Film distribution involves marketing and releasing films to audiences. Distributors control how films are advertised and sold through trailers, merchandise, and social media. They focus on theatrical release, home media release, and building the film's brand identity. Major distributors like Universal, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures, and Lionsgate distribute blockbuster franchises globally. How a film is distributed can significantly impact its box office performance. Self-distribution allows retaining full ownership but requires extensive marketing work, while distributors have existing relationships but take a share of profits.

1. Film Distribution

2. What is Film Distribution?
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Film distribution is the way in which a film is marketed and sent out to audiences.
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A distributor is an organisation or individual in various countries around the world in
different ways.
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Distributors also control the marketing of the film, the way in which it is sold to
audiences through things such as trailers, merchandise and TV advertisement,
more and more films are now also being advertised on social networking sites
such as Facebook and Twitter.
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They also focus on the dvd release of the film and how it will be sold to the public.
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They create the brand of the film, websites, twitter accounts all letting people know
about a films release and encouraging them to go and see it.
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The way in which a company distributes a film can dramatically affect how that film
does in the box office, if a film is marketed poorly then no matter how good it is,
less people will see it as it has been poorly marketed.
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3. Distribution Companies
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Distribution companies today are almost as big as the films which they produce
and sell. Many of them have instantly recognisable Indents which are known all
over the world.
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Perhaps the distribution company associated with the biggest blockbusters, is
Universal Studios, with films such as Jaws, E.T and Jurassic Park all distributed by
them.
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Another famous distribution company is that of 20 th Century Fox. Having distributed
films such as the Star Wars prequel and trequel and the Die Hard films, they are
known all over the world.
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Other companies include Warner Brothers, famous for the global success of the
Harry Potter films, Columbia pictures who distribute 1000s of films each year with
the likes of Spider-Man and James Bond on their books, and Lionsgate, who
tend to choose films that focus on action and crime.

4. Target audiences for our film

I believe that our film would possibly appeal more to the male gender as
opposed to the female, this is because there is lots of male focused action
and high intensity scenes. Although some scenes, in particular the ones with
much dialogue would appeal to women more as they may be able to feel
more involved in the story.
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I believe the age range for our target audience is between 18-35. This is because
that is the age when action and fighting is most exciting and thrilling to you.
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I believe our film would be rated a 15 certificate in cinemas, possibly an 18
depending on the language used in it.
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I think that our film has a wider appeal than just that of the UK. In the past UK films
have struggled overseas but with a ever-changing setting and scene I see no
reason why our film wouldn’t appeal to an overseas market.
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5. Pros and Cons of Self-Distribution
Pros
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The advantages of self-distribution are that it allows you to retain 100% of the rights
over your film
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It is your choice where about your film is shown, and the way in which it is marketed
and perceived in the media
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It means that you don’t have to give a % of any money made at the box office on
the film to a distributor, increasing your profits.
Cons
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It is very time consuming chasing possible buyers for your film and filling in much
paperwork
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It may limit your opportunities for sales as buyers may have established relationships
with buyers, putting them off investing in yours.
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You need to be very strong at marketing and know where the right place is to
market your particular film is, whether on the TV or through social media.
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6. Possible Marketing Strategies
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One way in which I think our film could be marketed would be through social
networking, creating a Facebook/Twitter page for the film and updating it
with news about the film.
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Furthermore, through the use of teaser trailers, hereby posting short 1 minute
clips of the film onto websites such as YouTube. This would encourage people
to see the film as the trailer would pose questions in their minds.
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TV Advertisement would also be effective, this is the most common use of
advertising for many films as it is the quickest way to reach your audience.
With millions of people in the UK watching TV everyday
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I believe billboard advertising would work for our film because it is quite an
action packed movie, a big poster of possible guns and fighting would entice
audiences to come and watch it.
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In terms of release, I feel the movie would be released on DVD 4 months after its
release in the cinema. This gives audiences enough time to go and see it but
doesn’t leave them waiting too long to see it again.

7. Who would distribute our film?
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I personally believe that Lionsgate would be the ideal company to distribute our
film.
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This is because having release films such as both the Expendables films and the
mechanic, they like fast paced action packed films, which I believe ours
would be.
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The mechanic in particular is a crime thriller and is similar to ours in that someone
is fighting to make something better of their life.
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Our film is similar to the kind of film that Lionsgate tend to produce, as it has all
the makings of a gritty crime thriller
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I don’t believe they would approach us about distributing our film as we have a
low budget, but with the right pitch and showing them how are film is suited
for their company, I see no reason why they wouldn’t distribute it.