3 DISTRIBUTION

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
The distributor that will distribute my film is Verve, this is because they have dealt with many successful "first time filmmakers" and are "passionate and discover new talent." This therefore suits our film perfectly. 

Distribution is the process of getting the film into the hands of the theatre chains, broadcasters, video stores and video on demand (VoD) operators. The companies that do this are called distributors. In general, a producer uses a sales agent to license a film to distributors outside the producer’s own country.

I have used a variety of material to learn and understand the job. But also the necessity for distributors. I have visited the BFI on a study day on the 2nd of November where Rob Miller lectured about the importance of distributors and a summary of their overall job.
I have taken a FutureLearn course in which talked about similar things to the BFI visit. Overall, distributors are the people who make the film’s audience aware of the film’s presence and they convince the audience that they need to watch the movie to gratify their needs.

I have also done further research by looking at a variety interviews discussing the importance of distribution. A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film. The distribution company is usually different from the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film.
The distributor may set the release date of a film and the method by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing; for example, directly to the public either theatrically or for home viewing (DVD, video-on-demand, download, television programs through broadcast syndication etc.). A distributor may do this directly, if the distributor owns the theatre’s or film distribution networks, or through theatrical exhibitors and other sub-distributors. A limited distributor may deal only with particular products, such as DVDs or Blu-ray, or may act in a particular country or market. Distributors receive money from cinema exhibitions, DVD, Blu-Ray and any merchandise. Distributors have to do a perfect job of advertising, whether that was a social media campaign, TV advertising, Cinema advertising or through P & A. The most effective use of advertising for a film would be trailers- they give the audience a small taste of the film. This becomes especially effective when they are shown in a cinema. This is because the trailer would be shown to that film’s target audience. Therefore, convincing them to watch the movie and therefore the distributors do their job in a successful advertising campaign. There is no point in bringing out a film if your target audience is not aware of its existence. 

I also looked at case studies of distribution such as Jurassic World was marketed, presented by Gareth Lowrie of NBC Universal explained the campaign to his audience at the FDA conference.
Small Film Distribution
One example of how successful film distribution is to small films is A Tortoise In Love which needed the help of the BFI to distribute their film. They were given a sum of money which was spent on P & A which eventually led to the films overall success. This therefore further strengthens the need and necessity for distribution even amongst smaller films. Social media will also play a big part due to it being accessible to everyone with a phone and internet, it is also free to use.
Big Six Distribution
The Big Six use a larger array of advertising and marketing, The only difference in advertising between Big Six and smaller films is the use of TV advertising as well as Cinema advertising, the more expensive uses of advertising only affordable by a bigger film. Although they will use more expensive uses of marketing, they will also use P & A as it is still a cost efficient method. One example is the very expensive marketing campaign of Deadpool. Although they used a lot of TV spot trailer advertising, they also used a Super Bowl spot only affordable by a Big Six distributor. Although Deadpool did also exploit the benefits of using social media as well. 

One case study that we looked at was the London Waterloo Jurassic World advertising. In which London Waterloo was turned into Jurassic World in an attempt to build up hype for the movie. But also to get the event trending on social media platforms with popular hashtags. The event quickly became the most trending thing on Twitter and Instagram therefore fulfilling its general purpose and aim. Jurassic World merchandise was also sold to try and increase the movies total revenue but to once again increase hype. Realistic and very attractive props were used, to mimic the terrifying nature of the velociraptors. as well as. This will be because the marketing team will want to impress their audience showing that they offer good quality and put in a lot of effort.