film: distribution. 1.the majors film: 2.independents 3. selling a film 5. logistics 4. launching a...
TRANSCRIPT
Film:Film: DistributionDistribution
1.The Majors1.The MajorsFilm:Film:
2.Independents2.Independents
3. Selling A Film3. Selling A Film
5. Logistics5. Logistics
4. Launching A Film
4. Launching A Film
Film:Film: Distribution
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:Film: Distribution
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:Film: DistributionDistribution
Film:Film: The ‘Majors’
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.
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:
Film:Film: The ‘Majors’
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:Film: IndependentIndependent
Film:Film: Independents
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:Film: Selling A FilmSelling A Film
Film:Film: Selling A 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:
• 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 £3m in prints alone! The distributor must be sure it can draw crowds to justify the costs .
Film:Film: Launching A Film
Launching A Film
Film:Film: Launching A 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:Film: LogisticsLogistics
Film:Film: LogisticsLogistics
• 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:Film: DistributionDistribution