Ex_Machina Research

Ex Machina is a 2015 independent science fiction psychological thriller film

written and directed by Alex Garland in his directorial debut, and produced by
Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich. Made on a budget of $15 million, the film
grossed $36.9 million worldwide and received critical acclaim. Principal
photography began on 15 July 2013 and was shot over four weeks at Pinewood
Studios and two weeks at Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldalen, Norway. It was
filmed in digital at 4K resolution. 15,000 mini-tungsten pea bulb lights were
installed into the sets to avoid the fluorescent light often used in science fiction
films. The opening office scene is filmed at the Bloomberg Head Office in
Finsbury Square, London. Universal Pictures released Ex Machina in the United
Kingdom on 21 January 2015. However, Universal and Focus Features refused to
release the film in the United States, so A24 Films jumped on board for the
United States release. The film screened on 14 March 2015 at the South by
Southwest festival prior to a theatrical release in the United States on 10 April
2015 by A24 Films. It was shown on 1,255 screens on the opening
weekend1,255. The peak number was 2,004 screens on the 10 th of May 2015
making $3,510,000 (USA).
Alicia Vikander as Ava
Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb Smith
Oscar Isaac as Nathan Bateman
Sonoya Mizuno as Kyoko

the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media

practice;

Who owns the media company has a big influence on what type of film is made
and the success it has. Universal pictures were the distributer of the film ex
machina but didnt own or produce the film. If they were involved the film would
have had a large budget probably making the film better and making a larger
profit. This film is an example of a small company succeeding. The film was
produced by film4 and DNA, these two companies normally work together to

produce films like 12 years a slave. DNA Films has been one of the most
successful production companies that is located in the United Kingdom. DNA
Films is located in London

the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production,

distribution and marketing;
Film4 and DNA worked with universe pictures to distribute the film yet universe
didnt have any involvement in the production of ex machina. Film4 and DNA had
to work together to produce the film as two small companies would have been
too small to product a film on their own and wouldnt have had a big enough
budget.

the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the

levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
The introduction of 3D, DVD, blue ray and internet streaming has made it easier
for people to view the film and makes it more accessible to everybody as now
people dont have to leave their homes to watch the film, people can also watch
the film for free though illegal sites. However, this means the film company has
to make sure it makes a big enough profit to cover the money they lose because
of illegal downloads. Ex machina was never released in the uk in 3d as they
didnt have a big enough budget to create it in 3D, however the film was
converted to 3D in France in a French 3D animation studio, also known as
Sogitec.

the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for

institutions and audiences;
The film has to be accessible on smart films as well as laptops and other devices.
Peoples viewing habits change as people watch films more regularly now it can
be view at home or even outside the home on smartphones.

the importance of technological convergence for institutions and

audiences;
As a small budget film the production company didnt have much money or
resources to market the film. Using the dating app Tinder, a profile was created
for Ava with the image of Alicia Vikander. At the South by Southwest Festival
where the film was screened, "Ava" was matched with other Tinder users,
wherein a text conversation occurred that led users to the Instagram handle
promoting the film. According to Brent Lang, when compared with similar films
released in the same year, Ex Machina catered to young audiences.

the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences

(specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
Universal and Focus Features refused to release the film in the United States, so
A24 Films jumped on board for the United States release. The film screened on
14 March 2015 at the South by Southwest festival prior to a theatrical release in
the United States on 10 April 2015 by A24 Films.