The film Chasing Shadows was produced with a low budget by the independent production company Max Mount Studios. It was distributed by Beezer Productions, an independent distributor suited for the film's objectives as the producers did not expect a major release. Max Mount Studios gave the filmmakers creative control and allowed them to develop the storyline, cast actors, and take on filming and editing roles themselves. While this gave the filmmakers experience, the low budget meant they lacked technology like CGI and sufficient equipment for lighting. Low-budget films have advantages like easier casting and location filming but disadvantages include smaller crews, limited funds for equipment, inability to cast famous actors, and restricted marketing and distribution.

1. THE MEDIA
INSTITUTION USED
TO DISTRIBUTE
AND WHY?

2. WHO DISTRIBUTED
CHASING SHADOWS?
Beezer Productions distributed our film. It is an independent
distributor, therefore we decided that this would be suitable
for our film as it reflects the films objectives as we aren’t
anticipating a great release since this would be an unrealistic
goal, because of the fact that this is our first film.

3. WHY BEEZER
PRODUCTIONS?
• Beezer Productions is capable of funding the
minimal advertising for Chasing Shadows such
as our poster and trailer.
• Additionally, Beezer Productions can fund the
screening of Chasing Shadows in a film festival
instead of a premiere which wouldn’t be
affective anyway due to the lack of popularity.
• We chose the name Beezer because it is
colloquial term for Excellent – which is what our
film is and it also ties in with the characters in
our film, as this is the sort of word they’d use in
their speech.

4. CHASING SHADOWS
PRODUCTION COMPANY
The production company for Chasing Shadows is Max Mount
Studios which is a fairly small and independent production
company. Max Mount Studios stipulated a low budget to
produce the film. Though Max Mount Studios isn’t a large
company, there were several advantageous aspects for us.

5. WHAT ADVANTAGES?
Firstly, one major advantage was that we had creativity control. We could
film whatever we wanted to and created our own schedule – therefore, we
could film whenever we wanted to.
Secondly, we developed the storyline of our film independently. This meant
that we could alter, modify and adjust the storyline of Chasing Shadows
without opposition.
Additionally, we had full control over the casting of our film, so we could
cast who we thought would fit the character profile perfectly.
Finally, as we didn't have a filming or editing crew, we had to take on these
roles ourselves.
It was a fantastic experience learning to use the equipment and then using
the equipment as well as using interesting software such as ‘Final Cut Pro’
when editing.
This made our film flow efficiently, as the members our small group of four
had similar ideas and not many objections arose regarding the ideas during
pre production and post production.

6. ADVANTAGES IN THE
REAL WORLD…
• Having a low budget film means that there are several
advantages. Firstly, it is easier to cast without spending
too much money and unpopular actors/actresses can
move up in their career after an initial appearance in a low
budget film.
• Another advantage is that footage is shot ‘on location’,
Which means travelling a distance to get to a particular
destination isn’t a worry.
• Furthermore, it is fairly easy to distribute the film with no
cost by taking advantage of the internet by showing the
film on websites or social networking sites.

7. DISDVANTAGES?
Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that there were few setbacks
regarding our low budget from Max Mount Studios.
Firstly, the budget wasn’t enough to provide enough technology
for Chasing Shadows. Technology such as CGI is required
during Post production to create a thrilling experience, however
access to it was not possible, therefore we could not create a
more affective mise en scene for our film.
A mainstream film such as Thor had access to technology such
as CGI, and so they created a realistic yet stimulating attention-
grabbing film.
Secondly, lack of equipment that would help with the lighting of
Chasing Shadows proved to be a disappointment as creating a
more interesting experience for our audience could not be
achieved.

8. DISADVANTAGES IN
THE REAL WORLD…
• One disadvantage
considering the production
of a low budget film is that
there is a smaller crew,
therefore, there is more work
to be done.
• Secondly, money has to be
spent wisely, which means
there isn’t enough for high
quality equipment and
software.
• Additionally, there isn’t
enough money to cast
famous actors/actresses, so
unpopular actors/actresses
is the only choice. This
affects the popularity of the
film.
• One disadvantage
considering the
distribution of a low
budget film is that there
is limited access in terms
of marketing.(Film cannot
be advertised worldwide.)
• The film will only be
marketed locally and
won’t be able to have a
worldwide release.
• This would affect the
profit made as an
unpopular film means a
smaller audience, which
means less money made.