This document discusses various methods for distributing and marketing films. Distribution methods include releasing films in cinemas, film festivals, online streaming, DVDs, and social media. Each method has advantages and disadvantages in terms of audience reach and costs. Marketing strategies explored are social media, cinema and TV advertisements, posters, celebrity endorsements, merchandise, and publicity stunts. Overall, distribution in cinemas and film festivals is recommended to reach audiences, while cinema ads, posters, TV spots, and star interviews are suggested for marketing to build awareness.

1. Distribution methods
By Bailee Brooks

2. What is distribution?
• Distribution is the method of getting the
productions the institutions create into the
cinema. Distribution occurs post production
however prior to exchange, this creates a bridge
between the gap of the creation of a film and the
audience consuming the product. This is
considered the most important part of the film
industry. Distribution is the connection between
producers and the audience, it sustained the
release of the film within the film industry.

3. Cinema
• Cinema is probably the most popular way of distributing
a film. When a new film is released it is usually sent
straight to cinema’s to show as that’s where audiences
know to watch the new releases.
Pro’s Con’s
Audiences know this is where the film will
usually be released. Audiences trust the
cinema.
Cinema’s are usually expensive for audiences-
could mean they’re less likely to go
Reaches a wider target audience than a film
festival etc.
Usually requires a formal connection between
cinema’s ad distribution companies
Usually generates a high income for the
box office
Not preferred by all audience's members.

4. Film festivals
• Another way for particularly independent film institutions to
get their film into cinema’s is via film festivals. This is when
institutions show their films and distribution companies can
chose to buy films and sell them to cinema’s.
Pro’s Con’s
Independent film companies are more likely
to get their films distributed than via other
methods such as cinema.
May not reach a wide audience as many do
not attend film festivals
Allows personal relationship to be built
amongst audiences and film makers (uses
and gratifications theory)
Your film may not get distributed

5. Online streaming
• Online streaming is a very easy accessible way to distribute a
film due to convergence. Audiences can access films through
different platforms on one device such a phone or tablet.
Pro’s Con’s
Easily accessible to viewers Not all viewers would have access to the
internet/online sites
Viewers can watch the film in
the comfort of their own home
Generally requires a subscription to watch
films via this method of distribution
No interruptions online
streaming sites are generally ad
free
Usually cheaper than DVD’s

6. Social media
• Social media is very popular through out society due to
technological convergence. You can access all your social media sites
on tablets, phones, computers etc. it’s a way to share thing you find
interesting and for others to interact with you.
Pro’s Con’s
Easily accessible to all embers that have social
media
Not all audience members will have internet they
can access/use social media
Can be used to target specific target audiences
(for example younger people are more likely to
be involved with apps such as twitter and
Facebook etc.)
No guarantee your production will go viral and get
the attention you desired
Films gain recognition quickly through social
convergence (sharing or making a media text go
viral)
risk of your production going viral for the wrong
reasons.
Content is generally free to upload- accessible to
independent film makers

7. DVD
• DVD’s are an easy ay for audiences to find movies and
access them in everyday places such as the local
supermarket. They can be sold on shelves and are
usually released prior to the cinema release.
Pro’s Con’s
Easily accessible to audiences DVD’s are usually expensive for
people to buy
Gives more control to the viewers, i.e.
they can control when and where they
watch the film
There’s a risk of the consumer
buying the product and disliking it.
Audience members can re watch the
film as many times as they want

8. Marketing
• Another aspect of film distribution is marketing.
This allows audiences to become aware of the
media product and make them more likely to
create an opinion of whether they want to see it
or. The aim of marketing is so entice audiences
and make them want to buy into viewing the
product creating profit for the institution
company. Without marketing it would be harder
to gain income as people may not know about
your media text and will not consume it.

9. Social media
Pro’s Con’s
• Your marketing product is
more likely to go viral as many
people now have social media
• Can easily target your
audiences via different
platforms
• Not everyone has access to
social media or the internet
• Your production could go viral
for the wrong reasons

10. Cinema
Pro’s Con’s
• Can target specific audiences. E.g. if
you were to show a horror film trailer
within a horror film you are appealing
to an audience that likes the horror
genre meaning they are more likely to
go and see it.
• If shown prior to another movie
audiences are forced to watch the
trailer meaning they will be aware of
your production.
• Not everyone visits a cinema therefore
showing that not all audiences that
enjoy films such as your own will see
the trailers
• It would be expensive to market your
film within the cinema as many
institution companies are competing
to show their trailer.

11. TV adverts
Pro’s Con’s
• Audiences are usually forced
to watch the trailer as they
would be in the cinema
• Can appeal to a wide range of
people
• Not everyone watches
television so they may miss
your production trailer.
• It may be expensive to show
your trailer within TV adverts

12. Star appeal
Pro’s Con’s
• Use of star appeal will attract
their fan base to watch the film
creating a higher box office
profit
• The cast can do interviews to
boost the recognition of the
film and interest a wider
audience
• Star appeal may have the
opposite effect on the public as
the audience may not like
them within specific films or
genres etc.
• Not everyone will care enough
to read/watch/listen
interviews resulting in a lack
of public knowledge of the film

13. Posters
Pro’s Con’s
• Posters can be shown
anywhere through the public
meaning people may pay
attention to them without even
realising
• People are certain locations
are more likely to view your
poster e.g. billboards are
usually noticed when stuck in
traffic, bus users will often see
posters at their bus stop.
• Not everyone will pay
attention to your poster, they
may not take notice of it.
• People may not gather all the
information they need from a
poster causing them to lose
interest.

14. Sponsors
Pro’s Con’s
• If people like the
person/product you include
they may be more likely to see
your film
• May not be as expensive as
methods such as television
adverts
• Some people may not pay
attention to what the sponsor
is displaying, they may only
care about the product
• People may be less likely to
watch the film and more likely
to buy the product

15. Merchandise
Pro’s Con’s
• Not only does it promote your
film it also influences people to
buy your product, could be
given away in competitions
and prizes etc.
• Allows others to promote your
film e.g. if someone is wearing
a t shirt with your brand they
may be interested and
research your film
• People may be less likely to
buy the merchandise if the
film is poor quality etc.
• Some may not like the style of
the merchandise

16. Publicity stunts
Pro’s Con’s
• Good way of actively getting
people involved with your
production
• May be covered by journalists
and posted in magazines or
newspapers meaning many
will see your film advertised
• Can have a negative backlash
for example if someone gets
hurt/offended

17. Overall…
• So overall we can see distribution and marketing play a large part in
how audiences chose to view the production, without distribution or
marketing we would lack knowledge of films as well as not be able to see
them in our preferred way e.g. some may like cinema and others may
like online streaming.
• I find that for my production I will use Cinema to distribute my film as
that is where majority of people will look when they see a new film. Film
festivals would also be useful as it allows people to view your film and
get picked up by other distributors and perhaps gaining your
production a high popularity if the distributer is popular.
• For marketing I will use traditional method such as cinema adverts, as
they allow you to target audiences watching certain films that may
relate to yours. I will also use posters, TV adverts and interviews with
cat as it will attract a wider audience and multiple people will see the
advertisements.