FilmFour – Java-based Entertainment Industry Solution

Overview : FilmFour is a publicly owned European media-company that produces and distributes 15-20 films annually through cinemas, video, and television. FilmFour Lab often utilizes digital media in the research and development of experimental projects with new, up-coming talent for FilmFour productions. FilmFour utilizes a business-to-business philosophy called FilmFour International, which sells the cinema, video and television rights to FilmFour productions outside the UK . FilmFour productions have made over 300 films in 15 years including: Four Weddings, Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, East is East, Madness of King George, and Brassed Off, which have been central to the resurgence of the British film industry

Launching in November 1998, the FilmFour channel was heralded as one of the best channel launches in British Television history. Available on satellite cable and digital TV, the FilmFour Channel now has over 250,000 subscribers. The company's broad audience appeal attracts over 80% of the United Kingdom television viewing population, with its core demographic of 16-44 year old viewers.

Business Challenge : FilmFour's challenge was to transition their business from a single-dimension television channel into a modern multi-media company. The company's primary focus was to expand its reach and public recognition through the launching of pay TV channels, Internet sites, and the development of content for interactive TV and wireless applications, in addition to the further expansion of feature film production and distribution.

FilmFour's vision is to be the most innovative, entertaining, informative, and useful film website portal in the world for the core FilmFour/Channel 4 United Kingdom audience.

Business Solution: To meet their aggressive business goals, FilmFour required the redesign of its current site (www.filmfour.com) to better support and promote FilmFour's core businesses as well as to provide film information from multiple sources for all types of film users. The site development and design was instrumental in laying the foundation for user personalization and content management. Users have access to FilmFour's extensive long- and short-form film content, both in video and text.

Technical Solution : DDGlobal utilized Java technology (Java Server Pages, Java Beans and Servlets), a Sun Solaris Operating System running against an Oracle 8i backend database and numerous other tools to accommodate FilmFour's requirements for a robust, scalable application that will display the edgy, yet conservative look of FilmFour. The technology developed by DDGlobal provides FilmFour with the ability to easily maintain and manage site content, and even offers users site access via portal or wireless applications, such as AvantGo.

 

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