This document discusses different types of film distributors and their roles. It explains that distributors are responsible for marketing and releasing films in theaters and on DVD. It also discusses targeting either broad "tent-pole" global audiences or more niche domestic audiences. The document provides examples of different distributors like Film 4, Lionsgate, and Working Title, noting their budgets and audience reach. It concludes that due to the niche motorsports drama topic, the film discussed should seek funding from organizations like BFI/National Lottery that support independent low-budget films.

1. What kind of media
institution might distribute
your media product and
why?

2. What do distributors do?
• These companies are responsible for releasing films to the public at cinemas
and on DVD. These companies buy the rights to the film and therefore are
responsible for distribution and for marketing. Distributors also set the
release date of the film. An example of distributors at work are the
premieres of films. This is a way of marketing the film/franchise to the
public before release in cinemas.

3. Target audiences
• In the film industry, the two audience groups are tent-pole and
niche/domestic audiences. Tent-pole audiences are ones that are global. The
term tent-pole refers to reaching large amounts of people, which is mainly
achieved by films funded by the ‘Big 6’. This means the film is adapted
around the audience, whereas niche audiences are the opposite. The film for
the niche audience is usually funded by independent companies and remain
low budget. This means the film is limited and only attracts certain audiences.

4. Film 4
• Film 4 is a UK based company that is a subsidiary of ‘Channel 4’. This
company usually funds small budget, domestic film projects. Examples of
this company include The Inbetweeners franchise (most successful British
comedies and British film box office record holder). However, this franchise
was only successful within the UK, due to its popularity in the UK and lack
of popularity in the US.

5. Lionsgate
• Formed in 1997, Lionsgate is a California based independent film producer
and distributor. A major film produced by this company is Dirty Dancing.
This film had a relatively low budget of $6m, whereas their box office to date
is now $214m.

6. Co-production: Working Title
• Working Title are part of a co-production with Universal Studios and are a
British film company. There production budgets are relatively small, however
their marketing and distribution budgets are very big. This means their low
budget films can be distributed globally and is not limited to a domestic
audience.

7. How will we get funding?
• We feel that our film is one that targets a very niche audience, as motorsport
films have a small target audience. Our film is also a drama which isn’t as
popular as an action/adventure film. As the film is a drama, a low budget is
sufficient to creating an ideal product, so we feel our film should be funded
by the BFI/National Lottery, as independent, small budget films are what
they support.