The document discusses various aspects of film exhibition and distribution. It describes how films progress from theatrical release in cinemas to subsequent releases on home video formats, pay TV, and free to air television. Originally theatrical windows were 6 months but have since shrunk to 4 months, which studios prefer but cinema chains oppose. The document also discusses simultaneous and straight-to-video releases, as well as new strategies like premiering films on video-on-demand before a limited cinema run.

1. FILM EXHIBITION
THE FILM INDUSTRY

2. THE FILM INDUSTRY
EXHIBITION
▸ When we refer to “film exhibition” we are talking about how the
public actually watches the film.
▸ The cinema release of a film marks the final stage of one part of
a film’s journey from idea to audience.
▸ It also marks the beginning of a new journey from cinema to
small screen. After its cinema release the film will then be
available on pay TV, free to air TV, as well as television.
▸ Each of these “exhibitions” of the film offers the possibility of
generating profits for both the film’s distributor and producers.

3. THE FILM INDUSTRY
STANDARD RELEASE
▸ Films are released in “release windows". This keeps similar movies from
competing with each other.
▸ In the standard release, a film is first released in the cinema (theatrical
window),
▸ After approximately 16 and a half weeks, it is released to DVD (video
window).
▸ After an additional number of months it is released to Pay TV and On
Demand services.

4. THE FILM INDUSTRY
SHRINKING THE THEATRICAL WINDOW
▸ Originally a six months duration
▸ Today been reduced to little more than four months.
▸ Movie studios have reportedly been pushing to shrink the duration of the
theatrical window.
▸ Cinema owners have fought fiercely against this.
▸ Why do you think studios are in favour but cinema chains are against
shrinking the theatrical window?

5. THE FILM INDUSTRY
SHRINKING THE THEATRICAL WINDOW
▸ Originally a six months duration
▸ Today been reduced to little more than four months.
▸ Movie studios have reportedly been pushing to shrink the duration of the
theatrical window.
▸ Cinema owners have fought fiercely against this.
▸ Why do you think studios are in favour but cinema chains are against
shrinking the theatrical window?

6. THE FILM INDUSTRY
SIMULTANEOUS RELEASE
▸ A simultaneous release takes place when a film is made
available on many media (cinema, DVD, internet) at the
same time or with very little difference in timing.
▸ What are the advantages of a simultaneous release?
▸ Consumers have more choice
▸ Producers only need one marketing campaign

7. THE FILM INDUSTRY
STRAIGHT-TO-DVD
▸ A straight to DVD/BluRay release occurs when a movie is
released on home video formats without being released in
cinemas first.
▸ S.T.Video releases used to be seen as a sign of poor quality
▸ This has become a more profitable option in recent years,
especially for independent moviemakers and companies.

8. THE FILM INDUSTRY
NEW STRATEGIES
▸ Makers of smaller-budget movies testing new release
strategies.
▸ EG. Film premiered on VOD (Video On Demand – Pay Per
View) systems and received a limited theatrical release one
month later.
▸ Some major studios have considered making movies
available to VOD services shortly after their theatrical
release for a premium price.

9. THE FILM INDUSTRY
THE FILM
VALUE CHAIN
Cinema
DVD/BluRay/ Downloads
Subscription Television
Free to air Television

10. THE FILM INDUSTRY
CINEMA
▸ There are several different
types of cinema :
▸ Multiplex
▸ Imax
▸ Art-house

11. THE FILM INDUSTRY
CINEMA CHAINS
▸ Odeon
VUE
Everyman
Curzon
Empire
Cineworld

12. THE FILM INDUSTRY
CHANGES IN EXHIBITION

13. HOW DOES THE RANGE OF “CINEMATIC EXPERIENCES” OFFERED VARY
BETWEEN THE ODEON/VUE AND CURZON/EVERYMAN CHAINS?
DO ALL CINEMAS WITHIN THE SAME CHAIN SHOW THE SAME FILMS? IF
NOT WHY NOT?
DO YOU THINK ALL THESE CINEMA CHAINS ATTRACT THE SAME TYPES
AUDIENCE? WHY?
THE NEXT STEP: RESEARCH AND CHECK YOUR
UNDERSTANDING
THE FILM INDUSTRY