Production

The Big Six

The six "majors" command approximately 90% of box office takings

Paramount Pictures
Universal
20th Century Fox
Warner Bros. Pictures
Walt Disney
Columbia Pictures

They are part of of vast conglomerates that are both vertically and horizontally integrated

The "Indies"

Studios that work outside the major studio system are know as 'independents" or "indies"

Summit Entertainment
Film 4 Productions
Icon Productions

The "Mini- Majors"

Some of the leading "independent" studios have come to be know as "mini-majors" these include studios such as:

Dreamworks
The Weinstein Company
Lionsgate Entertainment

Production refers to the making of the film

Finding the idea
Writing the script
Assigning it to a studio
Setting up a budget
Hiring crew and casting actors
Filming
Editing

In order for a film to begin production, it needs investors to provide funding
The box office success is never guaranteed so investors try to reduce the risk of losing their money by becoming involved
Before a director can start filming the funding has to be made available by all investors

Distribution

The distribution part of the film industry is a highly competitive business of launching films in the stores. Every film has its own distribution plan to make sure the movie hits the right audience. When starting a marketing campaign, the film distributor to decide how it will represent a film to a potential audience. Marketing is one of the most important aspects of a film's distribution

Posters
Trailers
Special Premieres
Merchandising
Interviews

Exhibition

After a film is released in the theater, the film is released to several different streaming services. Examples of different streaming services is Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Starz, etc. This is an opportunity to make profit long after the movie leaves the theater. Other ways of exhibition for films is DvDs and when the movie airs on television.