Successful films rely heavily on both good marketing/distribution targeting a specific audience as well as high-quality production practices. Marketing and distribution are crucial to make audiences aware of a film and give them access to view it. However, production quality also significantly impacts a film's success. A film's marketing strategy may be well-targeted, but the film will likely fail if the production itself is not well-executed. Overall, both production practices and marketing/distribution to the right audience are equally important for box office success in the film industry.

1. “Successful media products depend as much upon
marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they
do upon good production practices”. To what extent
would you agree with this statement, within the media
area you have studied?
Relating to film.
June 2011

3. Breaking down the question
What is marketing?
The promotion and selling of a product.
What is distribution?
The way that a product is shared among an audience.
What are good production practices?
These include choosing the release date, below the line marketing on social
media, etc.

4. The question in words that make sense
“Films depend on marketing and distribution to a target audience as much as they
do good methods of marketing and distribution and bringing the audience in.” Do
you agree with this statement? Relate your answer to film industry.
As you can see the question is basically asked twice.

5. What you need to cover
Candidates may cover the following material in their responses to the question:
Production practices which allow texts to be distributed and marketed for specific
audiences
The distribution and marketing of specific products or types of products How
audiences engage with distribution and marketing strategies
Audience strategies in facilitating or challenging institutional practices
Arguments for, or against, an institution’s success or failure
Explanation of synergy, cross media or digital initiatives and how these practices
target specific audiences

6. Essay Plan:
Introduction:
Introduce your chosen production company and
include a couple of facts to prove your knowledge of
the production company.
Main body:
Make sure you make your point and that it relates to
the question! Try to explain in full using keywords
where appropriate.

7. What to write about
Start by writing about the general importance of marketing and distribution and
good production practices. Briefly introduce your major case study.
Next, apply your case study to the question and speak about the marketing,
distribution and production practices used to ensure your film’s success.
Include a paragraph about your major case study’s audience and how their
marketing, distribution and production practices excited their audience and
allowed them to view the product.

8. What to write about
Introduce your independant case study and apply it to the question similarly to
how you spoke about your major case study.
Write a paragraph about your independant case study and how they marketed and
distributed their product to their audience.
Create a counter argument explaining how other methods are important in
ensuring success for your major case study.
Conclude by giving your opinion on how important marketing, distribution and
good production practices are in comparison to other methods.

9. “Successful media products depend as much upon
marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they
do upon good production practices”. To what extent
would you agree with this statement, within the media
area you have studied?
Relating to film.
June 2011