2. There are a wide range of different
distribution companies that could distribute
my film:
In this question I am going to evaluate the pros and cons of different companies and
identify which one is best suited for my film. I will be finding out this information by
the size of the company (conglomerate or independent), where they are based, as
well as evaluating alternative methods where my film could be distributed.
3. Conglomerate or independent
There are a wide range of different things to considering when it comes to choosing between an independent company or a
conglomerate and there are pros and cons for both.
Advantages of using big conglomerate:
One advantage of a large conglomerate is that its well known, and it is almost guaranteed that the film would be viewed by a
wide audience due to it being associated with a well known name. This also an assumed security, as they can generally
guarantee that the film will be successful.The connection the conglomerate has with different companies can also help
distribute the film, for example, the American conglomerate could own a chain of cinemas in the UK meaning that they are able
to show the film in these cinemas for no extra cost, this secures the film will make it to the cinema.This also means that the film
could be advertised at these cinemas for no extra cost.
Disadvantage:
One disadvantage of distributing my film with a large conglomerate Is that it is usually a lot more difficult getting a large
conglomerate on board, rather than an independent company, this is due to them being a large wealthy company. If the film
doesn’t follow certain conventions and characteristics they are looking, and doesn’t predict a large profit, they can afford to be
selective about which films they choose to distribute. As a conglomerate is likely to be large and wealthy, it may cost more to
work with them as an independent company, because their employees are better known, there services cost more and they are
able to pay more for better known actors, this could result in the film making less profit. However, this may not be the case due
to these companies being well known, meaning a wider audience, which may not take place if we went with an independent
company. Another disadvantage with choosing a conglomerate company to distribute our film is that the company will have
their own experts and if they invest a large amount into the film, they will have their own ideas on distribution and the film could
possibly lose some of its identity. Another disadvantage is that conglomerate companies are more likely to claim rights over the
film, and this will imply to the audience that we didn’t have a great deal of input into the film and that the conglomerate were
the creators of the film.
4. Which company
If I was to choose to distribute my film with a conglomerate company I would choose out of the following, New
Line Cinema or Lionsgate.This Is because these conglomerates have experience with distributing successful
thrillers, such as Se7en and Interception.These are US companies and have a large amount of money and
influence which would benefit our film, however it Is unlikely that a conglomerate would distribute our film,
due to it having a small production budget. A large American conglomerate may not be ideal because our
target market is mainly a British audience. A disadvantage of a conglomerate distributing our film is that we
are unlikely to have a large amount of creative control, which could result in our film loosing its identity.
I think a more beneficial way of distributing our film is via a British company, this is due to several reasons.
firstly, it will still hold a British identity, distributing our film with a smaller company will also mean that we get
a greater profit because they will be contributing less into the film meaning we have more rights.The company
I think that will best suit our thriller is ‘Optimum Releasing’ although it is a subsidiary of the parent company
‘Studio Canal’ it is based in the UK and Ireland this is more ideal than distributing our thriller with a large
conglomerate company because it will remain within its identity and give us creative control. It also has a lot of
experience distributing previous successful thrillers such as ‘The Awakening’ and ‘Don’t be Afraid of the Dark’.
5. Alternative distribution methods
An alternative way of distributing our film is via the website ‘YouTube’.This would
be a good method because it doesn’t cost to upload and no cost to watch the
content and a wide audience would have access to it. This could meant that our
thriller would have a wider audience and websites are easily shared through social
media this could expand our audience further.
However there are disadvantages distributing our thriller through this method,
firstly, there would be no profit made through this method due to it being free to
access.There is also no guarantee that people will watch it and share it, meaning
there is a possibility that there is not audience at all. Also uploading our thriller to
YouTube could make it come across as immature.
6. Alternative distribution methods
(continued)
Another way that our thriller could be distributed is via an online live streaming
websites, this has became increasing popular over the past years. Examples, of
these include; Netflix, Amazon Prime, love film.This is a good way of distributing
the film because it would reach a large audience, although this form does cost
money to use, therefore a better profit than distributing our thriller viaYouTube can
be made.
Another way that our thriller could be distributed is via social media networks like,
Facebook,Twitter etc. likeYouTube this will cost nothing to do, it is very easy and
can get to a wide audience. However, once again there is no guarantee that people
will view the movie because they may think that if its been posted on social media
and it can’t be good and this will portray our film in a bad way and may make it seem
immature.
7. To conclude…
Overall the way I would distribute my film is via a modern day way of distributing,
which is online streaming, a website like ‘Netflix’ would be ideal.This is because it
has a fast growing audience as a large amount of people have it across the world, it
also means that the thriller isn’t restricted to an English Audience and it has as way
of getting popular in other country's without it having a large involvement with a
conglomerate company.Although a percentage of the films profits would be taken
by this online streaming company, there is a positive side as you are able to
distribute it another way as well, meaning twice the profit could possibly be made. If
I was to distribute it a second time, I would choose the independent company ‘warp
films’ to distribute my film.This is because it is an English based company, as well
as previously distributing thriller films meaning they will have experience and will
have the knowledge and be able to offer help.
