P1- AMC

Ownership- AMC Networks was launched in October of 1984. It is a commercial conglomerate that owns other Products such as the cable  channels AMC, IFC WE tv and Sundance Channel. It also owns the Independent film company IFC films. Josh Sapan is the CEO of AMC Networks, the company is not to be confused with AMC Theatres which is a different company altogether. AMC TV is the networks most popular channel which broadcasts my chosen TV show, The Walking Dead.

Competitors- In the past 10 years, Cable TV has had much higher ratings than Public Service Broadcasting but in much recent years  AMC's biggest competitor is Netflix and other online ways of watching television shows.  In 2013 cable tv went down 1.5%, Netflix are looking to buy popular, original shows which is why networks like AMC are creating much more popular TV shows in order to compete and draw in audiences. Two of AMC's highest rating shows, The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad are now available on Netflix. It is very common for broadcasting channels like AMC to create very successful and popular shows which have cult following of fans, then the highly rated show would be sold as part of a 'bundle' across sees for example the UK.    

P2- The Walking Dead Genre, Comparisons and COMPETITORS

The Walking Dead falls into the action, thriller, horror and drama. Its post apocalyptic theme is more commonly seen in films rather than TV shows, which is why The Walking Dead is so popular. However, the sci-fi aspect can be found in a range of television programs and they can relate in some ways to my chosen series.

Supernatural:

Supernatural like The Walking Dead (TWD) fits into the horror, action and thriller genres and unlike TWD also has the fantasy genre. The popular show, which has ran from 2005 to the present, is like TWD in the aspect that the lead characters are 'hunters'. This style convention is practical of the idea of the show and it would be strange for either of these shows to not feature characters who want to fight and survive. Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors in TWD kill zombies, similarly brothers, Dean and Sam Winchester, hunt supernatural beings like monsters and demons. Another similar aspect between the two shows is the use of male family members taking the lead roles. TWD sees father and son duo, Rick and Carl, where as previously mentioned Supernatural follows two brothers and occasionally their father. The use of these close relationships adds a sense of security and even more a need for the characters in their respective shows to stay alive. Both shows deal heavily with death and show a lot of gruesome murders, hence the horror genre. In the UK both of these shows have a certificate of 15, however some episodes of TWD are certified as 18 due to explicit content. As well as this in both shows there is a lot of traveling around, Supernatural more so as the two brothers travel the country looking for demons to hunt where as TWD survivors travel around looking for shelter from the vicious creatures. Another key aspect which links the two shows is the need for answers. The Winchester brothers are looking for answers to the mysterious creature that killed their mother and TWD survivors are looking for the answer to the disease that has turned the nation into flesh eating zombies. 
(Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural_(U.S._TV_series) )

Dead Set:

Dead set is a British mini series that ran for only 1 season consisting of 5 episodes. It is very similar to The Walking Dead as both shows feature zombie outbreaks and follow a group of survivors. However, the idea of 'Dead Set' is that the main group of survivors had been competing in the popular show 'Big Brother' when the epidemic started, they are unaware that outside of the Big Brother house all of the fans of the show are either dead or undead until the show runner breaks into the only safe place around. Not before long they need to venture outside for supplies. This plot very much follows the conventions of a typical horror series like TWD, although it does have its own unique style with the introduction of comedy into the genres (the other two genres like TWD are drama and horror). This comedy is shown in the setting of Big Brother and would attract audiences of the original show, the mini series even includes the real presenter Davina McCall playing herself. Like TWD 'Dead Set' is certified as an 18 due to its gory, violent scenes and adult content. Another key similarity of the two shows is the broadcast date. Dead Set was created two years before TWD and ran consistently through five days starting on the 27th October, this means that the last episode of the mini series would be shown on Halloween. TWD broadcasted their pilot episode on Halloween 2010, this use of the holiday would garner a lot of publicity and interest as audiences would be in a horror mood. Dead Set was shown on E4 as the show it was modelled after (Big Brother) was created and shown on channel4. Dead set was nominated for four awards; BAFTA TV award (Best Drama Series), British Comedy award (Best Television Comedy Drama), Broadcasting Press Guild award (Best Multichannel program) and TV Quick Award (Best new Drama). All of these nominations were given in 2009 and none of them won.
(Source- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285482/)

Jericho:        

Jericho was discontinued after it's first season until fans demanded a second to finish the imaginative plot. The plot shows the aftermath of a nuclear explosion caused by several terrorist attacks, which have destroyed 23 cities in America, residents of a small Kansas town must come to terms with a new and very different reality as they wonder if they're the only ones left alive. The first season of Jericho consists of 23 episodes whilst the second season was much shorter with 7 official episodes and one alternative ending to the show. The pilot episode garnered the most viewers than any other in season 1 or 2 with 11.66 million viewers on it's initial air date September 20th, 2006. However, this number quickly declined, the season finale was met with only 7.72 million viewers and shockingly the second season had a high of 7.09 million, this was for the first episode of the second season and is lower than the least watched episode of the first season. When Jericho finished its TV run, Devil's due Publishing picked up the story and turned it into a comic book. This is similar to the Walking Dead as that show originated as a comic book which is still being made now. The comic was titled, 'Jericho Season 3: Civil War', it was published from November 2009 until June 2011. 

(Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jericho_episodes )

P2- The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead is the hit US TV series created by AMC, it is the most watched drama in basic cable history. Having already ran four successful seasons of the popular show a fifth season has been confirmed much to fans delight. 

Purpose- The purpose of The Walking Dead is to entertain.

Genre- The genre of the show is horror and also falls into to sci-fi and action/adventure genres. Primarily horror due to its graphic scenes.

Form- The form of The Walking Dead is a on going series of episodes. There have so far been 4 seasons consisting of a total of 51 episodes. Season 5 is set to premier October 2014.

Origins

The American horror drama is based on the comic book series of the same name and was developed by Frank Darabont who has directed many famous films (The Shawshank Redemption and The Green mile for example). Frank found himself intrigued with the original comic book series created by Robert Kirkman and first initiated a deal with NBC (The National Broadcasting Company) to own copyrights of the show, but they declined and so Darabont took his idea to AMC Networks. Darabont wrote and directed the pilot episode and was executive producer for the first season, this happened between 2010 and 2011. After this first season Darabont was fired from position as show runner due to the low budget and strained relationship with the AMC executives. (Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Darabont)

Content/Plot

The story tells us of how the police Sheriff wakes up from a coma (in which he slipped into when shot on duty) in a trashed hospital completely alone. He quickly discovers something is deadly wrong when the area is littered with dead bodies and violent scenes. Rick must find his wife and son but when he does more secrets and troubles are unraveled. 

Success

The Walking Dead's pilot episode aired on October 31st 2010 in the US, it's halloween release date caused a large buzz that won the pilot episode 5.35 million viewers. The episode entitled, 'Days Gone Bye' focused on the shows main character, Rick Grimes played by Andrew Lincoln and shown above in the promo picture. The TV show has now more than doubled in viewers in the fourth season which hasn't even been finished airing yet. Viewers have increased with each season, two having a highest of 8.99 million, three seeing 12.40 million and finally the current season having 16.11 million in just the first episode. All of these statistics were found at http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_Series).

Awards and Nominations

The Walking Dead has been nominated for many awards as a show and for individual actors due to it's high quality in plot, graphics and acting. It was nominated for 'Best New Series for 2011 Writers Guiled of America Awards' and also 'Best Television Drama' at the 68th Golden Globe Awards. At the American Film institute Awards 2010 it was named one of the top 10 television programs of 2010. At the 2011 Saturn Awards the show received six nominations; for Best Television Presentation, Andrew lincoln for Best Actor in Television, Sarah Wayne Callies for Best Actress on Television, Steven Yeun for Best Supporting Actor in Television, Laurie Holden for Best Supporting Actress in Television and Noah Emmerich for Best Guest Starring Role in Television. The pilot episode was nominated three times for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series and won for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series.

Production Process-

The Walking Dead is filmed at Riverwood Studios in Gerogia, USA. Several other iconic locations in the show were filmed in Georgia, just a couple to name are a character, Hershel Greene's, farm where a group of survivors seek refuge before the farm is overrun with zombies and the Prison, where the characters found themselves next for two seasons. These settings are Lone Oak Dr Senoia and the West central Prison, Zebulon respectively.

In its first season The Walking Dead had an astonishing budget of $3.4 million per episode. However, the show's budget then decreased to $2.8 million per episode in season 2.

(Source- http://www.omg-facts.com/Fun+Facts/The-Walking-Dead-Has-A-2-8-Million-Dolla/56246 )

Content/Cast-

• Rick Grimes - Andrew Lincoln (Plays 'Mark' in Love Actually)
• Carl Grimes - Chandler Riggs 
• Glen Rhee - Steven Yeun 
• Daryl Dixon - Norman Reedus (Seen as 'Scud' in Blade 2)
• Carol Peletier - Melissa McBride (Dr Rachel Woods in Walker Texas Ranger)
• Maggie Green - Lauren Cohan (Also known as Rose in The Vampire Diaries)
• Michonne - Danai Gurira 

The Walking Dead at Universal Horror Nights

Every halloween Universal Studios theme parks host an elaborate and terrifying event known as 'halloween horror nights'. This includes 8 haunted houses that are modelled after famous horror movies or in the case of The Walking Dead TV show. As the AMC show is so hugely popular Universal decided to make it the theme of the 2013 horror nights and have also already confirmed they are bringing the walking dead haunted house back for 2014. As it was the theme, a street experience for during the day was created so that visitors to the park could walk between attractions and be chased by zombies and witness recreated scenes straight from the show. The was called, 'The Walking Dead: The Undead Streets'. 

By doing this universal were able to market and publicise the amazing show and give fans an opportunity to feel as though they are actually in the walking dead world. 

Three Independent Films

Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in 1992. The genres include crime and thriller as the plot follows a simple jewelry heist which goes terribly wrong and the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant. In the UK it was certified as an 18 due to language and violent themes. The Box Office office saw the film with a estimated budget of $1,200,000 with a gross of $2,812,029 in the USA. The production company for the film was Live Entertainment, and the still hugely popular film has won an astonishing 11 awards and has had 9 nominations. This includes an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and an ALFS Award for Newcomer of the year in 1994. 

This is England

Shane Meadows is the Writer and Director for the independent  film 'This is England' which is set in a very English summer of 1983. The film focuses on the youth sub-cultures of Mods, New Romantics and Skin Heads in the early eighties and of the British working class life. The story is told through the perspective of 12 year old Shaun, played by Thomas Turgoose, who having spent the summer holidays alone is welcomed into a skin head pack and shown the excitement of the new lifestyle. The popular film deals with issues such as racism and xenophobia in the midst of mass unemployment in Thatcher's Britain. This is England was given a certificate of 18 and falls into the crime and drama genres. Its first release was at Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on the 12th September 2006, but was then released in UK on 27 September 2007. In 2008 the film won a BAFTA award for Best British Film and nominated for Best Screenplay.



Struck By Lightning

Chris Colfer wrote and starred in the independent film Struck By Lightning which was directed by Brian Dannelly. It was first released at Tribecca Film Festival in April of 2012 and then saw a national US release in January 2013. The popular film begins with the protagonist being struck by lightning an then shows the retrospective narrative of Carson Phillips as he recounts his senior year and how he blackmailed his fellow students in order to better his chances at getting into the college of his dreams. The dramatic comedy is very witty and sophisticated, targeted at young adults it also entertains older audiences. It was certified a 12 in the UK due to slight strong language. Produced by Permut Presentations, in the opening weekend the film grossed $12,940 in the USA. The popular film won an Audience Award at the Key West Film Festival in 2012.

P1- Media Giants trees

General Electric

General Electric are a Media Giant, which own many well known companies in media including Universal Studios and NBC. Universal specialises in producing very successful films a couple of examples I have found are the children's animated film and its sequel 'Despicable Me'. This franchise is quite recent and being watched by audiences of all ages due to its use of humour and also the loveable 'Minion' mascot. The other film I found was created by Universal was 'Jaws' the much loved, classic thriller film. This film has seen 3 sequels as the first was such a hit. Both of these films, (Despicable me and Jaws) have their own attractions in the infamous theme park, Universal Studios Orlando. Having seen the great films, people are encouraged to experience them in person at the award winning theme park owned by General Electric. This media giant also owns NBC, the NBC network broadcasts hit tv shows such as, 'Hannibal' and 'Smash'. These shows have their respective genres which appeal to different audiences, thus creating a much larger number of viewers for the network. Another company owned by General Electric is NBC Universal, an American media and entertainment company, it produces a popular men's magazine that specialises in men's fashions, music, celebrities and other popular subjects at the moment. These three separate companies highlight how broad the market range is for General Electric and how easy it is for them to push and publicise their other forms of media through each other.  

News Corporation

News Corporation is another Media Giant that owns the hugely popular FOX Network. A couple of examples I have found that Fox has created Glee a dramatic comedy popular with a huge and wide audience due to its many themes and also New Girl a light comedy that focuses on a young adult audience. Both of these shows are very popular for the network, Glee being slightly older has also seen a movie, soundtracks and two tours. Similar to Fox, News Corp is the owner of Fox Searchlight Pictures which specialises in the production of many popular films. One example I found is the timeless classic, Juno. This American movie focuses on the life of 16 year old, Juno, and her dealing with a teenage pregnancy. The film is very light hearted, witty and warm it has a huge success with the film itself and its soundtrack. The other movie that I found was produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures was the more recent '127 Hours', this British-American biographical film stars James Franco as real life canyoneer, Aron Ralston. The film shows Aron's trip through Blue John Canyon where he gets trapped for 127 hours. The realistic and successful film was labeled 'as gut wrenching as it was inspirational'. News Corporation is also the owner of 'News UK' a print company which producers publications such as The Times and The Sun. Both newspapers are published daily, The Times was first founded in 1785 where as the tabloid Newspaper, The Sun was founded much later in 1964. As News Corp owns both on screen media and print media companies it is able to advertise their other products through these. For example if Fox Searchlight Pictures has a new film on release then The Sun could interview the star actor. This easy advertisement method allows for a lot more publicity and success for the companies involved. 

Walt Disney

Walt Disney is a much loved house hold name. Every generation has fallen in love with the company and its productions since Mickey Mouse's creation in 1928. Since then Disney has grown and expanded to huge proportions. Walt Disney films has worked with the animation company, Pixar, to produce hugely succesful cartoon films such as 'Toy Story' and the more recent, 'UP'. Toy Story was so popular that from its initial release in 1996 it was followed by Toy Story 2 in 1999, Toy Story 3 in 2010 and finally a mini movie 'Toy Story of Terror' in 2013. There are many more classics created by Disney and Pixar combined and so in one of the Disney World theme parks, 'Disney Hollywood Studios' a section was created entitled 'Pixar Place' where they feature attractions of the movies created together. This use of theme park builds the publicity of the films and allows fans a place to experience their favourite films. Walt Disney is also owner of 'Disney Magazines' a company which focuses on creating magazines targeted specifically at children featuring their favourite characters. A couple of examples I have found are 'Princess' magazine and 'Marvel Super Heroes'. Both of these print publications include posters, mini stories and creative activities for children. Another company owned by Walt Disney is the TV channel 'Disney Channel', it was primarily targeted at young teenagers and since then has partner channels such as 'Disney Junior' for young children and 'Disney XD' primarily targeted for boys. Disney Channel was first created in 1995, and has created popular shows such as Hannah Montana and The Suit Life of Zach and Cody. Both have since stopped running but are definitely labeled the classics of Disney Channel. With Walt Disney being adored by many generations the theme parks are a fantastic home for the beloved characters and a great way to boost publicity and popularity of it's many productions.