“Uses and gratifications theory (UGT) proposes that people choose to consume certain kinds of media because they expect to obtain specific gratifications as a result of those selections” (What Is Uses and Gratifications Theory in Media Psychology?). There are four main “tiers” to this theory. These include: surveillance, identity, relationships, and diversion. Surveillance deals with the idea that the audience wants to view a production in order to gain knowledge and understanding about certain topics, this usually includes programs such as the news and documentaries. Identity deals with the way a viewer figures out who they are by watching characters on productions and other forms of media. Relationships in this theory show how some audiences utilize characters or relationships of characters in films in order to fill that void of absence or loneliness in their own lives. Lastly, diversion describes how individuals may use the media as an escape from reality, or to make up for the lack of satisfaction in their own lives. The Uses and gratifications theory may be used by filmmakers to cater toward specific audiences. With my film intro, my group mates and I are able to use the emotional aspects of this theory, like relationships, to demonstrate the situation of being close with and then losing a best friend in order to create a relatable scenario and tug at the viewers’ heartstrings, thus gaining more audience members.Media theories are used within sociology to explore how the media affects society. Some popular ones include but are not limited to: The Uses and Gratification Theory, The Media Effects Theory from Bandura, and Stuart Hall’s Theory of Representation. I imagine we will be incorporating one or more of these theories into our two minute film intro in order to add depth to our project. For example, the Uses and Gratification theory could be utilized when the character is grieving over his potentially dead friend; the audience members may relate to this scenario and subconsciously use the personal relationships element of the theory in order to feel less alone. 

Vertical integration is the process of when a company oversees the complete process of planning and production of its own product. However, horizontal integration means that when businesses want to grow, they can increase the size of their companies by acquiring other companies that are similar to them in the industry. These two processes are similar to each other in that they both involve the growth of their companies. Our group is utilizing vertical integration in the sense that we have complete control over our whole production process. We are planning, filming, editing, and uploading the film intro all on our own as a group. We are unable to use horizontal integration due to the fact that this is a school project and there is no need to merge companies because this is solely for educational and testing purposes.

According to studiobinder.com, “Comedy is any work that is intended to incite laughter and amusement, especially in theater, television, film, stand-up comedy or any other entertainment medium.” My film introduction mainly focuses in on the genre of drama. However, there are a few comedic aspects of the two minutes. For example, in the montage of the two friends spending time with each other out on the town, they “goof-off” with each other and let loose. Max and his friend can be seen laughing throughout the montage and joking around in the ice cream shop. This allows the audience to experience joy before the sudden transition into the unexpected car crash and following scene in which Max's friend is visibly devastated. 

The Walt Disney Company has been around for one hundred years. It is an American multinational, mass media and entertainment corporation that is headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney mainly produces films such as Moana, Aladdin, and Cinderella; along with television shows on the Disney Channel like Liv and Maddie, Bunk’d, and Good Luck Charlie. Our film intro deals with heavy topics such as loss, grief, and confusion; therefore, I don’t believe our potential film would belong on a platform like Disney. In order to be a successful film on Disney, it would probably need to be more lighthearted and vivid in graphics (along with a much higher production budget).