Distribution

What is a film distributor? 

A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. The distributor may set the release date of a film and the method by which a film is available for viewing. Their role is to get the film into cinemas and make sure people are aware of the film, through advertisement, and go and watch it. 

What is a P&A budget?
This is the prints and advertising budget for the film. Its the money a company is willing to set aside to accomplish its marketing objectives.

What is the average distribution cost for the big six? 
The average distribution cost for one of the big six can be ask much as 50% of the production budget.

What does this budget include?

• Posters
• Trailers
• Billboards
•  Websites
• Viral videos
• Merchandising
• Actor interviews, TV appearances and premiers
• Opening weekend of the film release 

What is a simultaneous release? 

Simultaneous Release is the name given to an experimental new method of making movies available to consumers. Simultaneous releasing of a movie removes these windows: the movie is released to cinemas and other channels such as DVD, internet and television, on or around the same date.

What are some main distribution companies? 

• 20th Century Fox
• Metro Goldwyn Mayer 
• Icon Productions 
• Columbia Pictures 
• Paramount Pictures 

What do you think is the link between audiences and distribution? 

Define audience positioning + What is audience positioning? 
All media texts have a series of encoded signs and messages - the audience decode these messages. different audiences will decode these messages differently. Audiences are made up of individuals who are either passive or active. 
Active = this audience responds to and interprets the media text in different ways and actively engages with the message.
Passive = this audience does not actively engage with the text. they do not question the text and accept the reading without challenge. they, therefore, might be more affected by the messages within the text.

Why is the release date crucial? 
The release date is crucial to a film because it determines how successful it will be. The release date is usually set on a date the coincides with a school/bank holiday. This is because there will be lots of family's and teens off work/school making the cinema more convenient. Also the date has to be set so it does not clash with other films, especially big ones. this is so they have as little competition as possible when it comes out to consumers have less choice about what to see in the cinema.

What is self distribution? 
Self distribution is where you cut out the middle man (the film distributor) and the production company distributes the film themselves. Self distribution is normally used by films with very small budgets.

Examples of ways a film can be released... 

• Standard release 
• Simultaneous release
• Straight to video release 
• Internet release 

Terminology

1. Mainstream = Ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.
2. Independent = An independent film or indie film is a film production produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system, as well as being produced and distributed by independent company's.
3. Distribution = Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience.
4. Marketing = The practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution.
5. Exchange = how a film is viewed whether its in a cinema, at home or on a device via streaming.
6. Multinational = A company or firm that has branches all over the world and offers a branch of services such as Walt Disney.
7. Monopoly = Where one single company dominates all or nearly all of the market for a given product.
8. Oligopoly = Where the market consists of a select few companies having significant influence over an industry- the big six.
9. The big six = 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney and Universal Studios.
10. Horizontal integration = This is where a production company expands into other areas of one industry. This means that the company can develop in a particular area of production or they can buy out another company that deals with these areas. 
11. Vertical integration = This is when the production company has the ownership of the means of production, distribution and exhibition of the film by the same company, because of this they receive all of the profit.
12. Synergy = Is the simultaneous release of two or more products to promote each other.
13. Merchandising = Branded products that help to promote a film or media event such as Iron Man helmets sold in children's toy shops.
14. Ultra violet = Allows you to store digital versions of films bought on DVD or Blu-ray. This enables playback on different devices using multiple applications from several different streaming services.
15. Above the line = Where mass media is used to promote a brand or film. These include conventional media as we know it, television and radio advertising, print as well as internet.    
16. Below the line = An advertising strategy in which a product is promoted in mediums other than radio and television etc. 
17. Technology convergence/cross media convergence = The combining of two or more mediums, like the film industry working together with the music industry (Adele releasing to promote the film)
18. Consumption =  The sum of media information taken in by a group or individual.
19. Exhibition = The last stage of a film's distribution journey, showing the film in theatres.
20. Piracy = Obtaining, copying and distributing a media material without proper rights of legal ownership. 
21. Tie In = A media product such as a book, video game or movie that makes use of material presented in another usually more well-known media product. For example: a video game that was a tie-in to a popular movie- Lego Batman game etc.

Technology

Audience and Cinema Going Statistics

What days to audiences go to the cinema?
 Mainly weekends as they offer more free time than in the week.

What are the most popular genres?
Comedy, Adventure and Action

What was the top film in each of these genres? 

• Action and Adventure: Insurgent, Ant Man, Furious 7, Avengers Age of Ultron, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
• Comedy: Spy, Get Hard, Daddy's Home, Inside Out, Trainwreck, Pitch Perfect.

How do audiences hear about films?
Mainly through trailers and word of mouth.

Do audiences prefer US, UK or other nationality films?
The US have recently produced some of the biggest blockbusters including the Marvel series resulting in the majority of audiences preferring US films to UK or other nationality films. 

Do audiences like 3D films?
No, 3D films are quickly declining in interest as they are hard to watch and are unrealistic. 

What other ways do audiences watch film aside from the cinema?
The majority of audiences use streaming services such as Netflix more frequently than going to the cinema as it is more convenient. 

Who do audiences go to the cinema with?
Friends predominately but the occasional family member

When and where are most audiences likely to go to the cinema?

Independent Cinema

Independent Cinemas

• Cramphorn Theatre
• Genesis - London
• The Cornerhouse - Manchester
• The Orion - Burgess Hill
• Rich Mix - London
• Rio - London
• National Media Museum - Bradford
• The Phoneix - London
• Prince Charles - London

The majority of the cinemas above will only attract a small audience. this is because the films they show only appeal to a small minority of people. Also the films do not spend heavily on advertising meaning the most of the films are relatively unknown. the usual audience to these types of films are middle aged people or university students.  

 

Icon Films

Summit Entertainment

Film4

Independent Film Research

The Riot Club

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Pre - Production Information

In May 2013, it was confirmed that Episode VII would be filmed in the United Kingdom. Representatives from Lucasfilm met with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to agree to produce Episode VII in the UK. Osborne also committed £25 million ($37 million) of public money towards the film, claiming it was a boost for British culture and the film industry.
In October 2013, other crew members were confirmed, including sound designer Ben Burtt, director of photography Daniel Mindel, production designers Rich Carter and Darren Gilford, costume designer Michael Kaplan, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, re-recording mixer Gary Rhdstrom, supervising sound editor Matthew Wood, visual effects supervisor Roger Guyett, and executive producers Tommy Harper and Jason McGatlin.

Film Press

Film release cover...

Poster...

Release date - December 17, 2015

Historical content - Before Star Wars the force awakens there have been 6 other Star wars films produced before it. This shows that Star wars is a very successful franchise as it has a big enough audience and income which has meant 7 films have been able to be made and with the force awakens making $1.871 billion on box office release it shows that Star wars is still hugely watch and adored by many people.

General factors:

• Release data in the UK = December 17, 2015
• Release date in the US = December 18, 2015
• Production company = Wait Disney
• Director = J.J. Abrams

Cast:

• Harrison Ford as Han Solo
• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
• Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
• Daisy Ridley as Rey
• John Boyega as Finn
• Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
• Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca

Budget = $200 million

Audience and Exhibition

Top Grossing Films of 2015

1) Star Wars: The Force Awakens 
$851M
Production Company: Disney (Lucas Films)
Release Date: December 18th
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Format: 2D, 3D and IMAX
This is the 7th film of the Star Wars series.

2) Jurassic World
$652M
Production Company: Universal Studios
Release Date: June 10th
Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Format: 2D, 3D and IMAX
This is the 4th film of the Jurassic Park series.

3) Avengers: Age of Ultron
$459M
Production Company: Disney (Marvel Studios)
Release Date: May 1st
Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
Format: 2D, 3D and IMAX
This is the 2nd Avengers film.

4) Inside Out
$356M
Production Company: Pixar
Release Date: June 17th
Genre: Animation/Adventure/Comedy/Drama/Family/Fantasy
Format: 2D, 3D and IMAX
Inside Out is not part of a series.

5) Fast & Furious 7
$350M
Production Company: Universal Studios
Release Date: April 3rd
Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
Format: 2D and IMAX
This is the 7th film in the Fast and Furious series.


Four of the top five films are made by one of the big six. Disney and Universal Studios made two each.
Inside Out was aimed at younger audiences. Also Avengers: age of Ultron and Jurassic World were aimed at younger audiences but they would also appeal to their parents and teenagers.
All the films but one are actions

Cinema Research

Cinema has a big influence over how much money a film makes from income and takings, however as technology develops further this could change. The survey below shows how target audiences (between ages 15-25) consume films.