This document evaluates different options for distributing a niche thriller film. It considers independent vs conglomerate distribution companies. Independent companies may be easier to work with but have smaller audience reach, while conglomerates are selective but could expand the audience. Streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime are also considered good options as they provide an large international audience and allow profits to be earned. The document concludes that using both a UK-based independent distributor like Optimum Releasing alongside an online streaming service would provide the most effective distribution strategy.

1. Question 3 :
What kind of media institutions might
distribute your media product and why?

2. There are loads of different distribution
companies that could distribute my film
In this question I will
evaluate the pros and cons
of all of these different
companies and institutions
in relation to factors such as
size (independent or
conglomerate) and where
they are based (i.e. Britain
etc.). I will also be
evaluating alternative
methods of distribution than
these companies.

3. Conglomerate or Independent
There are many different things to consider when deciding if it is best to go for a
large conglomerate based distribution company or an independent distribution
company. Firstly there will usually be much more difficulty in getting a
conglomerate company on board with a film than an independent. This is because
they will be looking for films that will give them large amounts of profit and as they
are so firmly established/ industrially dominant, they can afford to be selective
about which films they choose to distribute.
Another thing that should be noted is that a large conglomerate distribution
company may cost more to work with than an independent film company and so
in the end the possibly better distribution will leave the film production company still
making less money overall. However as these companies are usually so well known
this may not be the case as our audience will be made much larger by their
association with our film, something that may not happen if a smaller independent
company was chosen.

4. Conglomerate or Independent
(continued)
Thirdly as I am aiming for a niche audience it would probably more effective
for me to aim for a small independent film distribution company that operates
in a specific area. This is because as I would expect the profits made by my
thriller to be fairly small due to this niche audience I would probably avoid
using a distribution company that would take a lot of my profits as payment.
Also as a large distribution company would have its own professionals, they
would be unlikely to allow as much input from the production company as an
independent distribution company would. This is bad as it would take away
some of the productions company

5. Which companies would I choose
One company that I could use to distribute my thriller is ‘New Line
Cinema’ who are a large American Conglomerate that has
distributed movies like ‘Se7en’ in the past and therefore has
experience in distributing thriller films. However this is a conglomerate
and also based in America which may not be a good thing. Firstly as it
is a niche audience I am aiming for, a conglomerate may not be
ideal, but mostly as my target audience is British an American
company may not be ideal.
Another company which I could use to distribute my thriller is
‘Optimum releasing’ which despite being a subsidiary of the parent
company ‘Studio Canal’ operates in the UK and Ireland making it
better that ‘New Line Cinema’ which is based in the USA. It has also
had a lot of experience with distributing horror films like ‘The
Awakening’ and ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’ which is good as My
thriller has a sub genre of horror.

6. Alternate distribution methods
One alternate method of distributing my film is through
the use of the website ‘YouTube’ which has a huge
international following now on the internet and could
possibly mean that the film would have a wider
audience than it would have with most actual
companies. This method would also be free and
extremely easy.
However by doing this all profits would be
surrendered as it is free to view YouTube videos and so
the money saved from paying a distribution company
wouldn’t really mean anything and a loss would
probably be made. Although you could ask for
donations on the YouTube video, which many other
small companies have done in the past and so a small
profit may still be made. By doing this the production
company would also be very appreciated by the
audience and seen as generous.

7. Alternate distribution methods
(continued)
Another way that the film could be distributed is through
an online live streaming website; a medium of multimedia
viewing that has recently become extremely popular,
suspected of putting the company ‘Blockbuster’ out of
business. This is due to the fact that this medium of TV and
Film viewing is seen as the more convenient and easy way
of viewing Films etc. rather than buying and watching
DVD’s etc.
Examples of these companies include ‘Netflix’, ‘LOVE
FiLM’ and ‘Amazon Prime’. These are good because like
‘YouTube’ they can broadcast to a huge audience of
people. However unlike ‘YouTube’ these websites cost
money to use and therefore a profit can be made through
them. Also a lot of Niche films are displayed on these sites
all of the time and therefore they would suit my film well.

8. Conclusion
Overall I think that the online live streaming websites are the most effective
and cost effective way to distribute films in the modern day as it has such a
quickly growing audience. These online companies usually take a percentage
of the money brought in by the film and this will be probably on a case by
case basis depending on what type of film it is. A good point about this type
of distribution is that another method can be used along side this to make the
distribution of the film twice as effective. I would therefore choose the
company ‘Optimum releasing’ to distribute my film as they are based in
England and can target my niche audience. They also have had previous
experience distributing horror type films and so may be useful in developing
my films identity.