FILM 407 Capstone: Film and Media Management (Porst) Spring 2025

Definition: "A white paper is a report or guide that informs readers concisely about a complex issue and presents the issuing body's philosophy on the matter. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision." --Wikipedia

Business white papers typically have these core elements:

• Title: A specific question about the topic.
• Context / trigger / situation: "Here's what got me thinking about it."
• 3-4 high level observations: About trends or current shifts: "Here's what I notice."
• Forecast / predictions / assessment: "Here's where I think it's going."

Here are some sample white papers on media industry issues from consulting firms and a non-profit organization:

• Top five media and entertainment trends to watch in 2025 (EY)
• Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT) Predictions 2025 (Deloitte) - a report that includes multiple white papers, including:
• Reevaluating direct-to-consumer: The shift toward video aggregators (Deloitte)
• Large studios will likely take their time adopting generative AI for content creation. Social media isn’t hesitating. (Deloitte)
• Beyond the frame: creating a cinematic hub through a dynamic film city (KPMG)
• Perspectives from the Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024-2028 (PwC)
• Speech in the Machine: Generative AI's Implications for Free Expression (PEN America)

The PEN America and Deloitte white papers are good examples of how white papers incorporate citations for external information sources that they consult.

• Who is your audience?
• What are the important elements to include about the background of the topic you’re addressing? (“Just the facts”...)
• What are the top 3-5 takeaways you want your audience to remember?
• Keep it concise! Provide citations and links to more expansive materials.
• Use a straightforward and direct writing style.