Vertigo Films and Paramount Pictures are potential film distributors for the filmmaker's thriller film '48 Hours'. Vertigo Films is a British independent film company that specializes in low-budget films, including thrillers, making them a good fit for the filmmaker's low-budget thriller. Paramount Pictures is one of the major Hollywood studios and has experience distributing thriller films, but thriller is not their main genre. Both companies could help generate profit through potential film franchises. However, Vertigo Films' target audience may not be suitable and Paramount rarely distributes thrillers.

1. Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your
media product and why?
I believe the company’s that would distribute my film would be:
• Vertigo Films
• Paramount Pictures
Vertigo Films
Vertigo Films is a British film production and film distribution company based in
London, England. Vertigo Films was created in 2002 by producers Allan Niblo
(Human Traffic and South West 9), James Richardson (Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)),
directors Nick Love (Goodbye Charlie Bright and The Football Factory), Distributor
Rupert Preston (Chopper, Chasing Amy and Bride of Chucky) and entrepreneur Rob
Morgan. The company was formed for the express purpose of producing and
distributing the two films:
• The Football Factory
• It’s All Gone Pete Tong.
Currently, its stated goal is to produce and distribute four films a year.
Films that have been distributed by Vertigo Films:
• Shrooms (2007)
• The Children (2008)
• Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten.
Shrooms:
The film ‘Shrooms’ is about 3 couples who visit Ireland woods to collect magic
mushrooms and trip out. Whilst on their way they meet some strange inhabitants
of the woods and it doesn’t take long until a creepy story is being told at the
campfire which is possibly more than just a story. Strange things start occurring,
disappearances start happening, silhouettes are spotted moving through the woods
and the ‘creepy story’ becomes a reality.
Budget (opening weekend UK): £313, 758
Marketing:
As we can see on the album cover, not a lot is given away; I think this is good for
thriller films as it helps create suspense and anticipation.
Why should Vertigo Films distribute my film ’48 Hours’?
I believe that Vertigo Films should distribute my film because they are a low budget
independent film company, which is perfect considering my film would be low
budget. Vertigo have experience distributing thrillers so I would not have to worry
about ’48 Hours’ not being distributed correctly.

2. Doubts
Vertigo Films already have an established target audience, and are used to producing
‘laddish, gritty boy films’ for their target audience, and so there are doubts as to
whether Vertigo is the best option. Although, they have started branching out and
making different genre’s of films so this gives me hope.
Franchise
The ‘StreetDance’ franchise is distributed by Vertigo films. This is good news
because if I ever wanted to sequel my film, I would be able to rely on Vertigo Films
to help.
Connections
Vertigo films is partners with:
• Protagonist Pictures
• Film 4
• Ingenious
Film 4
Film 4 is a great company to be in partners with, because it means I would be able to
show my film on TV too.
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures is a film studio, television company and motion picture
distributor. It is part of the ‘big 6’ film studios. Paramount is dated back to 1912. It
was founded by Adolph Zukor.
Films distributed by Paramount Pictures:
• The Uninvited (2009)
• The Ruins (2008)
• Disturbia (2007)
The Ruins
The film ‘The Ruins’ is about a group of friends who go on a leisure holiday in
Mexico, however it takes a turn for the worse when they along with a fellow tourist
embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle where something evil is living
amongst the ruins.
Budget: $8million
Box Office: $22, 375, 000
Marketing

3. The ruins was released on DVD in both R-rated and unrated versions. This displays
the diversity Paramount are capable of.
Why should Paramount Pictures distribute my film ’48 Hours’?
Paramount has distributed previous Thriller films, so this gives me faith they would
do a good job distributing my film. They are also part of the big 6 which means they
are almost guaranteed to make a profit from the distribution of ’48 Hours’.
Doubts
Paramount Pictures isn’t actually well known for distributing thriller films, although it
has done a few in the past, it is not it’s most common genre, and so my film may be
out of place.
Franchise
Like Vertigo Films, Paramount Pictures has distributed film franchises too, for
example the Transformers franchise. This can therefore generate more profit buy
having to opportunity to create sequels.
Connections
Paramount Pictures has multiple contacts some being Lucasfilm and DreamWorks
Animation.