EXPLAINING DISTRIBUTION Ellie Short INTRODUCTION TO DISTRIBUTION The

EXPLAINING DISTRIBUTION Ellie Short

INTRODUCTION TO DISTRIBUTION The communications that reach large numbers of people, such as television, newspapers, and radio. The business of getting films to their audiences by booking them for runs into cinemas and taking them to places in vans or through digital downloads; distributors also create the marketing campaign for films producing posters, trailers, websites, organise free previews, press packs, television interviews. Distributors use their know-how to ensure that DVDs of the film end up in shops and on supermarkets. Distributors also keep the BBFC certificate, and try to get films released as the most favourable times of the year for their genre, etc.

UK DISTRIBUTION In the UK distribution is very focused on marketing and sustaining a global product in local markets. The phrases of making a film are most effective when ‘Vertically Integrated’. This includes production, distribution and exhibition. These three stages are all part of the same large process under the control of one company. Examples of UK distributors, 20 th Century Fox Entertainment One UK Lionsgate etc. .

INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTION In the Independent film sectors, vertical integration does not operate as frequently. Producers tend to not have long term links with distributors who likewise also have no ties with exhibitors. Distribution is a collaborative process, that requires the rights of a producer and co operation with an exhibitor to promote the film in as many positive ways possible. Distribution can be broken down into three stages Licensing, Marketing and Logistics.

LOGISTICS Distributor will come to an agreement with a cinema to screen the film on certain dates. Then, it’s the job of the distributor to arrange how the film reaches the cinema, as part of its wider range of print across the whole of the UK. Logistics is about supplying and circulating copies of film to cinemas and also DVDs to shops, and also the management of the impact the supply has. Cinemas spend their money publicising film release dates and times in local papers and on billboards around the surrounding towns. So its key that the film is received by the cinemas at a specific time and in time for the first few showings of the film.