MGM Pictures

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or better known as MGM Pictures is an American media company in which produces and distributes films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 by entrepreneur Marcus Loew and used to be the largest film studio. It was founded by Marcus as he took over Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer Pictures. 

The very well known logo of the roaring lion (or Leo the Lion) was created by Howard Dietz - an American publicist, lyricist and librettist - in 1916 for Goldwyn PIctures, however updated in 1924 for MGM. The logo has the official studio motto "Ars Gratia Artis" what means "Art for Art's Sake" inscribed around the ring of the lion. The roar was only added in for the first time in August 1928 because the films were originally silent.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was the dominant motion picture studio in Hollywood from the end of silent films to the late 50s. Although their films were usually alway a success they loss a lot of money through the 1960s because of cultural and nature changing. 

MGM had struggled in 1973 because of cutting staff and production costs what resulted them in to producing low-budget face and then forced to shut down the theatrical distribution. It continued to produce a few films a year through other studios, mostly United Artists. The theatrical distribution was back on track in 1981 when they decided to buy United Artists as UA's parent company Transamerica Corporation decided to let the studio got after the failure of the film Heaven's Gate (1980).

As MGM was now successful again they decided to purchase Metromedia's (another media and radio company) film subsidiaries, including Orion Pictures. 
   Also, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer attempted to take over Universal Studios in 2003 but failed. 

Although MGM is known for distributing the most well known bond series they only done 11 out of the 23: 

MGM and UA (United Artists)

. Octopussy (1983)

. A View to a Kill (1985)

. The Living Daylights (1987)

. License to Kill (1989)

. GoldenEye (1995)

MGM 

. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

. The World Is Not Enough (1999)

. Die Another Day (2002)


MGM and Sony Pictures Entertainment

. Casino Royale (2006)

. Quantum of Solace (2008)

. Skyfall (2012)

Even though, MGM have had many ups and down with debt they have countless library of films and TV production and distributing and are still going today. With their top 5 Box Office  Grossing Movies ever sure did help:

1) Gone with the Wind - $189.5 million - released: Dec 15th, 1939.
2) Rain Man - $172.8 million - released: Dec 16th, 1988.
3) Hannibal - $165.0 million -  released: Feb 9th, 2001.
4) Die Another Day - $160.9 million - released: Nov 22th, 2002.
5) Rocky IV - $127.8 million - released: Nov 27th, 1985.

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Production Logo

Ideology - My Production Logo. 

I have chosen this final Production Logo for my two minute opening. I decided that the use of the bright laser lights and fast pacing movement helps to show that the film is going to be an spy-action movie (the genre of my choice). I have called my productions M.A.D.D to exaggrate how my action movie will feel. I used the colour red to connote that danger will begin in the first two minutes and well help set the tone/mood. It lacks sound for an effect because during the first ten seconds of my opening, I will be using the MGM Production logo,  with an eery, suspenseful audio music running through to connote the tension of an action movie. 

MGM Productions is being used as my distributor because it is very well known for the James Bond series which is also in the spy-action genre. Also, using Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as my distributor will give the audience high expectations of my movie opening. Which means It will motivate and influence me to make it as successful and clean-cut as possible to reach their standards. 

Camera Movement

Camera Movement

Camera movement is when the director chooses to move the camera with the action in the movie other that using a series of cuts. Moving the camera often takes a great deal of time, especially with long scenes. Not only must the style of movement be chosen, but the method of actually moving the camera must be selected too. There are seven basic methods:

Pans - A movement which scans a scene horizontally. The camera is placed on a tripod as the camera is turned. Often, used to follow a moving object e.g.: Car, plane etc.

Tilts - Very similar to pan, however, it is a movement that scans vertically

Dolly Shots – Can be called tracking shot. This movement is when a camera is placed on a moving vehicle and moves alongside the action. It usually is used for action and chase scenes, following a moving figure or object. Another way is if the camera is mounted on a moving object like its POV, to portray movement of the object.

Hand-held shots - The camera is literary handheld by the camera operator. Usually used for the shot to be bumpy and jagged. Can connote instability.

 Crane Shots - Basically, dolly-shots-in-the-air. A crane is used to move the camera up, down, left, right, swooping in on action or moving diagonally out of it. Mostly used for high angle shots.

Zoom - A zoom can change the position of the audience, either very quickly or slowly, saving the director a lot of time. It pretty much is just a single shot moving towards a particular subject. The drawback to zoom is that if it isn’t used effectively and can become distorted to the audience. To get the best of using zoom use a tripod.

The Aerial Shot – Like a crane shot, instead usually taken from a helicopter. This is often used at the beginning of a film, in order to show setting and movement.

180 Degree Rule.

The 180 Degree Rule. 

The 180 degree rule is when an imaginary line called the axis connects the characters and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene. The camera or cameras should always remain on that side of the imaginary line. An example is if a chase scene and actor/actress is running away from right to left, the next shot must also be shot from the same side. That means the actor/actress has to enter from right to left. Here is a diagram below on how the rule works:

Breaking the rule. 

The rule should never be broken unless for effect. Breaking the rule will confuse the viewer, especially in scenes of chase and conversation. 

Results of rule breaking: 

. Confusion of audience.

. Viewer loses focus.

. Miss vital parts of the film. 

Ways Around the rule.

The only way you can cross the line (axis) without disturbing and confusing the audience is to show the camera movement crossing. You cannot cut across the line because the audience will not be orientated. Once the axis has been crossed you have to stay on that side of the line unless you show the movement back over.

Using 180 Degree Rule.

Here is  quick story board I produced to help me get a better understanding of using the 180 degree rule in filming...

Scene commences with a wide shot and one actor sitting to the left of the frame and a door on the right.

Shot cuts to another actor on the right of the frame walking through the door.

Wide shot is back with two actors in the frame. First actor on the left is still there greeting the other who is still on the right.

Changes to medium shot to show first actor on the left exchanging some dialogue to the other actor.

Now switches to second actor who is still on the right sat down replying to first actor.

The actors are now both in the frame again. 

Next shot is an over the shoulder shot with second actor having ago at the other.

Another shot in reverse effect to the one above.

Lastly, a close up/medium two shot used to show the heated expressions on their face. 

Camera Angles and Shots.

Camera Angles and Shots.

Camera angles and shots (in film making) are put together to create a sequence of images, to make a short scene.


When describing camera angles or shots, there are three important factors:


1) The framing or length of shot.


2) The angle of shot


3) If there is any movement involved.






Different terms and names are used to show what is within a frame, how far away the camera is from the subject, and the perspective of the viewer. Each different shot has a different purpose and effect.




Establishing Shot (EST) - This shot shows the audience the exterior of the current setting of a movie. Mixed in with movement shots it can help with the genre of the film.






Medium Close Up (MCU) – Halfway between a mid shot and a close up. Shows appearance for shoulders to top of their head. Used to show facial expressions.







Long Shot (LS) – Subject takes up the full frame, or as much possible. Also can show surroundings around the character.







Big Close Up (BCU) - This shot will include the character full face from chin to hairline. to show extreme emotion. This shot will highlight the emotion on the character face and also show the audience the features of the characters face.






Wide Shot (WS) – It is used to observe most of the action in the shot. It shows the audience mostly characters in their surroundings.






Two Shot (MTS) – A shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot. A two shot could be used to show dialogue or gestures to inform an audience of crucial information. Like medium shot it will tend to show the characters from the waist upwards.






Medium Shot (MS) – Shows the top half of the subject in more detail. Helps audience to see if the subject is holding any objects, facial expressions and again gestures.








Point Of View (POV) – Gives the audience the feel that you’re seeing it from the eyes of the performer. It is taken from the eye-level of the actor and shows what he might see.








Close Up (CU) – The face of the subject takes up the whole frame. Close Ups are used to emphasize the facial expressions of actors/actresses and connote the atmosphereto the audience.








Extreme Close Up (ECU) – Extreme Close Ups show extreme detail and major significance.

High Angle (HA) - A high angle shot is an angle in which the camera is pointing down towards the character/object. Could be used to show the characters lack of power.

The Shoulder (OTSH) – Over the shoulder shot is framed as the audience is looking behind a person at the subject. Mainly used for dialogue and to show expression of one actor/actress.








Low Angle Shot (LAS) - Just like a high angle shot it can be used to show the power of a character or object.






Deep Shot - A deep shot is when the main focus is on a character or object in the centre of the shot. This will allow the audience to focus on the middle of the shot.









Overhead Shot - This shot is when it is taken from above the characters. Helps theaudience view from another perspective and show everything what is going on in the shot.

Universal Studios.

Universal Studios.



Universal Studios, is a division of the well known NBC Universal. The studios is one of the Six major studios, alongside: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures and 20th Century Fox. It also owns 11.3% of the market share in U.S/Canada. Universal is one of the longest-lived motion picture studios to be located outside Hollywood.
Founded in 1912 by the German-Jewish immigrant, Carl Laemmle. The studio is the oldest in the States and the third oldest in the world – that is still in production, after number one, Gaumont pictures and number two, Paramount. 

Universal has had many owners, from being an independent business, to having Major companies like Panasonic or Vivendi. In May 2004 Vivendi decided to sell the Pictures to General Electric (conglomerate) who still own Universal alongside Comcast today. 

Other Divisions and brands include: Universal Animation Studios, Illumination Studios and Working Title Films. 

Although Universal Studios has many films under its belt over the 100 years like: Jurassic Park franchise, The Blues Brothers, Back to the Future Trilogy and E.T: The extra terrestrial, it has a sizeable collection of TV shows through its Subsidiary with NBC Universal Television Distribution.

Universal Studios, do not have one genre they tend to focus on, however, it seems they enjoy and are mostly successful with Sci-Fi.
Even though, Universal has made huge blockbuster movies, it can always be hit and miss for them to make a profit from release. On average in the few years their margin is approximately 35.8%. Most Successful film for them was E.T.: The Extra- Terrestrial, making them a total gross of $359,197,037 – It was also the most successful film of the 1980s. Jurassic Park and Meet the Fockers were runners up.



Having seen the Universal Logo many times, it is one of the most recognizable logos in the world. The original globe spinning around a space/starry background and their name orbiting around the globe has changed and adapted many times throughout the years. However it has always maintained the familiar logo everyone knows so well. I have Also posted a video showing how the logo has changed through the years....

Film Genre

Film Genre

In film theory, genre is referred to the method based on similarities in the narrative elements from how films are constructed and created.
Fictional films are usually categorised (as the main genres we know) according to the setting, theme or mood. Target audiences can also categorize a film into a certain genre, for example, Disney creates films for families and children, and so the genres would mostly be adventure/fantasy crossover.
Film genres can branch out into sub-genres. E.g. Romance (sub-genre) is usually linked to comedy or drama… Romantic Comedy and Romantic Drama.
Genre is a vague term with no boundaries. Movies are never 100% fixed on one genre of film. Films tend to crossover/mix two or even three genres at once like Horror/Comedy, Action/Thriller etc. Another example of an actual film could be, ‘Back to the Future Part III’ because of its Western/Science-Fiction mix.

One film theorist argued that genre could be defined in four ways:

1) Idealistic Method- Judges films by predetermined standards.

2) Empirical Method – Identifies the genre of a film by comparing it to a list of films already deemed to fall within a certain genre.

3) The Apriori Method – Uses common generic elements that are identified in advance.

4) Social Conventions Method – Identifying the genre of a film based on the accepted cultural consensus within society.

Some screen writers use genre to determine the plot or content to put in their own screenplay.They find examples and copy it into their own. It is likely that such fail in originality and fall into that category.They defy the elements found in past works. Originality and surprise is what makes a film good.

Main Film Genres


Action – This genre includes high energy, big budget over exaggerated physical stunts and chases, rescues and fights. Destructive crises like fires and explosions are near enough always used. Typically there is a hero/heroin battling evil ‘bad guys’. A sub-genre for action is usually Disaster films. Also, more then often it is crossed over with other genres like Thriller and Adventure. There are so many different examples of Action movies, however, the most well known are the ‘James Bond’ series.


Adventure - Usually includes exciting stories/plots for new experiences or exotic locations for the audience. It is very similar to the genre and often paired with action. Often there will tend to be swashbucklers or historical spectacles. Searching for lost objects/places or the unknown. An example of an movie would be ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.


Comedy – A comedy has light–hearted plot what is designed to deliberately and amuse and provoke laughter towards and audience with one liners and jokes etc. Situation of the film is overly . Different types of comedies are: Slapstick, screwball, spoofs, parodies, rom-coms and black comedy (dark comedy).


Crime (and Gangster) – Developed around the sinister actions of criminals or mobsters e.g. Bank robbers, Ruthless hoodlums etc.Characters either operate outside law; stealing, murdering their way through life or are totally against crime and will go at nothing to avoid and prevent it. Crime can often be categorized as Black Noir or Detective mystery.


Dramas – This genre has serious plots and will portray characters, setting and life situations. It is very unlikely to see special effects in these movies. Drama tends to have one of the largest genres of subsets.



Epic/Historical - Could be a costume drama, historical, war, medieval or period drama. This genre will have serious plots and will portray realistic characters, setting and life situations. It is very unlikely to see special effects in these movies. Drama tends to have one of the largest genres of subsets.


Horror - A horror intends to frighten or to invoke worst fears to an audience. Often enough is terrifying and shocking while captivating and entertaining. There is a wide of styles that include, Nosferatu classic to today’s CGI monsters and de ranged humans. Sci-fi genre is usually combined. Examples of sub-genres are: Slashers, teen horrors, serial killers, satanic and Dracula.


Musical/Dance - Musical/Dance films are always in cinematic form that emphasizes a situation with, full-scale scores or song and dance routines. Major Sub-genre is - ComedyMusical.


Sci-fi (Science Fiction) - Visionary and imaginative, complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets, impossible quests, sometimes time travel, dark villains, future technology, unknown and monsters.Sometimes can be off shot of a fantasy film. Can crossover/combine with action/adventure films. Can also overlap with horror.

War (and anti-war) - These films acknowledge horror/heartbreak or war. Always involve, combat, fighting on land, sea or planes that provide the primary plot or background. Can be paired with action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy (black), suspense and epics or westerns. Can include POW or stories of military, operations and training.

Westerns - A major defining of the American film industry. This is the oldest most enduring genre with plots, elements, characters, horses, guns, dusty towns , cowboys, Indians, saloons etc. Overtime, this genre has been re-invented and expanded, dismissed, re-discovered and spoofed.

Sub-genres - Sub divides films of a larger category.


Here is a list of some well-known sub-genres:

-Biopic
- Chick Flicks

- Detective Mystery

- Disaster 

- Fantasy 

- Film Noir

- Melodramas

- Road Films

- Romance- Sports

- Supernatural

- Thriller suspense

Other Film categories:
- Animation
- British/UK

- Children/Family
- Cult
- Documentary
- Serial
- Silent