1. What kind of media institution
might distribute your media product
and why?
2. What is a media institution?
Media institutions are a large company that owns
large numbers of companies in various mass media
such as television, radio, publishing movies and the
internet.
The main major film studios are know as Columbia,
Universal, Warner Bros and 20th Century Fox.
Distribution: The act of selling or
sharing media products on a small or
large scale for audience consumption.
Ways in which films are distributed is
dependent on the style of film, its
audience and the media institution.
For example: a mainstream, high
budget thriller would be distributed
on a large scale media institution
whilst on the other hand, a low
budget film would have a small scale,
independent media institution.
3. My film (Interrogation)
However, the media institution that might
distribute my film would be a small budget
company this is purely because our film is not
mainstream and popular in the media, and
hasn't had as much money put into the project
for a large audience in the public. Also it is less
heavily advertised in comparison to a high
budget mainstream film, a small British target
audience with some European interest is
something many independent production
companies specialise in.
Overall, for my film I would choose Lionsgate
as a distributor because of its success with
thrillers in the past and that it continues to be
a very active and relevant distributor since
they have distributed many films closely to our
own gangster thriller (Interrogation).
4. Other ways of distributing films would could be
local film festivals or national film festivals,
involvement into one of these festivals could cause
low budget films to be noticed for its individualistic
qualities.
Other methods might include short film
competitions such as the virgin shorts
competition. This competition is made for
upcoming directors who need a boost. This
competition only allows films up to 2 minutes
long.
5. Film festivals
BFI Film Forever is an example of an UK based film
institution. It is now part of the government and distributor
of Lottery funds for film.
BFI Film Forever ensure that film is central to our cultural
life, by supporting and nurturing the next generation of
filmmakers and audiences. The BFI serves a public role
which covers the cultural, creative and economic aspect of
film in the UK.
It delivers this role:
• As the UK-wide organisation for film, a charity core
funded by government
• By providing Lottery and Government funds for film
across the UK
• By working with partners to advance the position of film
in the UK
