This document discusses the film distribution process. It explains that a film distributor chooses which films to distribute, decides on the number of film prints and marketing budget. The distributor negotiates the release date and theaters, and pays for prints, advertising, and a percentage of ticket sales. They monitor the film's exhibition and can implement changes. The distributor also conducts advertising through various media and maintains the film's brand image. Film ideas are often pitched to studios with a simple high concept premise that can be easily marketed.

3. Chooses which films to distribute
 Attends Film Festivals
 Decides on the number of prints
 Pays for the cost of each print
 Negotiates the release date and site of
exhibition - WHEN
 Sends trailers and publicity to cinemas
 NEGOTIATES BUDGET & PAYS FOR THE
ADVERTISING & MARKETING


4. Secures a contract agreeing the % of gross
ticket sales paid to the distributor
 Divides up the rest between the cinema,
production company, 3rd party agents
 Monitors exhibition (times/screens)
 Implements changes (when appropriate)
 Ensures the prints are correctly returned to
avoid piracy


5. 
Advertising in the Media – television/cinema
trailers, press, outdoor, social networking, viral,
interactive, online, posters, radio.....

PR (Public Relations) – maintaining a brand
image e.g. Interviews/Appearances...

POS (point of sale) e.g. displays in cinemas

Market Research – before, during and after

6. Film ideas are often pitched to Studio Executives in the hope
they will receive funding for Production and Distribution.
High Concept Films are often blockbuster films that are based on
a simple idea and can be easily marketed in 2/3 sentences e.g.
“It’s a big ship that sunk, everyone knows the story, we’ll bring Di
Caprio an Winslet and turn it into a high production value
romance”…..?
“We’ll get Samuel Jackson, a plane and put some snakes on
board”………?
SO, WITH THIS IN MIND....

7. 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You have 5 minutes only to discuss with the
person next to you the following task:
Decide on a title for a new High Concept Film
Summarise the narrative in 2 sentences, where is
it set, what is happens in the film and in the
end?
Choose your actors……
Explain why it will be COMMERCIALLY successful
Be prepared to tell me about it on the Mic.

8. 2013 British Historical Thriller
 Directed by Ben Wheatley
 Shot in B/W, set during English Civil War
 Budget - £300,000, 12 days filming
 Developed and finance by Film 4.0
(innovation hub)/BFI New Models Fund
 Variety Magazine: “A psychedelic trip
into magic and madness”: Art House
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv3
6IZWLL84 (possession scene – 5.31)


11. 
Multiplatform release – cinema
(Picturehouse), Film4, VoD (online), DVD
and BluRay: 5th July 2013

“Building a maximum amount of industry
buzz, we can hopefully reach an
audience it can be hard to connect
with”.

Coordinating all platforms ensured
audiences could see the film how and
when they chose.

12. Limited funds spent on advertising –
Teaser Trailer and Posters but mainly viral,
industry and social networking hype.
 Cinema release – Picturehouse Chain
(Weltons brewery brewed a limited
edition ale to give to cinema-goers).
Tagline – “Open up and let the Devil in” linking
with drug use in the film.
 Film4 release „curated‟ by the Director
 DVD/BluRay – 75 min extra material.
