2. WHAT IS FILM DISTRIBUTION?
• Distribution is the third part of the film process supply chain it is often referred to as 'the
invisible art', as it is a process known mainly only to those who work within the industry,
they’re barely written about and almost imperceptible to the public.
• However distribution is one of the most important parts of the film industry, as it is where
completed films are brought to life and connected with an audience via cinemas,
television or DVD This ultimately allows film companies to actually make profit from their
film, without film distributors it would be hard for there to be a profitable film industry.
3. FILM DISTRIBUTION
• Film distribution is when a distributor is in charge of distributing A film, this can be done by
convincing exhibitors to rent or book their film for viewing in cinemas or on DVD, the
distributor will also use marketing techniques to help the film make the most profit possible.
• A contract is then agreed between the distributor and exhibitor to agree the profit
percentages between the film makers, distributors and exhibitors.
• The distributors job is to ensure that the film prints are sent to service all contracted
exhibitors on the contract-based opening day, ensure their delivery to the cinema by the
opening day, monitor exhibitors to make sure the film is in fact shown in the particular theatre
with the minimum number of seats and show times, and to check that the prints return to the
distributor by the contract-based return date.
4. FILM DISTRIBUTION PROCESS
• The step-by-step process of distributing a film is as shown:
Once the film has been made a distributor then makes sure
That the film gets shown in cinemas or theatres after finding
The films target audience.
If the film is a success then exhibitors will then book the film
For an extended period of time, after the film finishes
Viewings in cinemas it is then released on DVD , television or
On the internet.
5. FILM DISTRIBUTION IN THE UK
• It is the job of distributors in the UK to identify and deliver the largest possible audience for
every film.
• Its first weekend in cinemas is crucial to further progress and its not unusual for a film to
generate 30% or more of its entire box office during the first three days so it is important to
get the campaign right.
• The distributors job is extremely important to a films success as they need to research a
films; marketability, playability, target audience as well as working out if the film will deliver or
justify the costs of releasing the film.
• UK film distributors must also take factors such as competition, whether the film is a
blockbuster or a more discrete film and whether there are any big named actors or
actresses.
7. VERTIGO FILMS
• The distributor I will use for my film will be Vertigo Films as it is one of the UK’s biggest
film distributors based in London, the company has produced 28 films and distributed
another 35 films, including films such as; Monsters, street dance and the football factory.
• Within the films made and distributed by Vertigo Films there is a wide selection of
genres that vary between; comedy, horror and action and so on which is why I have
chose this distributor as it has experience in all genres and will fit in well with our
Horror/thriller genre which would allow the film to be as profitable as possible
