This document discusses potential media institutions to distribute a drama film. It analyzes Universal Pictures and Film4. Universal Pictures is identified as the best choice due to its large audience reach, success distributing drama films, excellent marketing, and financial stability. It has a proven track record of distributing similar drama films and ranking highly in box office earnings. Though Film4 also distributes drama, its success rate and financial stability is not as strong as Universal Pictures, making Universal the safer choice.

1. Question 3) What kind of
media institution might
distribute my media product
and why?

2. What is a media institution?
 It is an organisation or company that can be publicly or
privately owned to produces/distributes media products
such as films and DVDs.
 A film can be released locally or internationally while
DVDs can be released to shops.
 Media institutions can help the film with funding,
production and editing.

3. Stages of Production
 A concept is pitched to the company, and if they like it,
the company will help carry the film forward.
 Pre-production: This is where the storyboards are
created, and every scene, shot, camera angle,
distance, sound etc. is planned out for the film.
 Production: This is where filming is carried out and
everything follows the plans made in pre-production.
The scenes may be filmed more than once to get the
best possible outcome (however this can be
expensive).

4.  Post-production: This is where shots are edited, cut
and pieced together to get the best outcome.
Soundtracks and music are also added in this stage
and are fitted to the film. Further effects may also be
added such as special and visual effects.
 Distribution: This is where the finished film is sent out
to different cinemas, festivals, and made into DVDs for
shops. This can be international or local.
Stages of Production

5. Film Distributors
During my research before creating my film, I looked into
the institutions that help distribute drama films such as
‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Pump Up the Volume’ and ‘Beyond
Clueless’. From this research, I think that Universal
Studios Home Entertainment, which is a subsidiary of
NBCUniversal and is the international marketing &
distribution for Universal Pictures would be the best
company.

6. Universal Pictures
 Extremely well known and therefore have a very large
audience.
 They are known for major productions such as the
Jurassic Park films.
 They distribute a wide range of genres, but do have
many drama films to its name.
 They are excellent at marketing due to the fact that the
company name is everywhere including theme parks,
TV, cable and in broadcasting.

7. Universal Pictures
 They were ranked 1st in 2015 for highest total gross
($2,444.9 million) in 23 movies. They were also awarded 21
awards. They also beat other films which actually created
more films than them.
 Within the 23 films that they produced and distributed, 9 of
these were drama films, including hits such as ‘Straight
Outta Compton’ and ‘Unbroken’.
 Mission Statement: “We are one of the world’s leading
media and entertainment companies in the development,
production and marketing of entertainment, news and
information to a global audience”.

8. Film4
 I also decided to research Film4 as a distribution
company, as they are a mainstream British company
and are well known within the UK as they are also in
association with TV channels such as ‘E4’ and
‘Channel 4’. This will help promote the British viewer to
watch it.
 They are known for drama films such as ‘Slumdog
Millionaire’ and ‘The Riot Club’.
 They also have distributed many other film genres
much like Universal such as ‘Inbetweeners’ and ‘Shaun
of the Dead’.

9. Film4
 Although they have proven to be successful in the
past, their success rate is no where near as good as
Universal Pictures and they have more chance of
getting into financial trouble than Universal. Although
my film wouldn’t be too high of a budget, it is still safer
to go with Universal Pictures.

10. Advertisement
 My film would be advertised through trailers,
magazines, posters and interviews. Also, if Universal
were to distribute my product, they are a wealthy
enough company to go even further and advertise my
film on places such as buses, telephone boxes and
anywhere in a public place.
 Websites such as Netflix (where you pay to watch films
online) is another amazing platform for my film to be
advertised and even shown on.

11. Conclusion
 I think that Universal Pictures would best suit my film as
they have a great reputation with all types of films
including dramas. They have been very successful in
distributing drama films and getting the most
recognition and advertisement for them as possible.
This company is also very wealthy so funding would
not be an issue.