_

1. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA
INSTITUTIONS MIGHT
DISTRIBUTEYOUR
MEDIA PRODUCT AND
WHY?

2. Production
■ Funding for the production of a film can come from a variety of sources.Typically a
large budget future blockbuster by a well known director is funded by one large
conglomerate so that the film makers can afford to have a star cast and have SFX.
However an ‘Indie’ film will often get it’s funding from a variety of sources (production
companies, the British film council or by future fans). For example for the production
of Four Lions Christopher Morris launched an appeal called ‘Funding Mentalism’ asking
that fans could contribute between £25 and £100 each to the production costs of the
film and would appear as extras in return. Websites such as indiegogo.com have
become popular ways finance niche films.

3. Production
An Independent
Company
■ We could produce our film with an independent company such asWarp. I believe that our film would
have a small budget. An independent company would have less of a say in decisions made, and we
would have more creative freedom. Going with one of the big six on the other hand would result in
them having some control over the production and they might cut out certain scenes. For instance
they try to do that so that the film appeals more to a mass global audience.
■ Even on a small budget we would have to get additional funding from other sources. Creative
England and the BFI film fund would be great sources of additional funding as we would fit the
criteria for funding being a British film.We may need to work alongside another production
company to have enough funding. Film Four specialise in independent and British films.As they
have backed a large number of UK films. Film Four have also producedTrainspotting which was very
successful and took in £48 million at the box office.Trainspotting is also a film we have took
inspiration from in the production of our film opening, so it would ideal to get a company that has
worked in the production of that to produce ‘Incognito’. Film Four have also worked on many films
throughout the years and along sideWarp Films before. Film Four andWarp worked in synergy to
ensure the success of 71.

4. Production
A Multinational Company
■ A multinational company, like Warner Brothers (a subsidiary ofTime Warner),
would mean that we would have a lot of funding for production.They would
have experience and contacts in the industry which would be useful in the
production of any film. However a large company like this would diminish our
creative freedom over the film and they would have the final say in decisions. I
believe that we wouldn’t need a massive amount of funding as its unlikely that
we are going to using SFX in our film, so there is no need to go with a
multinational company.

5. Distribution
■ If a major company like Paramount (part of the conglomerateViacom) distributed
our film they would be able to market it globally and we would have more funding
for better marketing campaign. Paramount is also part of the big six, this means
that they will have connections all over world and many years of previous
experience of distributing films. Also far more prints could be produced with the
funding of a large multinational company. However, even with the rising popularity
of films with a theme technology, I don’t think that we could market our film to a
mass audience as it wouldn’t have big name actors and SFX that would attract a
global audience.
■ Universal pictures is also a major company and this is due to the success of their
previously distributed films.They have distributed films such as Insidious, and
Sinister. However a company like this won’t be the best option for our film. Even
though Universal Pictures distribute many thriller films they tend to focus more
specifically on horror thrillers, and our film is a crime thriller.
■ A major institution can be an advertisement itself.This is because a successful
institution has a reputation within the industry.

6. Distribution
■ StudioCanal (known formally as Optimum Releasing) would be an ideal company to
distribute our film.They have distributed another Film Four andWarp Film collaboration,
Four Lions.Therefore these companies have had experience working together.
■ Optimum Releasing was acquired by StudioCanal, a subsidiary ofVivendi SA, in 2006.They
have distributed a large amount of films and these include: TinkerTailor Soldier
Spy, Tyrannosaur, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, and The Awakening.
■ StudioCanal are part of the three companies (StudioCanal, eOne and Entertainment) that
control half of all box office income made on UK independent films.
■ Since StudioCanal has had previous success with ‘indie’ films they would be a great option to
distribute our film as it would be produced byWarp and Film Four.
■ I believe that UK only release may be best for our film because for films to succeed globally
they have to have a mass target audience and ‘Incognito’ is more of a niche film. Not only
that but independent films have often not done well in the US cinemas. For example 71 made
$55,761 at the box office in the opening weekend but had great success in the UK with
$329,744 in the opening weekend.

7. ■ To conclude, I believe that usingWarp alongside funding from other companies, such
as Film Four and the BFI film fund would be the most suitable for our film. For
distribution, Studiocanal’s experience within the industry would be valuable for our
film and they have worked withWarp and Film Four.