Channel 4 would be a likely distributor for the media product Hostage based on three key points: 1) Channel 4 has distributed many gritty, urban crime and drama films without big name casts, such as Shameless and Top Boy. 2) They help launch the careers of new actors in these films and turn the films into successes. 3) Channel 4 has a tendency to distribute multiple series of successful gritty dramas they have a hand in producing.

1. What kind of media institution
might distribute my media product
and why?

2. Cow Boy Films
• Cow Boy Films have produced a number of gritty films and dramas.
• They have produced Black Sea, Poppy Shakespeare, Fire In Babylon and the main
influence for my media film Hostage, Top Boy.

3. Why Channel Four are
a Likely Distributor for
Hostage….
• Channel have distributed many urban gritty drug, crime and violent type dramas.
The example I wish to use to highlight this is Shameless. Shameless had a relatively
under profile cast with the exception of David Threlfall. They were willing to take a
risk on new concept without a blockbuster cast, like they did with Top Boy. They
helped launch the casts into bigger stars, Ashley Walters who plays Dushane has
been turned into a drama star. James McAvoy was low profile has been catapulted
into a Hollywood blockbuster star, with roles in the massively successful X-Men
Days of the Future Past. So Channel four are willing to take gambles on new urban
cultured and other forms of drama if they like the concept. I think this makes them
a possible distributor of Hostage as they have tendency to turn these dramas into
a success and distribute multiple series of these dramas due to the success they
turn them and the actors into.

4. Other UK Dramas Channel 4 Have Distributed

5. Universal
International Pictures
Cowboy Films produced Black Sea and it was distributed by
Universal Pictures, they liked the idea of the film without it
being a blockbuster Hollywood cast, with the exception of
Jude Law. They trust Cowboy’s production work. I have
already suggested the Cowboy would produce Hostage.
Cowboy Films also produced Marley a film on the life of Bob
Marley. It was also distributed in the UK by Universal. Both of
these films like Hostage have an element of elements of crime
and violence. People may ask how Marley does fit this
category however, Bob Marley had very tricky and violent
experiences often and Marley documents this, for example
the attempted assassination of him.