden Age and the final major steps in establishing "studio system" control of the American film business. The studio system was a means of film production and distribution dominant in Hollywood from the early 1920's through the 1950's. The term studio system refers to the practice of large motion picture studios such as
- Producing movies primarily on their own filmmaking lots with creative personnel under often long-term contract
- Pursuing vertical integration through ownership or effective control of distributors and movie theatres, guaranteeing additional sales of films through manipulating booking techniques.
During the Golden Age, eight companies constituted the so called "major studios" that promulgated the Hollywood studio system. Five of these eight were fully integrated conglomerates, combining ownership of a production studio, distribution division, and a substantial theatre chain, contracting with performers and filmmaking personnel. (Fox Film Corporation (later 20th Century-Fox), Loew's Incorporated (owner of America's largest theatre circuit and parent company to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), Paramount Pictures, RKO Radio Pictures, and Warner Bros.). Two "majors": (Universal Pictures and Columbia Pictures) whom were similarly organised, though they never owned more than small theatre circuits.
The eighth of the Golden Age majors, (United Artists) owned a few theatres and had access to two production facilities owned by members of its controlling partnership group, but it functioned primarily as a backer-distrobutor, loaning money to independent producers and releasing their films. It's importance is that there were virtually no indie movies back in that era. Filmmaking was too expensive. These studios made just about everything that was put on screen from the 20's to the 50's.
Most people are not aware that the best known feature films occurred in the US in the 20's and 30's (800 films a year average), now producing 500 films a year.
The eighth of the Golden Age majors, (United Artists) owned a few theatres and had access to two production facilities owned by members of its controlling partnership group, but it functioned primarily as a backer-distrobutor, loaning money to independent producers and releasing their films. It's importance is that there were virtually no indie movies back in that era. Filmmaking was too expensive. These studios made just about everything that was put on screen from the 20's to the 50's.
Most people are not aware that the best known feature films occurred in the US in the 20's and 30's (800 films a year average), now producing 500 films a year.
No comments:
Post a Comment