1. What kind of media institution might
distribute your media product and why?
2. Why have you chosen your production company logo?
One reason why I have chosen this logo as my
production company logo is due to the fact that I feel
that it goes well with my sub-genre of action horror as it
links with the supernatural elements. Moreover I choose
dark colours for my production logo not just because dark
colourings are conventional horror film colours but
because it makes my logo dark and scary which
represents a gory, creepy horror film. I have named my
logo ‘Dark Skies Production’ as the word dark presents the
eerie horror film that would be expected from the
audience. I also included a full moon as it would be a
remerable icon in the logo that makes my logo stand out
from other production company logos out there.
3. What is a production company and what do they do?
A production company is very important in the film industry due to the
fact that without them a film cant be created as the production
company helps produces an awful lot. This help includes specific aspects
such as budgeting, casting, scripting and scheduling, however they also
have the responsibility of finding a director as well as actors that are
actually in the film. They will also deal with any problems that occur ,
such as any injuries or damaged equipment that may take place when
filming. All this shows that a production company makes a number of
important decisions that could either make or break a film therefore they
are a massive part in the production process. There's a difference in
production company’s, because you can get a major production
company which means it’s a production company that releases films on
a regular basis where as an independent production company is a
company that only creates films outside of a major film studio.
4. What is the job of a film distributor?
A film distributor could potentially be a single individual or
a company who is responsible for sending the film out,
ready for the audience to watch. A job of theirs is to set a
release date for the specific film and decide how this film
will be promoted as well as how the film will be shown.
They then have to decide hoe many copies of the certain
film should be made taking in account of the preview for
the film to predict expected buyers after this the film
would be delivered to the cinemas of choice only a
couple of days before the release date so that
preparation can be made. Then once the film has been
shown it’s sent back to the distributor with payment.
5. Independent distributors:
Theses are organisations that sell or deliver another
company’s good/s to stores or facilities such as
cinemas for example which allows customers to
access the specific film of their choice. They also a
payment as a result from the company for the
amount of goods that they sold or how many people
came to watch the film at the cinema for example.
What is the difference between a multinational and
independent distributor?
Multinational distributor or corporation:
This distribution is able to have facilities and other
assets in at least one country other than its own. This
could be seen as an advantage as the company
would be able to get their films around to more
individuals around the world more easily. This could
also lead to them gaining/making more money.
Some multinationals can become very big therefore
they have budgets that exceed those of many small
countries.
6. Lionsgate Films –
This distributor distributes independent films mostly from the genre of horror. This links my film to their
company as they have experience in the horror genre like myself. The company of Lionsgate is of the
American nationality therefore it puts me at a disadvantage if I were to have a really good
company like them because I don’t live in America.
Films distributed by themselves –
• Saw (2004)
• The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
• Bloodsuckers (1970)
• Texas chainsaw 3D (2013)
• The Twilight Saga (2008)
It could be seen that I could related my film to Bloodsuckers as the film is classed around the
supernatural creatures that come out at night therefore my film can relate hugely. The Cabin in the
Woods can also relate to my film because my film has a number of woodland scenes for the location
which is the same as The Cabin in the Woods.
Apart from the nationality of the company of Lionsgate I think they would be a very good distribution
company for my film due to the fact that, they have produced a number of successful film sagas for
the horror genre. Which makes them a good company who I could rely on to attract a suitable
audience for my film as well as this but this company is also able to produce non high budget film
(like the first Twilight film for example) therefore making Lionsgate a possibility.
7. Film4 productions–
This independent British production company that’s owned by Channel Four Television Corporation,
additionally they have also been responsible for a large number of films made in the United Kingdom.
Film4 is more involved in dramas which make this production company less suitable for distributing y film as
they don’t have much knowledge of the horror genre, however they do have a few productions that are
of the thriller/horror genre. However Film4 is very good at producing and distributing low budget films only
because they had no choice other than to make cuts like their budget for example.
Films they have distributed:
• 12 Years a Slave (2013)
• The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
• The Lovely Bones (2009)
• Enduring love (2004)
• Black Sea (2014)
I believe that Film4 could be a potential distributor for my film due to the fact that they have had some
successful films and storylines however not in the horror genre as much. They don’t have as much
experience with the horror genre but due to their other successful projects there could be a possibility that
that they could make my film appeal to my target audience as they have managed to do it with other
projects therefore they should be able to do it with the horror genre because of there experience and
changes of genres. As well as this Film4 have the tendency to produce films from a quite low budget
which is similar to what is needed for my project.
Horror/thriller films that they have distributed:
• Trance (2013)
• Hush (2008)
• The Imposter (2012)
• The Scouting Book For Boys (2009)
8. Warner Bros –
This production company is a multinational production company that specialises in the genre of
entertainment. They are an American distributor who are extremely successful. The Warner Bros are
one of the six major film production and distribution companies which include Walt Disney, Century
Fox and more. Their projects are of high budget therefore I wouldn’t use them as my production
company not only because they aren’t local but also because my project is of a much smaller scale
unlike the projects they take on. Therefore smaller distributers such as Film4 would be a better
distribution company choice for my project.
Horror films they distributed:
• Friday 13th (1980)
• The Conjuring (2013)
• Seven (1995)
• Annabelle (2014)
• Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Most of the Warner Bros projects have had a high success as the audience enjoy them enormously
therefore I would of liked to have a production company like themselves however my project isn’t big
enough for them to take on due to the small scale it has. Most of their successful projects have unique
or new storyline but due to my conventional storyline it puts me at a high disadvantage to even
consider having a massive production company like themselves.
