Media evaluation distributor

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

2. In the opening of our film we included the opening of
Universal. We thought Universal studios suited our film
genre as we researched other films such as ‘Wild Child’ and
found that they were distributed by them. Universal has
distributed many films with a similar target audience to our
film; children/teenagers. For example, some films they have
released recently which our similar to ours are Pitch Perfect
and Bridesmaids.
Universal is one of the ‘Big Six’ Hollywood studios. Therefore the
types of films they release are usually mainstream and can appeal to
a wide audience range. This suits our film well as it is a teen ‘chick
flick’ type film, and many similar films have been made like this as
there is a guaranteed audience and is therefore not a risk for
Universal to distribute. Ideally we would have our film produced by
universal, however as this is our first film and we have a low budget
it is not a realistic goal

3. If we were to have our film distributed by Universal or
another major studio, we could use a saturation release.
The film mean girls was released using this strategy. It was
released on 30th April 2004 in USA & Canada, then 17/18th
June 2004 for most other countries. This way of releasing a
film can generate a build up of hype, and can make the
release more of an event as everyone is able to watch it at
the same time at the cinema.
The teen film High School Musical was distributed slightly
differently than other films in this genre. HSM was produced by
Disney, and therefore was premiered on Disney Channel, before
it was available to watch in the cinema or buy on DVD. This
allowed fans of Disney who already watch the channel be able
to watch the film for free, which guaranteed Disney a wide
audience, and as this was the first film in the trilogy, it was more
of a risk therefore showing it on tv first for free would be a
better idea for first time film makers such as ourselves, rather
than putting it straight into a cinema as people are less likely to
pay to watch something they have never heard about before or
there is a new/unknown film maker.

4. One way that small films in the UK can be supported is
by the BFI Film Fund. They can fund the development
and production of the film, and have a focus on
emerging and first time directors and filmmakers, who
are creating a film on a low budget (under £2,000,000).
This would be an option for our film as we have a low
budget and it is our first feature film we have
produced.

5. Completion funding can
also be given by the BFI, if
your film is launched at a
film festival.
The Watersprite Film Festival is a film festival
specifically for students. Many different
awards are given including genre-based awards
and accolades for technical skills. All of the
prizes are opportunities that will help career
development such as production mentorship,
lighting academy courses, and exclusive loans
of filming equipment. This would benefit us as
we are beginners and it provides opportunities
for our film be recognised, and will help us to
continue making films in the future.