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

1. What kind of media
institution might
distribute your media
product and why?
Evaluation Question 3

2. What is distribution?
Distribution is the act od sharing something out among a number of
recipients.
Simultaneous distribution is a media text is released on more than one format
on the same day.
In the media industry films are distributed so that the final product can be
seen and appreciated by an audience, and also so that a profit can be made.
There are a number of ways that a film can be distributed:
• Cinema
• Online
• DVD and Blu-ray
• Film Festivals

3. Cinema
• Cinemas are usually the first way a film is distributed. Films are always
released in the cinema before they are released on DVD or aired on the
television.
• Films are usually shown in the cinema for approximately three months,
which allows for a huge number of people to see it and also helps to generate
a large sum of money.
• Distribution to a cinema is crucial for horror films so that the audience can
enjoy the full film experience. The reason for this is that being in a dark
room with strangers can intensify the horror effects of the film e.g. jump-
scares.
• The only problem that occurs with cinema distribution is that mainstream
cinemas only tend to show films that have been produced by large and well
known companies.

4. Online
• Films can be distributed on websites for online streaming (e.g. Netflix and
Amazon Prime)
• The main benefit of this is that websites such as Netflix are becoming
increasingly popular as users do not have to leave the comfort of their home,
therefore there is a huge audience available on these websites
• The cost of these websites is very reasonable and is considerably cheaper in the
long-run than the cinema or DVDs, this appeals an audience on a budget such as
students.
• Another reason this distribution method is beneficial is because when you watch
films on Netflix other films of the same genre appear in a ‘recommended for you’
category, so the film will be promoted to a niche audience specifically interested
in that genre.
• The final advantage of this method is that the film stays on the website forever,
so there will be a continuous flow of income (unlike cinema distribution).

5. DVD and Blu-ray
• Films are usually distributed on DVD after other forms of distribution.
• However, they are sometimes distributed by DVD first. In this case films
tend to be less successful because they have not been promoted enough
(unlike films shown in the cinema).
• DVD is effective because they are portable so can be watched anywhere an
unlimited amount of times, and also do not require Wi-Fi.
• DVDs tend to target an older audience who are less “tech-savvy”.

6. Film Festivals
• Film festivals are more commonly used by independent film companies than
mainstream film companies because they are a low cost way to get their film
recognised by people
• They are usually open to multiple genres but there are also genre specific
film festivals
• An example of a well known festival is the Sundance Film Festival. When
small scale production companies enter their films they are entering for a
chance to win money that can later be put towards other films or other
distribution methods for their film e.g. DVD
• Film festivals are also beneficial because they are an opportunity for
production companies to network with each other. This encourages synergy
and cross-media convergence.
• The only real disadvantage of film festivals is that they are very reliant on
niche audiences for a film to win

7. How are we going to distribute our
film?
By researching into the most common methods of distribution we have decided
to distribute our film online.
This is because it is a very successful form of media which will continue to be
popular, unlike other distribution methods (such as DVDs which sales are
decreasing rapidly).
Furthermore, online streaming websites definitely have an audience for the
sub-genre of supernatural horrors as there are already a number of these
types of horror films listed on them. Therefore, we can target this audience
confidently.
Finally, this is an inexpensive way to distribute our film which is beneficial to
us because we are an independent/ small-scale production company.