Media Evaluation 3

1. Media Evaluation
Task 3 - Film Distribution
By Daniel Wilcox.

2. What is Distribution?
Film distribution is the process of marketing a film or short
film to the general public and deciding which platforms it can
be viewed on. A film company or publisher can take a
completed film and promote it on a wide scale to attract
attention by using specific marketing strategies for the film,
the media by which a film is to be exhibited or made available
for viewing, and who may set the release date and other
matters.

3. Examples of Film Distributing Companies
Studiocanal
Optimum Releasing
Pathe
Lionsgate
Summit Entertainment
Icon Productions
Warp films

4. Type of film & It's appropriate distributor.
The type of film we have produced is a genre mix of Science Fiction blended with some
elements of Horror. I feel that this film would be appropriate to be published under
Studiocanal permission. I think this because, if you look at their catalogue of previously
published films, you can see a trend of dark toned, stylistic themes throughout their films.
Examples given would be: “Before I go to Sleep”, “71” and “Mindscape”. I think that
Studiocanal would be very interested in my movie as it can expand on the variety of genres
and number of films that they have and have been recognised for. Studiocanal are also
recognised for importing films on a global scale, not only in a european region. Studiocanal
have also imported a fair share of foreign films from corners of the earth including China,
Japan, Korea, Australia and America.

5. The Film's Audience
I personally don’t think that the film will only appeal to UK audiences as its
context involves the entire world that has been affected in its story. UK
audiences may relate to the film easier than other foreign countries as it is
filmed in English parks and housing; but it also could give the opportunity to
others to be exposed to the film making styles that the British seem to have,
especially in their self-funded independent films.

6. Marketing Strategies
One of the introductory parts of the film was going to be a news report on the outbreak of the disease
within the film to unveil some context to the audience. However, we removed this as we felt that it
revealed too much context and ruined the element of mystery that surrounds the sights in the
opening montage. So, with this idea in mind, I have an idea that could promote and interest the
audience with similar ideas. Nowadays, it’s seems that film makers feel the need to cram as much
information into their trailers and teasers as possible whether it be the context, story, special effects,
suprise character cameos, or even plot twists! This is a cliche I personally feel needs to stop as it ruins
all elements of anticipation and gives the audience the feeling of predictability when they see the film
that was advertised. So, I’ve decided to make fake news reports and cryptic advertisements that can
involve the context of the disease outbreak. This can make the audience interested into the film as
they could wonder what the world with an outbreak looks like in the film. The advertisements would
not include any clips from the film and instead only have the news reporter in a messy reporting
room, with the picture quality decreasing as the report ends abruptly. Although these
advertisements may feel and look like legitimate to the audience and thus involving them in the
context of the film, the adverts need to be very clear that it IS only an advertisement to prevent any
fear or controversial confrontation with the audience

7. Self-Distribution of Films.
It may be the case that you and/or your producer decide to distribute your short yourself/yourselves.
Below we've outlined just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of self-distribution:
Advantages to self-distribution
You can retain full control and rights over your film, giving you the choice over where your film is
shown.
You don't have to give a cut of the money made from any sales of your film to a distributor.
Disadvantages to self-distribution
It can be a full-time job in itself as it can be very time consuming chasing buyers and sales and filling
in paperwork.
It may limit your options for sales as distributors have established relationships with buyers and many
buyers may only be interested in packages of films.
You need to be very legally savvy and make sure you're not signing away rights to your film that'll
prevent you from showing it elsewhere.