2. What do distribution companies do?
The distributors job is to identify the target audience and then deliver the film to the
largest possible audience for the film. The process usually follows the same steps
1. The producers and film company acquire the rights to film a story
2. The screenplay is then developed
3. Finance, cast and crew and agreed and confirmed
4. Filming starts in agreed studios and locations. Editing and post production then
starts.
5. Distributors develop a release strategy, considering the release date and the
delivery of the finished film
6. Negotiations begin between distributors and exhibitors to have the film shown in
cinemas. The campaign also begins aiming to bring about a hype surrounding the film
7. The film is then delivered to cinemas ready to show. The film is the run for a set
number of weeks, dependant on demand.
8. The film is the released-on DVD along with extra features.
3. Independent UK film distributors.
My work is a low budget, independent film which appeals to teenage girls with little
disposable income. These factors needs to be taken into consideration when
distributing my film. Here are some companies that may be suitable...
4. Film 4
Film 4 started in 1982 as channel 4 films with the first film being Stephen Frears film,
‘Walter’. Channel 4 was the first UK broadcaster to develop and co finance films and
then go onto to distribute them to cinemas before showing them on channel 4. Film 4
has gone onto to produced many successful release such as ‘Trainspotting’ (1996),
Nowhere boy (2009) and ‘Slumdog millionaire’ (2009). It has a reputation for working
with small budget, independent films. However, recently due to succes Film 4 have
started focusing on larger block busters such as ‘Room’ (2015) and ‘Carol’ (2015).
Although their focus seems to be shifting away from low budget, independent films
they do seem to only associate themselves with more interesting and slightly quirky
films. This makes their demographic similar to mine; teenagers that are more
interested in unusual films.
5. Curzon Artificial Eye
Curzon Artificial Eye is one of the UK’s leading independent film distributors and has
been part of the Curzon group since 2006, which includes 20 cinemas worldwide and
also offers a Curzon Home Cinema, ‘making films available to watch at home on the
same day as their cinema release.’ The company specialises in foreign language and
art house films so appeals to a niche audience which is different from my own target
audience. However, films curzon have distributed include: ‘Christine’ (2017), ‘Still
Alice’ (2014), ‘Ginger and Rosa’ (2012) and ‘Winter’s bone’ (2010). These are all films
that although may not be part of a similar genre to my own film, would still would
appeal to my target audience of teenage girls.
6. Altitude Film Distribution
Altitude film company was founded in 2012 and is part of the Altitude Film
Entertainment Group. They aim to distribute ‘diverse and eclectic’ content and
encourage independent British films which is perfect for my own work. As the company
is relatively new they do not have as many releases as other company’s although, the
releases include ‘Amy’ (2015) and ‘Lady Macbeth’ (2017) which proves popular
amongst my target audience. The company’s whole ethos is perfect for my film and
they have also distributed film of a similar genre such as horror but just not as specific
as a witch themed horror.
7. The Works UK Distribution
The Works Uk distribution specialises mostly into feature films and documentaries and
aims to work mostly with independent filmmakers which is perfect for me. I don't
recognize many of the films they have distributed and can’t see any existing films of a
similar genre to my own. Distributed films include: ‘Joy Division’ (2008), ‘Wild Bill’ (2012)
and ‘Kill Your Darlings’ (2013). Through further research I also found that most of the
films have been reviewed by The Guardian and Shortlist which are aimed at slightly
older, middle class viewers and not my typical demographic which consists of teenage
girls who will mostly hear about films through social media.
