Film Distribution – Task 3

What is distribution?

• Film distribution is the releasing and marketing of a film.

• Film distributors come up with a release strategy, followed by making exhibition deals and promotion deals with companies in order to make a ‘buzz’ and draw more attention towards the film.

• This could be done using various techniques, such as posters, trailers and online advertisements.

20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox is one of the six major film distributors.

It has distributed many successful films and series of films including:• Star Wars• Ice Age• Die Hard• Fantastic Four

As a large company, they also own other companies that are involved with television, and news.

Metrodome Distribution Group

Metrodome Group an independent company that owns, manages, and distributes film, TV and digital content that is based in London.

It is split into two divisions; Metrodome Distribution and Hollywood Classics.

It has distributed smaller films, such as:• Shifty• Kill Keith• Lovely Molly

Not all of the films they distributed went to the cinema, a lot were just released on DVD or other medias.

Our Film

• Our film would most likely be distributed by a more independent distribution company such as Metrodome.

• This is because it is similar to they type of films that they distribute. Whereas larger distribution companies distribute films with larger budgets and films that are in a series, for example Warner Brothers was responsible for all of the Harry Potter films in the series.

• I think that Metrodome would be interested in our film because it has an interesting plot, and they have previous experience of distributing films that are thrillers or horrors therefore they would have the ability to do so.

Audience

• Our film would appeal to audiences all over the world.

• This is because it does not address an issue that only happens in the UK, a kidnapping could occur anywhere and everyone is aware of it.

• I think that it would be particularly successful in the US as well as the UK due to the fact that Taken (a very similar film) was popular in these countries and so are other thrillers.

Marketing and Releasing Strategies

• As our film would appeal to a teenage audience, it would be more beneficial to be released during holidays and half-terms. There is no specific time of year that it would be linked to therefore it could be released at any time during the year.

• I think that it would be profitable to advertise the release of the film on websites used most frequently by teenagers such as Facebook as they would be more likely to see it and therefore take an interest in it.