2. Due to the untypical and unconventional story line that the opening of my
film entails, I would like to believe that my film would be distributed by, or
institutions similar to, Warp films; an Independent film company and
distributer.This is because most films produced by Warp Films are low
budget and are aimed at a niche audience such as Submarine. My product is
similar in the fact that its also aimed at a niche audience and does not
contain high end special effects, or have a large budget like large films
companies do, such as Disney or Universal.
Independent
The money for my film would need to come from
various investors as it is probably less likely to go
mainstream than other more expensive films;
therefore large producers are unlikely to make large
investments. I would possibly also need to receive
special funding for the distribution in non internet
mediums, such as cinema, as most independent
companies fail to distribute their film to cinema unlike
the film giants.
3. To advertise my film and get the word out would be difficult in today’s
world because of the dominating film companies out there, such as
Warner Brothers and Paramount.
In order to make my film successful I would have to take advantage of the
free advertising that social networking can provide; creating twitter,
Facebook and similar social accounts that are related to my film, or even
one of the characters creating a buzz for the release - or an ongoing
advertisement after the release.
Advertisement
New media technologies also open new scopes for advertising, such
asTwitter, Facebook,YouTube andTumblr which require relatively
tiny amounts of money to create a worldwide marketing campaign.
These social network sites also allow prosumer marketing as people
across the internet create their own tie-ins with the film, further
advertising it.
4. My film does have the potential to be distributed for exhibition within mainstream cinema in
large cinema chains, such as Odeon or Cineworld.This is because although this film may be
more psychological and gritty than an action movie, such as Mission Impossible, it still does
not require intense viewing, making it more familiar and easier to watch for the mass
market.The film features one main plot line, with only one sub plot surrounding the central
character. As a result, it does not challenge any of the audience’s conceptions like some films
do, such as inception, and so makes for easy watching for all.
As an horror film, Deadlock would also be more adapted and effective to being on the big
screen, rather than a DVD or internet release, as it offers the experience of atmospheric
adrenaline for the viewer, an effect which cannot always be matched at home in other
distribution mediums.
The film could however, later be released on DVD, adding to the cinema sales.The DVD
could include special features, such as director commentary, behind-the-scenes footage and
possibly an extended cut of the film, to further promote people to buy it. Later, rights to the
film could be sold to internet movie companies, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, and
possibly to TV channels to further add to the revenue for the film, and to make it more
accessible to all.
Although cinema itself is become more niche due to the streaming revelation, large
companies still oligopolise the market and still set aside a lot of money for cinema
distribution; money that independent companies rarely get their hands on.
Exhibition
5. The film The Woman in Black was one of the main films that inspired me as I
have explained in my research. This film was made and distributed by Hammer
films and Momentum Pictures. However, this film did become mainstream
because of the popular cast - my film does not have any famous actors in it
and thus it is less likely to become mainstream. I will have to rely on the
various distribution methods that small companies use such as premiering
online, live streaming to peoples TV’s and laptops.
In some ways my film is similar to the film The Woman in Black in so far as
there are elements of suspense in both films and dark shadowy figures
complete with eerie tension building music; however it differs from this film
due to the lack of famous actors as mentioned, and also the juxtaposition of
the old and the new, for example, the modern Mercedes car with the old
house. So the films ideology will be somewhat different from the standard
horror film so distribution could go either way in terms of the big screen or the
small screen.
Comparison
6. Distribution allows a film to be marketed to the target audience and
ensure the film is a success by creating a fan base - as people learn about
the film, then want to find out more and so watch it. When people have
watched the film they can tell their friends and family and through word
of mouth marketing sales can be increased dramatically as a free
advisement domino effect can occur.
Several trailers would be created to be distributed in the weeks leading
up to the film’s release. There would also be a website set up to enable
people to discover more about the film; this would form an easy and low
cost way of advertising the film as it will be easily accessible for the
audience.
The film industry is becoming more and more fair in terms of distribution
as online streaming services have enabled small/independent film
companies to release their films right next to the blockbuster hits on
streaming services such as Netflix, Sky Movies and Amazon Prime.
Fan Base
7. Large companies tend to stick with what works well and rarely
experiment with different ways of portraying their films. However,
independent film companies can take risks because they do not have a
large budget riding on the success of their films; distributing themselves
means that it is relatively easy to take risks and experiment with
conventions. My film challenges conventions of real theme as I have a
non-chronological story line (non-linear); nearly all horror films are in
chronological order.
Because of the lack of professional special effects equipment and
general budget of my film, I thought I could make up for not having
these things by integrating an unusual, untypical and unconventional
storyline, weaved into dramatic camera shots. My film involves and
engages the audience through dramatic irony, rather than through high
end special effects which a large film company would employ. So my film
has potential to be distributed among the typical blockbuster in all forms
of mediums.
Nonlinear story line