The document discusses the production, distribution, and marketing of the film Life of Pi. It describes the roles involved in film production and the responsibilities of film distributors in marketing and releasing films. For Life of Pi specifically, it notes concerns that the winter release may not earn back its costs given competition from other blockbusters. It also discusses how the film was marketed as "the next Avatar" through trailers and tie-in releases of the novel and a making-of book.

1. Of LIFE OF PI
DISTRIBUTION AND
MARKETING

2. PRODUCTION
 In production, the video production/film is created and
shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage, such
as the property master, script supervisor, assistant
directors,
stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors.
These are just the most common roles in filmmaking.
The production office will be free to create any unique
blend of roles to suit the various responsibilities
possible during the production of film.

3. DISTRIBUTION
 A Film distributor is a company or individual
responsible of the marketing of a film. The
distributor may set the release date of a film and
the method by which the film is to be exhibited or
made available for viewing.

4. FILM DISRTIBUTION KEY
ELEMENTS
Positioning:
 Involves how and when the film should be released.
Elements to be considered are the time of year, other
film releases and the target audience.
Release:
 Timing is crucial , school holidays are the prime time
within the year for the release of blockbusters.
 Competition must also be consider.

5. FILM DISTRIBUTION KEY
ELEMENTS
Circulation:
 How many copies of the film should be circulated to
cinemas.
 Each print cost around £1000.
 The distributor should decide whether the film
requires the “Saturation Release” (700-1000) prints
or an “art-house release’ (around 20 prints)

6. Weekly DVD Sales

7. Film Distribution Marketing
 Several elements can be used in marketing to
generate interest in a film, such as: Posters, Trailers,
Media Advertising, The Internet, Promotions, Preview
Screening and Festivals.

8. Marketing of Life Of Pi
 Due to the film's holiday release, Life of Pi's financial success had been under
review. Dorothy Pomerantz of Forbes said, "It looks like chances are very slim
that the film will earn back its production and marketing costs let alone turn a
profit." Pomerantz attributed this to the fact that film was not led by a big name
star and faced other winter blockbusters. John Horn and Ben Fritz of The Los
Angeles Times compared the film to Martin Scorsese's Hugo, a large-budget 3D
film that opened during the 2011 Thanksgiving week. They said that Life of
Pi could have ended up like Hugo by "failing to connect with moviegoers" and
become a "financial failure”. Similar speculation had been made by other news
sources.
 Whether or not Hurricane Sandy would affect the film's publicity was also a
question. Because the film includes a massive storm, it was speculated that the
recent storm might result in lower box office revenue due to the unintentional
overtones of Sandy's devastation. A Fox spokesperson made note that there
were no plans to change the film’s marketing approach.
 During the marketing campaign for Life of Pi, the film was promoted as "the
next Avatar" in trailers and TV spots. James Cameron, the director of Avatar,
later became the subject of two featurettes that focus on the film's 3D
and computer-generated imagery. In addition, the original novel was re-released
in a movie tie-in edition. This was later followed by the release of The Making of
Life of Pi: A Film, a Journey, a book by Jean-Christophe Castelli that details
how Life of Pi was brought to the big screen.