Film industry (United States)

The American film industry, often referred to as Hollywood (from the place name of its birth), is the industry leader in the form of artistic expression that came to dominate the twentieth century and continues as a popular art form at the beginning of the twenty-first century. While the Lumiere Brothers are generally credited with the birth of modern cinema, it is indisputably American cinema that quickly became the dominant force in the industry.


Prior to the twentieth century, narrative forms were dominated by the oral, then written, and finally printed word. Cinema introduced a new visual culture. The immediacy of the medium created a system of stars with the powerful ability to influence the rest of the culture, for good or for ill. At its best, film creates visual narratives that teach and inspire as they entertain. At its worst, it titillates prurient interests and nudges its viewers to commit acts of evil and stupidity. There is no clearer barometer of cultural values and interests. For that reason, it has also been an arena of ongoing struggle between artistic freedom and artistic responsibility.

The film industry consists largely of multinational umbrella corporations, major studios, and independent studios or indies. Many of the leading film companies are part of larger media conglomerates that often include television, newspaper, cable and magazine segments. American musicians drive the recorded music industry in the United States, and the popularity of their music spans the globe.

More information you can read here:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Film_industry_(United_States)
http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/film-industry-in-united-states
http://www.industryfilms.com/usa/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jun/14/us-film-industry-growth-forecast
http://selectusa.commerce.gov/industry-snapshots/creative-media-industry-united-states