Films exist to be watched; the better distributed they are, the more viewed they become. There is a colossal group of people working in the heart of the film industry to try and achieve the highest audience possible for each film.
Not all films are distributed into cinemas. Many low budget films are distributed straight onto home entertainment. Each film is distributed slightly differently however the main stages are:
- Released in cinemas
- Released onto Home Entertainment packages like DVD and Blue-Ray
- Payed occurrences on t.v
- Free-to-air t.v, where the film can be repeatedly shown on that channel
Distribution is carried out by one or more distribution company, for instance 'Working Title' (see previous blog), Universal Pictures, Studio Canal and Walt Disney.
This is an ordered sequence of events, ending with the film having been distributed. I have taken this of the FDA website.
- Producer/company acquires rights to film a story or treatment
- Screenplay is developed
- Production finance and cast and crew are confirmed
- Principal photography takes place, in studios and/or on agreed locations, followed
by some months of post-production, editing and scoring - Master print of finished film is delivered to local distributor
- Distributor determines release strategy and release date
- Distributor presents the film to exhibitors and negotiates bilateral agreements
to have the film shown in cinemas
Target Audience
Before deciding on how to distribute a film, you have to fully understand the target audience your film is aimed at. This becomes even more crucial with smaller titles and low budgeted films because they only have a small amount of money to use, so they have to get it right first time. Target audiences are deterred from general knowledge,genres, focus groups and past statistics and data. Marketing can be expensive, so it is important to know where to advertise and at what times. For example the 45+ age group tend to be persuaded by trailers on the t.v, however it usually takes 2-3 weeks before they decide to go out and see it at the cinema; where as a group of 15-16 year olds may turn up at a cinema one night and choose from what is on. So different age groups have to be targeted differently to make the most out of the budget they have.
Advertising and Release Dates
There are just under 2000 films relased each day, world wide; so there is alot of competition. It is important to release your film at an appropiate time. For films targeted at the younger age groups(school goers) the October half term is a prime week to release, as children will be off school, and it will be dark, cold and most likely rainy- this is the perfect weather and week for going to the cinema.
The seasons/weather also ditermine how films are advertised. In the summer there is no point advertising heavily on t.v as people will be outside, enjoying the weather. A better strategy for the summer would be to advertise on bill boards and on the sides of busses as people would be out and about are more likely to see the film.
Funding for Distribution
The funding for distribution would could from the film's budget, investments from distribution companies and lottery based companies. The UKFC (a lottery funded organisation) has a fund specialising in the distribution of films: 'Prints and Advertising fund' donate £90,000 annually. Other of the UKFC's funds also help distribution for example: 'Regional Screen Agencies', and the 'New Cinema Fund'. It is the convergence of all these aspects which result in enough money being raised.
Advertising and Release Dates
There are just under 2000 films relased each day, world wide; so there is alot of competition. It is important to release your film at an appropiate time. For films targeted at the younger age groups(school goers) the October half term is a prime week to release, as children will be off school, and it will be dark, cold and most likely rainy- this is the perfect weather and week for going to the cinema.
The seasons/weather also ditermine how films are advertised. In the summer there is no point advertising heavily on t.v as people will be outside, enjoying the weather. A better strategy for the summer would be to advertise on bill boards and on the sides of busses as people would be out and about are more likely to see the film.
Funding for Distribution
The funding for distribution would could from the film's budget, investments from distribution companies and lottery based companies. The UKFC (a lottery funded organisation) has a fund specialising in the distribution of films: 'Prints and Advertising fund' donate £90,000 annually. Other of the UKFC's funds also help distribution for example: 'Regional Screen Agencies', and the 'New Cinema Fund'. It is the convergence of all these aspects which result in enough money being raised.
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