Film Distribution and Marketing

1. What is meant by the term film distribution?

 

Film distribution is when a film is made, then shown to an audience in a cinema. Between this is also the stage where people are made aware of the film, for example through marketing campaign and advertisments.

2. What does a film distributor do?

 

• Producer/company acquires rights to film a sotry or treatment.
• Screenplay is developed by one or more writers.
• Production finance and cast and crew are confirmed.
• Principal photography takes place, in studios and/or on agreed locations, followed by some months of post-production, editing and scoring.
• Distributor develops release strategy, considers release date, and takes delivery of a master print of the finished film.
• Distributor presents the film to exhibitors and negotiates bilateral agreements to have it shown in cinemas.
• Distributor's marketing campaign aims to create a 'want to see' buzz among the target audience and launches the film.
• Film prints including the British Borad of Film Classification certificate are delivered to cinemas a few days before opening.
• Film's run extends any number of weeks subject to demand, which may be augmented by additional marketing.
• Following its run in cinemas, the film is released in other formats (home entertainment, television) and quickly becomes a catalogue title.

Chart taken from: 'Guide to UK film distribution 2012', page 9.


3. How does reach relate to film distribution?

The reach of a film relates directly to the film distribution as if the film is not marketed and/or distributed well, its reach will be less. For example, part of the marketing campaign for each film is advertising. Without advertising, many people would likely not hear about the film and as a result may not ever see it.

 

 

4. What is meant by the marketing plan?

 

"The marketing objective is to create visibility, raise awareness and engage interest, cutting through the blizzard of competing messages." - 'Guide to UK film distribution 2012', page 21.

 

Each film is marketed similarly, but to different consumer audiences. There are several marketing techniquesm such as film posters, trailers, online sites and mobile media. Each of these targets specific audiences, for example a horror film is more likely to be marketed towards young adults aged 15+, or possibly even 18+, as opposed to a film like 'Toy Story' which is aimed toward young children and families.

 

5. What is meant by the distribution plan?