3 DISTRIBUTION

WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT DISTRIBUTE YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT AND WHY?

Firstly, I completed research on the FDA website by watching A VIDEO about the role of the distributor . I previously wrote a post on my research HERE. I learned about the specific steps which are taken to distribute a film.

Secondly, I completed a case study on the distribution of Hollywood blockbuster Jurassic World

Thirdly, I completed a case study on the distribution of independent, crowd funded Tortoise in Love - as shown below.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

WHICH MEDIA INSTITUTION AND WHY?
I decided that Warp Films should distribute my film because when researching into the types of films they produce and distribute, many are of the same genre of mine. Another reason why I decided to chose Warp films to distribute my film was because they tend to distribute films which are critically acclaimed and get nominated for awards, which is hopefully what would happen with our film, therefore a legitimate reason for wanting Warp to distribute it.

Here is a LINK to my BLOG POST on WHY I CHOSE WARP?

On the 9th of February 2016, I learnt about both British independent distribution companies which were Warp Films and Vertigo. The A Level study day was at the BFI Southbank and was on the topic of UK Cinema: Audiences and Institutions. Matthew Hall's presentation and his detailed analysis on both of the companies heavily influenced my choice of distributors for my film.

Here is a LINK to my BLOG POST on the BFI STUDY DAY


RESEARCH ON THE FDA WEBSITE
The Role of the distributor is to sell the film to cinemas so that the film can earn a revenue. They do this by:
- Identifying its audience
- Considering why they'd go see the film
- Estimating the revenue
- Persuading exhibitors to play the film to the public (in a cinema)
- Developing plans and partnerships
- Building interest and buzz about the film
- Aiming to convert as much interest as possible into film visits

Target Audience:

The distributor needs to consider who will want to see the film and who are the film's target audience. Every single film has a target audience, such as romantic comedies, are tend to be directed towards older girls and women aged between 14-30.

The reason finding their target audience is so important is because they will base their marketing campaign on them. The most frequent cinema-goers are young adults aged between 15-24 and family groups. This tends to be the core audience. Films which tend to appeal to other groups and audiences have to be exceptional to sustain a viable theatrical life.

Distributors usually think:
- WHO will want to see the film?
- WHY will they want to see the film?
- HOW will they be persuaded to see the film?

UK Distributors:

There are many ways in which UK distributors acquire the films they release. They can acquire them from:
- A third party sales agent, acting on behalf of a producer
- A continuous flow of new content from a parent studio
- A studio or prouduction company with whom the distributor has negociated an output deal covering a slate of titles
- A single title acquired at any stage before, during or after the production

This is the video I used to research all my information about distribution and other important aspects to a film's release. 

Release Date:

The marketing team usually put the film in the best possible release date. Such as, there are many films aimed at children which are released during the summer, since they are on holiday and don't have school. Big franchises tend to have a certain release date in mind during the production of the film. 15 years ago, it could be said that there were quiet times of the year when it came to blockbuster films not being shown, however now it's a 52-week business period.

Demographics:

The distributors do research by showing the film to carefully selected groups, which represent demographics, such as:
- Gender
- Class
- Age
- Race
- Class
- Sexuality
- Nationality.

They usually ask them to fill out a questionaire, which gives a fairly good review of what sort of aspects of the film appeal to who. This will result in the distributors telling the studio what the marketing hook is.

Distribution Companies:

The top American film studios are commonly known as the Big Six and distribute the large-budget films, which have universal appeal and will be distributed around the world. (e.g. Jurassic World)
- 20th Century Fox
- Paramount Pictures 

- Sony 

- Warner Brothers
- Disney
- Universal Studios

Independent film distributors 
(e.g. Carol)
- Lionsgate
- Magnolia Pictures
- A24
- The Weinstein Company

Independent British Film Distributors (e.g. '71)
- Warp
- Vertigo

Here is a LINK to my BLOG POST on RESEARCH ON THE FDA  

JURASSIC WORLD PREZI ON DISTRIBUTION






















Here is a collage of my Prezi on the distribution of a Hollywood Blockbuster, which is Jurassic World (Universal Pictures). I talk about the importance of distribution to the success of Jurassic World and the 'Jurassic Waterloo' idea.


Please give my 20-page Prezi a minute to load down below
In case it doesn't load here is a link to the prezi which will open in a new window


TORTOISE IN LOVE ON DISTRIBUTION AND CROWD FUNDING

I did research by going to the BFI website and read through the booklet through the distribution of Tortoise in Love. Tortoise in Love is a independent film which was simultaneously released in Leicester Square as it was released in town halls across England. It grossed over triple across its wide release (£29,740) in England, than it's own mainstream release (£8,129).

The film also drew attention since almost all of its funding was entirely crowd-sourced by the village of Kingston Bagpuize. The population of the village helped with the making and production of this typical romantic British film by providing various necessities needed for the film to function like props, make-up for the actors/actresses and catering.

The release strategy of it being simultaneously released in village halls, as it did  which made a small profit. Much of the budget of the film was raised by a mini-mogul scheme of small local investors. In return for its spectacular voluntary effort, the village owns a 'Golden Share' of the film meaning that clubs, schools and societies in the village will benefit from any future profits.







DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AMONG INDEPENDENT FILMS

I researched this so that I could have a better understanding among what will be the best way to distribute our film. 

HERE is a LINK to the SLIDESHARE I made about the digital distribution of independent films.