Film Policies In The United States

Write a report on the film policies that are being used in the United States.

Historical background on Hollywood Film Policy in US

The film industry of the United States is popularly referred as the Hollywood.  The fascinating journey of the Hollywood movies has started from the end of 19^th century along with the invention of kinetoscope. It has been monitored that the film industry of the United States has high influences on the world cinema moreover, it is to be mentioned that starting from the year 1917, and the Hollywood film industry has monitored immense growth and word wide recognition. It can be noticed that the birth of modern cinema was possible due to the immense contribution and efforts of Frenchmen Auguste and Louis Lumiere, the rise of American cinema has been very fast.  Moreover, the film industry has become one of the largest industries of the world that have produced a vast number of films in a particular language. It can be monitored that the Hollywood film industry has produced 800 movies and that too in a single language. According to the report, the annual turnover of the industry is around $10.1 billion (Jeffreys-Jones, 2013). In this regard, it can easily be understood that the industry is highly popular and is considered as the oldest industry in the globe. Tracing back to its roots, the industry can consider Thomas Edison as one of the first producers of cinema. Along with his invention of kinetoscope, the journey of cinema and the Hollywood has started. It can be monitored that the industry produces around 98% of fictional movies along with 2% of animated movies (Cook, 2016). In this regard it can also be said that the industry is considered as one of the most efficient one in using modern technologies in the process of film making. It can also be monitored that the animations and special effects used by the film makers are presently creating revolutions in the world of film making. Some of the major distributors of the Hollywood film industry are Warner Bros, Disney and Universal Studio. However, it has been monitored that the Hollywood film industry can also be considered as a transnational cinema in spite of their preference to only a single language. The reason behind referring the Hollywood movies as transnational is the producing the English movies in multiple languages and versions. The report hence will focus on the film policies that are being used in the United States. In addition to this, a thorough analysis of the future policies has also been done.

It has been monitored that along with the advent of globalization and modern technologies, the industry has also made significant advancement. As a result of this, the Hollywood film industry has remained at the top of the world film industry (Brownell, 2014). Moreover, it can be said that the industry as well as the US government is employing effective policies in order to maintain the growth and functioning of the industry. In addition to this it can be said that the film industry is highly influenced by the global economy and Cultural Revolution that is taking place in the country. Moreover, it has been noticed that the film industry has employed effective policies and strategies over the years in order to support its long term sustenance (Faulkner, 2017). The primary and significant policies that have been taken up by the film industry are based upon the security and safety of the studios and the sets. It can be noticed that in order to ensure secure and effective functioning of the entire procedure the industry has taken up rules of acquiring film permit and insurances are some of the factors that are regarded as having high importance in the process of film making. Moreover, it is to be mentioned that the film makers have to undergo detailed procedure in order to obtain the permits to make films. In addition to this, the US government has taken up multiple strategies in order to support the process of trouble free film making procedure (Stringer, 2013). The government has also has clearly mentioned the filming hours and the regulations to select locations along with parking facilities. It has also been monitored that the filming hours in residential areas has been restricted to 7a.m to 10p.m on the weekdays and 8a.m to 10p.m on the weekends. In addition to this, the residents and neighborhoods are to be properly informed before starting the procedure of filming.

How successful is the Application of Policy

In order to dive into the details of the filming policies and the history its progress, it is important to know the origin of the name “Hollywood” (Brownell, 2014). According to the popular notions, the name of the region previously was SoCal and the residents of that place changed the name to Hollywood as a result of likeness towards the beautiful ‘holly-like’ bush that used to grow in the neighborhood (Finney, 2014). However, it can be known that the term “Hollywood” has been coined by H. J. Whitley, the father of the US film industry.

By analyzing the policies that has been taken up by the film industry, kit can easily be understood that the industry is taking up flexible approach towards the changing global scenario and economic conditions. It can be noticed that the film industry is depending on the policy of employing a vast amount of talents and resources in the process of film making. In addition to this, the film industry is also abiding by the rules and regulations that are implemented by the US government as well as UNESCO (Su, 2014). In this context it can be said that according to the UNESCO convention 2005, protection of biodiversity as well as diversity of the cultural expressions are to be regarded as highly important. Abiding by the rules, the film industry has taken up policies of ensuring diversity while making films (Critchlow, 2013). Moreover, it can also be monitored that the film industry has reduced the percentage of films that are to be compulsorily made in the nation’s market and are to be shown in the domestic market only. This has in turn helped the industry immensely in the process of increasing film exports. As a result the film industry has been capable of filming their cinema in the global market more extensively.

Another effective policy that has been taken up by the film industry is the selection of subjects upon which the movies are to be made. It can be monitored that the subjects and themes of these movies are efficiently selected so as to appeal the global audience (Parker & Cox, 2013). In this regard, it has also been monitored that the industry has taken up the policy of being culturally “odorless” so that it can gel with universal culture and audience. In addition to this, it can also be monitored that the government has taken up effective steps in order to support the economic conditions of the film industry.

By analyzing the policies that have been taken up the Hollywood film industry, it can be understood that the organization has employed effective marketing and promotional strategies in order to support the process of film making and showcasing. In this regard, the importance of media is to be analyzed in understanding the role of media in the present context. It can be monitored that in the present scenario the usage and importance of billboards have almost been abolished (Shindler, 2014). Moreover, it can be understood that in order to make successful marketing strategies the Hollywood film industry has taken up the help of social media as well television media. It is widely known that in the present context the growth and social media has increased significantly (Christensen, Haas & Haas, 2015). Hence, by applying the strategy of using social media in the marketing and promotion of a new film, the Hollywood film industry can reach to a larger audience.

Hence it can be understood that in the present con text the social media is to be considered as the most important mode of marketing and promotional activities for the industry. In addition to this, it can also be understood that the social media hence has significant influence on the strategies and policies that are taken up by the Hollywood film industry. It has been monitored that due to the huge access of the social media, the film makers and marketing department are prone to face difficulties as well (Ibbi, 2013). To elaborate it furthermore it can be said that failure to take up effective strategies many times results into negative publicity for a movie. It has been widely accepted that the usage of social media has been immensely successful for the film industry (Brownell, 2014). However, it has also been noticed that the strategy can also be harmful for films and they are threatened of over exposure. In addition to this, it has also been monitored that the technological advancement and emergence of social media has increased the needs of implementing more engaging strategies of marketing and promoting the movies made by the US filmmakers.

It can be noticed that the immense growth and success of the film industry is the result of effective economic strategies and the flexibility of the industry that has enabled it to comply with the political changes. It is noticeable that the most effective economic strategy that the organization has taken up is the engaging a vast number of skilled employees and resources. In this regard it can be said that the film industry has also employed the strategies of employing complex techniques of film making and narrative techniques (Karnick & Jenkins, 2013). Over the years the industry has monitored immense appreciation of this strategy. As a result it can be said that these strategies have been highly beneficial in obtaining economic growth of the industry as well as the country.

It has been monitored that the Hollywood film industry has been highly focused on gaining economic profits. However, it can also be said that the industry does not only focus on the economic aspects of film making, but also has focused on the quality of the film making process along with the subjects (Brownell, 2014). It has been noticed that by applying this strategy, the film industry has been successful in grabbing the attention of the global market as well.

Along with the adoption of effective economic strategies, the Hollywood film industry has also taken up flexible approach to deal with the ever changing political scenario of the country as well as the world. In addition to this, it has also been monitored that the Hollywood movies many a times have taken up social issues as a subject of their films (MacLaird, 2013). It has been widely acknowledged that films are one of the most effective mediums that are capable of addressing the social issues. Moreover, cinema has always been used as an effective medium of creating awareness regarding social as well as political issue. In this regard, the film industry is perceived as an important medium of creating public awareness as well as a medium of changing the cultural and social scenario around the globe (Foster, Manning & Terkla, 2015). It has also been noticed that the film industry of the United States has also helped in portraying a global identity of itself as well as the country itself. From the advent of the 20^th century, the Hollywood film industry has taken up important role in altering the political as well as the social scenario of the country. During the 20^th century, kit has been monitored that the popularity of cinema amongst the upper and middle class society has been resulted into high success of the industry (Slide, 2014). It has also been monitored that during this time, the labor leaders have effectively used the medium to teach important aspects of unionism, global culture and politics to the working class. Moreover, it has also been monitored that often the strategy of initiating celebrity driven campaign tend to impart broader influence on the common people. Hence, the cinema can be regarded as an important as well as effective medium of creating public awareness and bringing social changes.

In order to support the long term sustenance and further growth of the US film industry it can be said that the government as well as the film association of Hollywood needs to adopt few strategies and policies. In this regard, it can be said that in order to implement successful strategies and policies the Hollywood film industry needs to access the economical as well as social changes that are taking place in the present context. It can be monitored that the technological advancement has created significant influences on the global film industry (Jones, Lorenzen & Sapsed, 2015). It can be said that the technological advancement has attributed adoption of better technology and broader reach to the audience. However, it is also to be mentioned that the film makers and producers have also monitored few harmful aspects of this advanced technology and media exposure. In this context it can be said that the makers and producers need to take up few effective strategies that can boost the industry.

• The film makers can adopt technology in order to support better animation, VFX and film making procedures.
• The marketing and promotion departments need to create strategies of audience engagement in a more robust manner (Kord & Krimmer, 2013). It has been noticed that organizing events that can provide opportunities of direct communication with the celebrities tend to generate higher amount of awareness amongst the common people.
• In order to support the economic growth of the industry the industry can focusing on engaging a greater number of skilled and efficient labors in the industry.
• The government of the United States as well as the film producers needs to take up initiatives that can ensure larger export of the films (Balio, 2013). To explain it furthermore it can be said that the Hollywood film industry should focus more on screening movies in the foreign countries. This will help them in achieving greater economical benefit.   

Conclusion 

To conclude, it can be said that the film industry of the United States is the largest film fraternity in the world. Adoption of effective and successful strategies have attributed immensely to the success of this industry. Moreover, being the oldest film industry Hollywood contributes significantly towards the economy of the United States. It has also been monitored that the Hollywood is serving an important role in building political and social awareness in many instances. Moreover, the various social and awareness campaigns taken up by the celebrities help building social awareness to a great extent. In order to support further growth of the industry adoption of better technologies and strategies to reach global audience have to be adopted.

References

Balio, T. (2013). Hollywood in the Age of Television. Routledge.

Brownell, K. C. (2014). Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life. UNC Press Books.

Christensen, T., Haas, E., & Haas, P. J. (2015). Projecting politics: political messages in American films. Routledge.

Cook, D. A. (2016). A history of narrative film. WW Norton & Compan

Critchlow, D. T. (2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge University Press.

Faulkner, R. R. (2017). Hollywood studio musicians: Their work and careers in the recording industry. Routledge.

Finney, A. (2014). The international film business: A market guide beyond Hollywood. Routledge.

Foster, P., Manning, S., & Terkla, D. (2015). The rise of Hollywood East: Regional film offices as intermediaries in film and television production clusters. Regional Studies, 49(3), 433-450.

Ibbi, A. A. (2013). Hollywood, the American image and the global film industry. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 3(1), 93-106.

Jeffreys-Jones, R. (2013). American Left: Its Impact on Politics and Society Since 1900. Edinburgh University Press.

Jones, C., Lorenzen, M., & Sapsed, J. (Eds.). (2015). The Oxford handbook of creative industries. Oxford University Press.

Karnick, K. B., & Jenkins, H. (2013). Classical Hollywood Comedy. Routledge.

Kord, S., & Krimmer, E. (2013). Contemporary Hollywood masculinities: gender, genre, and politics. Springer.

MacLaird, M. (2013). Aesthetics and Politics in the Mexican Film Industry. Springer.

Parker, R., & Cox, S. (2013). Power relations and small and medium-sized enterprise strategies for capturing value in global production networks: Visual Effects (VFX) service firms in the Hollywood film industry. Regional Studies, 47(7), 1095-1110.

Shindler, C. (2014). Hollywood Goes to War: Films and American Society, 1939-1952. Routledge.

Slide, A. (2014). The new historical dictionary of the American film industry. Routledge.

Stringer, J. (2013). Movie blockbusters. Routledge.

Su, W. (2014). Cultural policy and film industry as negotiation of power: The chinese state's role and strategies in its engagement with global hollywood 1994–2012. Pacific Affairs, 87(1), 93-114.

Zhao, E. Y., Ishihara, M., & Lounsbury, M. (2013). Overcoming the illegitimacy discount: Cultural entrepreneurship in the US feature film industry. Organization Studies, 34(12), 1747-1776.