2. Task 1
Definitions
Production:
The action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials, or the process of being so
manufactured. Production consists of five stages: an initial story being established, idea, or
commission, through scriptwriting where a plan for the entire film is decided, casting where the actors
who shall play the characters are decided, shooting where the film is shot using cameras in the decided
locations, editing in post production where aspects such as sound effects and special effects are added
into the film, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a film
release and exhibition.
Distribution:
The action of sharing something out among a number of recipients. A film can be released through a
number of platforms, including: Theatrical distribution, DVD, Blu-ray, Online distribution, Streaming,
or pay or non pay TV . This allows a wide audience to experience watching the film. The more ways the
film is distributed typically the more successful it will have had to have been.
Exhibition:
A public display of works of art or items of interest, held in an art gallery or museum or at a trade fair.
This means how the audience view the film.
3. Production
Producing a film can be broken down into several different stages, such as: an initial story being
established, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, editing, and screening the
finished product before an audience that may result in a film release and exhibition.
The five major stages of film production are:
• Development – ideas for the film are developed, rights to books/plays are bought, and the
screenplay is written. Funding for the projects has to be found.
• Pre-production – cast and crew are hired, sets are created and locations are selected.
• Production – the raw elements of the film are recorded.
• Post-production – The images, sound, and visual effects of the recorded film are edited.
• Distribution – Now the film is finished, it is distributed and screened in cinemas and/or
released on home video.
Some of the largest film production companies are:
DreamWorks Animation, 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Universal Studios, Paramount
Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel Studios, Warner Bros. Studios and
Touchstone Pictures to list a few.
4. Distribution
Film Distribution allows an audience to view a film by either placing it in a Cinema or releasing I on
home video. The person in charge of film distribution is usually a professional film distributer , who
would them determine a marketing strategy for the film, the ways in which the film shall be presented
to the audience, and who may set the release date of the film.
The two main ways a film may be distributed to an audience are by:
1. Exhibited directly to the audience through a movie theatre or on television
2. Through home viewing, which regards DVD-Video, Blu-ray Disc, Video on demand,
Download, Television programs through broadcast syndication.
Films can be released by Standard release (The film is initially released just in the Cinema. It is then
released on DVD/Blu-ray approximately 4 months after theatrical release, and then finally to the
Television approximately two years after theatrical release) , Simultaneous release (when a movie
is made available to the public through many different windows at one time such as Cinema, DVD and
Internet) , Straight-to-video release (The film is only released to be home viewed, it is not released
in Cinemas) and Internet release.
5. Exhibition
The Exhibition of a film regards how the film can be presented to an audience. The main ways in which
a film can be presented are through:
• Cinemas (Usually at the films initial release)
• Through Home videos (DVD/Blu-ray – usually four months after the film was released in
theatres)
• On the Internet
• On the Television (Usually approximately two years after the film was released in theatres)
• Through film festivals (multiple films displayed at one location over a series of days)
Another way to show people the film is either through Trailers, Teasers, Posters or Standees.
• For example, Hollywood movie distributers spend roughly $4 billion a year to buy paid
advertising, which includes 30-second TV adverts and newspaper advertisements).
6. What is Independent
Cinema?
The technical definition of the phrase
independent film is: any movie that was
funded with less that 50% of that money
came from one of the “big six” major six
film studios, which are Columbia Pictures
(MGM and UA), 20th Century Fox, Walt
Disney Pictures/Touchstone Pictures,
Warner Bros. Pictures, paramount
Pictures and Universal Studios.
Independent films are easy to recognise
as they are noted for having a specialised
style, content and an individual film
maker’s artistic visions.
What is Mainstream
Cinema?
Mainstream films are films that are given
widespread releases after being distributed to
Cinemas. Globally, Mainstream films are the
ones defined as Hollywood films as these are
the most common films to be distributed
widespread.
The Difference between the two:
Regarding budget, more often that not
Independent films have a much smaller budget
that Mainstream films. Also, Independent films
are always made outside a major film studio –
where Mainstream films are made solely in
major studios. A-list actors are more
prominently featured in Mainstream films,
whereas Independent films mainly cast unknown
actors – a benefit of this being the actors aren’t a
USP. This means people are more likely to go see
and Independent film for the quality of the film
and the desire to view it, rather than for the cast.
Another noticeable difference between the two
types of film are the location in which the film is
set. Due to a much smaller budget, Independent
films take place in inexpensive locations with
non-extravagant sets, Mainstream films having
the opposite. Finally, Mainstream films are often
noted for their dramatic Special effects which
can make up the majority of the Blockbuster
films, for example the Marvel films. Independent
films are likely to use very few special effects,
and often none at all.
7. Task 2
Production
Production Companies who produce Independent films:
Film4 Productions, Lions Gate Films, Summit Entertainment, Hannover
House, IFC Films, Entertainment One and Palm Pictures.
Production Companies who produce Mainstream films:
Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures,
Paramount Pictures, RKO Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists,
Grand National and Republic Pictures.
8. Task 3
How do Independent Production
Companies fund their projects?
The funding of Independent films are always under 50% received from major film
studios, such as paramount Pictures. The two main ways Independent films can be
funded are as follows:
Donors
Donors can voluntarily give their money to
the film maker’s without any expectation of
receiving the money back – it is a gift.
Donors commonly have a deep connection
to the story or the film maker, or anybody
else in relation to the making of the film,
which motivates them to donate the money
to aid the project. Alternatively, they donor
may just greatly appreciate the story of the
film and the artistic view the film maker has
and has decided to help the film be
produced for their own pleasure of the act.
Investors
Investors differ from Donors as Investors are
more interested in the profit they can make
from the film rather than the
entertainment/artistic pleasure they will
receive from the finished film. Investors hope
they will make a profit from the film, gaining
them money. If the film is a hit, Investors can
gain a 500% profit from the films total gross.
9. Task 4
Distribution
Online film distribution (e.g. Amazon, Netflix, iTunes etc..) is now the most prominent way of
distributing films in the 21st Century. Before this, one of the only ways to distribute films was the find a
sales agent or a distribution company that could enable you to get your film out into the world and to
gain an audience. For most Independent films, then most realistic way of distributing your film would
be through straight to DVD release – to which the profits of the DVD have to be fairly split with the
distributor who aided you.
Self distribution is different to this, as it allows the control and power of the film to be put back into the
film maker’s own hands. Self distribution means the film maker will not have to pay commissions to a
distributor, saving them money, regarding the profit the film makes.
One way to distribute your film yourself is through iTunes distribution, which allows your film to be
viewed by a massive audience – making this form of self distribution arguably the best. On iTunes, your
film will be available along side Mainstream films, which is likely to increase the appeal of your film to
the audience. However, iTunes do take 30% of your profit per sale, which is a disadvantage. Netflix is
another example, which allows you to get your film seen by a large audience. To get your film on Netflix
you have to go through a aggregator, which will cost approximately $1500.
The screening of Independent films can also contribute to their success. In the UK, there is an
organisation called the ‘Independent Cinema Office’, which twice a year runs national screening day
events, which allows exhibitors to view upcoming Independent films yet to be released. These
screenings allow film maker’s to get their work seen by a highly appreciative audience and the expand
their audiences and increase interest in their projects.
Some companies that distribute independent films in the UK include: Avatar Films, Artificial Eye and
Cloud Ten Pictures.
10. Task 5
Exhibition
The exhibition of Independent films is different from the exhibition of Mainstream films. Mainstream
films are classed as ‘Mainstream’ as they are viewed in Cinemas over a widespread area – most likely
worldwide if they’re a Hollywood Blockbuster. Independent films can often remain just within the
country they were made in, or restricted to certain areas. Independent films are famously shown at
Film Festivals. Well known Independent film festivals situated in America include: San Diego Film
Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. A film selected for these
festivals will be seen by the world’s distributors and they will bid against each other for the right to
distribute your film, if they like it, in their countries. In any major film festival showing 200 or more
feature films, at least 40% of these will never get distribution in the UK and will not be seen again on a
cinema screen in that country.
11. Task 6
Kill Bill
Produced by: Miramax Films, A Band Apart, Super Cool ManChu.
Distributed by: Miramax Films (USA), Buena Vista International(UK).
Exhibited by: Miramax Home Entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray)
Casino Royale
Produced by: Columbia Pictures, Eon Productions, Casino Royale Productions.
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Entertainment (World Wide).
Exhibited by: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray).
Bourne Identity
Produced by: Universal Pictures, Kennedy/Marshall Company, The Hypnotic.
Distributed by: Universal Pictures (USA).
Exhibited by: Universal Studios Home Entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray).
Memento
Produced by: Newmarket Capital Group, Team Todd, I Remember Productions, Summit Entertainment.
Distributed by: Newmarket Films (USA), Pathé Distribution (UK).
Exhibited by: Columbia TriStar Home Video (DVD), Pathé Distribution (DVD).
12. Task 7
How the following Independent films were produced, distributed and exhibited:
Reservoir Dogs
Produced: Live Entertainment, Dog Eat Dog Productions Inc.
Distributed: Miramax Films (USA), Rank Film Organisation (UK).
Exhibited: Artisan Entertainment (DVD), Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD).
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Produced: StudioCanal, Karla Films, Paradis Films.
Distributed: StudioCanal (UK), Focus Features (USA).
Exhibited: StudioCanal (DVD), Universal Studios Home Entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray).
Breaking and Entering
Produced: Miramax Films, Mirage Enterprises.
Distributed: The Weinstein Company (USA), Miramax Films (UK).
Exhibited: Buena Vista International (DVD).
13. Task 8
After conduction my research, I have discovered that
a company that would produce, distribute and
exhibit my independent production would be
StudioCanal as they offer their services to only
Independent films. A film I have researched that that
they produced, distributed and exhibited is Tinker
Tailor Soldier Spy.
