I decided to pick Warp Films as my film openings distributors. I thought this was appropriate as Warp Films distribute films of the same genre (Thriller) as mine, for example such as Dead Man’s Shoes and Exhibit A. Warp Films is one of the UK’s most critically acclaimed production and distribution companies. I learned about Warp Films on my study day at the BFI. It is a small independently owned film production and distribution company based in Sheffield and London in the United Kingdom – we thought this was suitable for our film opening as ours is a small, independent film and edited on a small scale independently.

Why I chose Warp Films to distribute my film opening

I attended an A Level study day called UK Cinema: Audiences and Insitutions on Wednesday 11th February at the BFI presented by Matthew Hall. I learned about distributors Warp and Vertigo. This helped me decide which distributor would be appropriate for my film opening. From completing research, as shown below, on the the distribution of a small independent crowd sourced film (Tortoise in Love) as well as a Hollywood blockbuster (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1), I learned that distribution is incredibly important in gaining attention when releasing a film.

Influence of A Level Study Day

I found the Warp Films mission statement on a BBC News article.

Warp Films have a very distinct brand identity, firstly being Northern English with their offices based in Sheffield they believe that there is a ‘distinctive auteur filmmaking’ market. Artists come up with ideas, they work for less money but get a cut of the profit made distributing the film. Warp prides themselves for distributing ‘artist-driven content’ with ‘profit participation’ scheme meaning cast/crew get a share of revenue – inspiring ‘creative freedom’ and developing talent. For example they created their first film with TV and film enthusiast Chris Morris and released a short BAFA winning film My Wrongs. Due to Warp having a record label background, they endorse a ‘bedroom producer ethos’ of challenging and experimental music to be played on their films. This allows their distribution network to already be established. Films that are distributed are aimed at middle ground between ‘arthouse’ and ‘complex’.

Warps Mission Statement

What is distribution?

The distribution of a film is a process that entitles a movie to be made available to watched by audiences. This process is made by a film distributor.

What do distributors do?

How do distributors raise awareness?The distribution of a film with the help of film promotion is a necessity in persuading people to go and watch a film. Technology allows this to be possible, promoting the film – making synergy persuading people to go and watch a film.

Shown in my presentations of my Case Studies of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Tortoise in Love, distributors arrange screenings, DVD rights for films to be played in cinemas and homes, organize press interviews and coverage of the films.

A film can be distributed using a variety of different techniques such as through P&A (Posters and Advertising), films website, social media sites and networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, cast and crew interviews, premieres and trailers. I watched tutorials on the FDA website, I learned that trailers shown in the cinema are the most powerful source of distribution and promotional technique as they are delivering information/a message to the target audience of their film. If audiences watch the trailer in the cinema they will be ‘nearly’ experiencing the actual film.

What research did I do to find out about distributors?

I completed research on the FDA website. I learned about the steps completed to distribute a film. For example, once a film has been produced and edited, the film can be distributed. I learned about the process distributors take before a film is distributed:

1. Distributors discussion their intentions and plans for the distribution of the film with film makers, producers, cinema exhibitors, PR agencies, publishers and designers.

2. The film company or producer gains rights to start filming the planned storyline from the script.

3. A finance deal is completed by lawyers and the distributors release a strategy. 4. The chosen distributors screen the proposed film to the exhibitors (cinema companies

such as Odeon, Vue) and settle an agreement whether it is suitable to be shown in cinemas. The release date is chosen.

5. The marketing campaign to promote the film is started, aiming to create synergy for connections between the film produced and different ways in which is is promoted.

6. The film is finally printed with an age rating such as 15 or 12A, this is called the BBFC - British Board of Film Classification. This age rating is presented to cinemas

7. The film is ready for audience to watch and cinemas settle on viewing dates and times depending on demand, this can be judged on how successful the promotion and distribution of the film is.

Case StudiesPlease click on the presentations below on this page to view my research.

I also completed research on the distribution of What We Did On Our Holiday.