1. THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD The Studio System

2. Before the Studio System Movie industry is divided into three basic economic divisions Production: Studios made films then sold films to distributors Distribution: Distributors then sold films to theaters Exhibition: Theaters then sold tickets to audiences

3. Vertical Integration Studios began to grow and saw an economic benefit in taking over all three aspects of economic control of filmmaking.

4. “Star” System Studios had a “corral” of stars who were under contract and could only work with the studio they were in contract with unless permission was given by the studio. Studios shaped actors into stars by creating films for them and putting them into many films One of the reasons different studios were known for different genres

5. Extension of Corral The contracts for studio work went beyond actors. Everyone who worked on the film was contracted to the studio Studios had creative control, not directors (except in some situations)

6. Block Booking One way studios stayed successful and in control Forced movie houses to buy many “B” films in order to get the “A” films

7. Now it’s your turn Research the “BIG 5” 1. RKO 2. Warner Brothers 3. Famous Players-Lasky (aka Paramount) 4. 20th Century Fox 5. Loew’s (AKA MGM – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) You will, in your groups, be responsible to find out: 1. What (if anything) was their studio tag line? 2. What types (genres) was the studio known for? 3. Who were the major stars and directors? 4. What were the major films?