The document discusses various aspects of independent cinema production, distribution, and exhibition. It describes the typical 5 stages of film production as well as multiple sources of revenue for distribution, including theatrical showings, online distribution, and streaming. It notes that independent films are typically exhibited online, at independent cinemas, or film festivals due to limited mainstream cinema release. The document provides examples of independent production and distribution companies.

1. INDEPENDENT CINEMA RESEARCH

2. PRODUCTION
Production consists of 5 stages:
• Development- Treatment/Film Outline/Script
• Packaging- Pitch idea/Hire creative staff
• Preproduction- Storyboard/Final Draft of Script/Insurance/ Logistics
• Principal Photography- Filming
• Post-Production- Editing/SFX/Music/Loops

3. DISTRIBUTION
Distribution is the process of commercially exploiting a motion picture. Revenue comes from
many sources such as:
• Theatrical distribution/exhibition (domestic and foreign) Non-theatrical
Distribution/Exhibition (airlines, hotels, military bases.)
• Videogram distribution (VHS, DVD, Laser Disc)
• Online (ITunes etc.)
• Streaming (iplayer etc.)
• Pay-Television (premium cable, satellite, Sky Movies)
• Non Pay-television (Local channels, Cable, broadcast networks)

4. EXHIBITION
• How the audience view the film.
• Mainstream films are viewed on DVD or in mainstream cinemas suchas Odeon.
There are several ways to exhibit an independent film. These are:
• Online
• Independent cinemas
• Film festivals
•

5. INDEPENDENT CINEMA
Independent cinema is a film that is produced outside of the six major film production
companies. They must receive less than 50% funding from these companies in order to be an
independent film. These generally are small budget films which do not follow the Classical
Hollywood System. They also have limited release in larger cinemas as they cannot afford to
do so.

6. MAINSTREAM CINEMA
Mainstream Cinema is a film that is produced by one of the 6 big companies. These are:
Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Disney/Touchstone
and Universal. These are big budget films which are widely distributed and are of a high
quality in terms of editing and special effects.

7. PRODUCTION
Examples of Independent Production Companies are:
• Republic Pictures
• Coffee Films
• Scenario Films
• Island Pictures
Examples of Mainstream Production Companies are:
• Disney
• Warner Bros
• Universal
• Paramount

8. HOW DO INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION
COMPANIES FUND THEIR PROJECTS?
Independent production companies have a range of different sources to get their funding from,
however they are often hard to get. One method is government funding- through Europe's
Media Programme, and the British Film Institute. Applying for funding from these large
organisations is probably the most obvious way for independent production companies to try
and get funding, but also can be very difficult to secure. A second strategy that Indepenent
Production Companies use is product placement. Companies often fund the film if their brand
or product is promised to be advertised within the film. The final way in which they fund their
projects is through private investors or self investment in which all funding comes from the
production team.

9. DISTRIBUTION
The FDA (Film Distributors Association) is a company which helps for independent films to be
distributed in the UK. There are several distribution companies such as Artificial Eye and Buena
Vista International who have links with the big six, but distribute low budget and independent films.
Film festivals are organised cinematic events in which independent films are showcased. Film
festivals are important as they showcase and support talent, allows for people in the industry to
network, recognises smaller filmmakers and also creates money. The most famous UK Film festival
for Independent Cinema is the Raindance Festival, which is held in London every October.
Self Distribution is when the producer or filmmaker distributes the film themselves. Advantages to
self distribution are that the filmmaker has full control and also gets to keep all of the profit.
Films can also be distributed online through websites such as Distrify and Dynamo.
Screenings for independent films usually take place at independent cinemas (not Cineworld or
Odeon chains). These screenings are either theatrical- screening to the public, or non-theatrical-screening
to a closed and invited audience. Most independent films obtain a screening of their film
through film festivals.

10. KILL BILL
• Production Companies
• Miramax Films
• A Band Apart
• Super Cool ManChu
• Distributors
• Miramax Films (2003) (USA) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Communications (2003) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Bioscop (2003) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Spain (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (UK) (theatrical)

11. CASINO ROYALE
• Production Companies
• Columbia Pictures (copyright holder)
• Eon Productions (presents) (as Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions Limited)
• Casino Royale Productions
• Stillking Films
• Casino Royale
• United Artists (copyright holder)
• Distributors
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (2006) (World-wide) (all media)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Nordic (2007) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (2-disc edition) (1-disc edition)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Nordic (2008) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (3-disc edition) (2-disc edition)
• FS Film (2012) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (23-disc Bond 50)
• FS Film (2013) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
• Alexandra Films (2006) (Bulgaria) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (2006) (USA) (theatrical)

12. BOURNE IDENTITY
• Production Companies
• Universal Pictures (presents)
• Kennedy/Marshall Company, The (as Kennedy/Marshall)
• Hypnotic
• Kalima Productions GmbH & Co. KG
• Stillking Films
• Distributors
• Universal Pictures (2002) (USA) (theatrical)
• East West (2002) (Russia) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Austria) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Brazil) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (Finland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2002) (UK) (theatrical)

13. MEMENTO
• Production Companies
• Newmarket Capital Group
• Team Todd
• I Remember Productions
• Summit Entertainment
• Distributors
• Newmarket Films (2001) (USA) (theatrical) (as Newmarket)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution (Canada) (all media)
• Pathé Distribution (UK) (all media)
• Istituto Luce (Italy) (all media)

14. RESERVOIR DOGS
• Production Companies
• Live Entertainment (as Live America Inc.)
• Dog Eat Dog Productions Inc.
• Distributors
• Miramax Films (1992) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (1992) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Ascot Filmverleih (1992) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Cine Company S.A. (1992) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (1992) (France) (theatrical)
• Penta Distribuzione (1992) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Dendy Films (1993) (Australia) (theatrical)

15. TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
• Production Companies
• StudioCanal
• Karla Films (co-production)
• Paradis Films (co-production)
• Kinowelt Filmproduktion (co-production)
• Canal+ (support)
• CinéCinéma (support) (as Cinecinema)
• Distributors
• StudioCanal (2011) (UK) (theatrical)
• ITI Cinema (2011) (Poland) (theatrical)
• Top Film Distribution (2011) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Top Film Distribution (2011) (Ukraine) (theatrical)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2011) (Netherlands) (theatrical)

16. BREAKING AND ENTERING
• Production Companies
• Miramax Films
• Mirage Enterprises
• Distributors
• Weinstein Company, The (2006) (USA) (all media)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (2006) (Non-US) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution (2007) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2007) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2007) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2006) (UK) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2007) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Japan (2007) (Japan) (theatrical)

17. EVALUATION
After researching independent cinema research I have discovered that my film would be
produced, distributed and exhibited by the following:
• Production- Triumph Productions
• Distribution- Artificial Eye
• Exhibition- Online