Film Distribution In the film business Distribution refers

Film: Distribution In the film business, Distribution refers to the circulation of movies to cinemas (Mainstream, Independent, IMAX) & to homes (DVD, Download, TV).

The Distribution Stages of filmmaking consist of FIVE main stages. Film: 1. The Majors 2. Independents 3. Selling A Film 4. Launching A Film 5. Logistics

Film: Distribution 1. It has been said that making a movie, is not nearly as difficult as getting it distributed. 1. When investing in a film, an enormous amount of cost in time & money is required to fund the separate stages. 2. For distributing a movie, a distributor must feel confident that they can make a sufficient return on their original investment. 3. Being backed by a Major Studio/Actor/Director, can improve the chances of securing a good distribution deal (As the film has a larger chance of success)

Film: Distribution A Film Distributor can either be: a) An independent company b) A subsidiary company of a ‘Major’ c) A private individual investor. • They act as an agent between a film production company & film exhibitor, by securing placement of the producer's film on the exhibitor's screen. • Independent filmmakers often use film festivals as an opportunity to attract distributors.

Film: Distribution ‘The Majors’

Film: The ‘Majors’ • Distribution is about releasing & sustaining films in the market place. • For Hollywood ‘Majors’, the phases of production, distribution & exhibition are often 'vertically integrated’. • Vertical integration is a term used when production, distribution and exhibition are all part of the same larger process, under the control of one individual company. “A global leader in the marketing & distribution of feature films, operating offices in over 30 countries & releasing films in 120 international territories either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and coventures. ” For Example: • Warner Bros is vertically integrated as they not only develop & produce films, they also have their own distribution systems that sell their films worldwide: (Warner website)

Film: The ‘Majors’ • Most of major studios have their own distribution companies. For example, Disney owns Buena Vista, a major distributor. Advantages: • It is very simple to set up a distribution deal • The parent company does not have to share the profits with another company. Disadvantages: • When an expensive movie is a flop - there's no one else to share the costs. • This is the reason why several studios partner on major movies. For example, "Star Wars: Episode One" was produced entirely by Lucasfilm but distributed by Fox.

Film: Independent Question: What differences are there in the distribution of Independent films compared to ‘The Majors?

Film: Independents • International distribution requires films finding their way to the 90+ market 'territories' around the world. • The major US studios generally have their own distribution offices in all the major territories. • By contrast, independent producers have to sell their films to different distributors in each territory. • Therefore in the independent film sector, vertical integration does not operate. Producers tend not to have long-term economic links with distributors, who likewise have no formal connections with exhibitors. • With no worldwide distribution offices (like the majors), independents have to sell the legal right to exploit their film to a distributor. This process is called licensing.

Film: Selling A Film Question: What factors help a distributor SELL a film?

Film: Selling A Film • Distributors must have knowledge of the marketplace & costs involved in releasing a film in that territory: – Which cinemas/video outlets/broadcasters will draw an audience? • Factors that help sell a film: • Major Studio Backing • Target Audience • Star Power + Buzz • • Great Story • Season/Time of Year • Franchise/Sequel These factors help a distributor determine: – The number of prints to make. Each print costs about £ 1000, so they must consider which cinemas a movie can successfully open in. – Which cinemas. Many screens in the UK are in urban areas. A popular movie might fill seats in several cinemas in the same city. – Opening a movie on 3, 000 screens can cost £ 3 m in prints alone! The distributor must be sure it can draw crowds to justify the costs.

Film: Launching A Film Question: What factors need to be considered when launching a film?

Film: Launching A Film • In the UK, films are released theatrically (in cinemas). • The schedule for releases is coordinated by the Film Distributors Association. A distributor will assess this schedule & identify a release date. • The Distributor will: • Look for a 'light' week that will ensure both screen space & adequate review column inches in the press. • Consider the seasonality of the film if necessary. • Try to avoid a release date occupied by other films with similar traits (story, subject, country of origin). • This release planning has become increasingly difficult in the UK as up to 10 new features are released each week.

Film: Logistics Question: What needs to be considered when films are distributed to chosen institutions?

Film: Logistics • The distributor is responsible for supplying and circulating copies of the film to cinemas (reels). • Individual films are distributed to projectionists on separate reels on separate days for security. – Specialised films will often be released with fewer than 10 prints. – Commercial mainstream films will often open on over 200 prints. – Film popularity determines how many screens it will be shown on • The distributor is also responsible for managing the effectiveness of supply to all Retail & Rental companies. • 18 weeks after its theatrical release, the film is packaged & released on many different formats: DVD Blu-Ray Download Pay TV Free-to-Air TV • • •

Film: Distribution End.