When you watch a movie, whether it be at the cinema or in the comfort of your own home, it’s seldom you actually think about where the movie was produced and how each film company secured the rights to the movie you’re watching on the screen. The movie business is extremely competitive. The six major film companies discussed below comprise 90 percent of the US and Canadian box office revenue. If you’re pondering a career in film, you may want to pay very close attention to the statistics below.

And while there are a few “mini-majors” still turning a profit in the industry (Lions Gate Entertainment and MGM for example), it’s fairly difficult for film companies to stay afloat while competing with these highly successful empires.

Below you will find the six major film companies (also known as “The Big Six”) and a brief description of each:

1. Warner Bros. Pictures. Comprising a whopping 19.7 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Warner Bros. Pictures is the biggest player in the film industry. Securing the rights to major films like Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, The Matrix and Star Wars have made Warner Bros. the No. 1 name in the business.

2. Paramount Pictures. With 15.5 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Paramount Pictures continues to be one of the most successful film production companies in the world. Star Trek, War of the Worlds, the Mission Impossible series, Transformers and Tropic Thunder are just a few of the popular films produced by Paramount Pictures.

3. Walt Disney. One of the most renowned film production companies in the history of the business, Walt Disney now holds 15.3 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). With highly successful movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, Meet the Robinsons and Enchanted, there’s no doubt that Disney will continue to play a key role in the industry for years to come.

4. Columbia Pictures. Comprising 12.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Columbia Pictures remains a big player in the business. Some of this company’s recent successes include Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, the Spider-Man series and Step Brothers.

5. Universal Studios. 12.2 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures) belongs to Universal Studios, which continues to make millions for the film industry. With major hits like the Bourne series (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum), The American Pie series, Knocked Up, American Gangster and The Incredible Hulk, it’s very clear that Universal Studios knows what it takes to make money in this industry.

6. 20th Century Fox. Also known as “Twentieth Century Fox,” this highly successful movie production company makes up 11.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). Some of the biggest and most successful movies from this empire include the X-Men series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Star Wars Episodes II and III, and the Fantastic Four.

Once again, if you’re looking for a career in the film industry, the six companies listed above are the cream of the crop. If you have the opportunity to work for one of these companies, we wouldn’t suggest passing it up.

Before digital technology solely photographic film was used for picture taking. While digital cameras have enabled a speedier process and a lot more room for error, the quality of a professional film photograph can not be matched for the price. Although the price and convenience of digital photography has resulted in digital cameras outselling film cameras since 2002, we will never see film cameras become completely unavailable. Photographic film and equipment will continue to be an option for enthusiasts. Picture taking is an art form for many who would not think of going digital. They will use time and money to convert their end product to digital in order to share their photos. Much like digital users use time and money getting good prints of their photos!

Digital photography offers many advantages over Film photography.

Pictures are available for instant review. Additional pictures can be taken instantly in the event of a problem. There are virtually no costs to capturing and sharing photos via email and storing on a computer without printing. Photos can be copied from one digital medium to the next without loss of quality. Ability to print photos at home using consumer grade paper or email photos to be printed professionally. Ability to capture hundreds of photos rather than changing film after 24 to 36 shots. Increasingly common anti-shake functionality. A smaller sensor format which allows for smaller lenses, wider zoom lenses and greater depth of field. Ability to change ISO speed settings in the middle of shooting. In film photography the ISO speed is loaded so you must change film to change speeds. Ability to convert the same photo from color to black and white, sepia, etc.

Disadvantages of Digital photography as compared to Film photography.

Dependence on spare batteries or access to an outlet. Film cameras do use batteries but they tend to be smaller and not drained as quickly. Most digital sensors have less dynamic range than color print film. High ISO image noise manifests as multicolored speckles in digital images in contrast to the less objectionable grain of high ISO film. This speckling can be removed by noise reduction computer software however, the removal can cause a loss of fine detail. When highlights burn out they burn to white without details. If any broad area is over exposed the image looks very poor. This effect is similar on cheap pocket cameras. Film cameras retain a level of detail as they burn to white. This mimics our eye much better than digital. This is digitals greatest downfall.

Thus the comparison leads to a choice on an individual basis only. The user needs and skill level and the advantages and disadvantages to both types of photography need to be analyzed in order to choose the better method. If you were to try and purchase a digital camera that matched a film camera feature for feature it would easily be double the price even taking into consideration the savings on film. However, the convenience that digital photography offers may outweigh quality of each individual picture for some persons.

With a good digital camera, it’s as though you’re using the very best Kodak film for every single one of your digital photos. Moreover, digital film processing can be done from the comfort of your own home with the right digital film processing software or with digital photo developing online.

The most standard form of digital film processing is digital photos of 4×5 film processing. By using this size, you can make sure to get the very best in cost and quality, as many digital cameras are designed to function their very best at that level. Moreover, if cost is your primary concern, then you’ll enjoy the advantage that comes with bulk digital photo developing for all of your parties and other important occasions where many people will be wanting copies.

Just like a standard camera with film, digital cameras use a lens and a shutter, except instead recording your image on film, it is captured electronically by way of a sensor, which converts it into a digital file. This file is saved on a memory device, which is frequently removable. This way, you can choose where you’d like to keep your pictures, and specifically what sort of digital film processing is best for you.

For example, some of your digital photos may be fine if they’re kept in digital form on your computer, but others, such as wedding photos, may require better quality digital film processing. This allows you to print your digital pictures on regular paper, photo quality paper, use a home digital film processing printer, or even take it for the professionals to manage, as you would regular film. When it is your regular digital photography that you’ll be digital film processing, however, you’ll love the great benefits of having your digital photo quickly, easily, and accurately.