Question Presentation

Task 10- Distribution

Intro what is film distribution?

Distribution is the selling of and transitioning a film to cinemas and getting the audience to go and see the film.

What is the distributor's role?

The distributors role is to make sure that cinemas have and show their film and through advertisement and marketing to make sure audiences are encouraged to go and watch their film.

What's a distribution plan?

The distribution plan is the plan that the company comes up with in order to distribute and market their film. For example when they decide to release the film, when they decide to release the DVD and when hey release various marketing methods for the film including teaser trailers. (For example Jurassic World released their teaser trailer at the Super Bowl last year when the most people in the US are watching TV).

What's a P + A budget?

The P+A budget stands for the Print and Advertising budget. The prints is the actual film reel or the copy of the film which is shown in cinemas and the physical versions can cost around $2,000 per reel. Then the advertising is the budget they have for the marketing and the parts they must pay for are above the line parts of marketing. The average P+A budget for Big Six films from 2006 is about $34.5 million. However this is beginning to decrease with the development in technology as much of the 'print' is now free as they now deliver them digitally.

What is the average distribution cost for a big six film?

The average distribution cost is normally around 50% of the total film budget costs.

What does the distribution budget include?

The distribution budget covers the costs of the various types of above the line marketing, the transportation, creating and showing of the films and he creating and distributing of DVD's.

What is a simultaneous release?

Simultaneous release is a new method where the film is released in the cinema at the same time in which it is released on DVD or other channels of release such as internet release on a form such as Netflix.

What are some main distribution companies?

Some main distribution companies include:
1) Disney
2) Universal
3) Paramount
4) 20th Century Fox
5) Columbia
6) Warner Brothers
7) Lionsgate
8) MGM

What do you think is the link between audiences and distribution?
There is a link between audience and distribution because distribution is how they encourage the audience to see the film as well has how they get the film to the audience (e.g. Digital reel). So they marketing strategies that they use should be appropriate to the target audience of the film, so for a teen audience you would complete a lot of marketing online and on social media where as for a young audience you would complete it more through synergy with games and toys. If the link between audience and distribution isn't made then less people will go and see the film as less people in their target audience would see it advertised.

Define target market audience? What's audience positioning?
This is the main audience which the marketers of the film are trying to attract to go and see the film. This usually means that the marketing strategies will revolve around what that age group will want see and enjoy.

Why is the release date crucial?

The release date is crucial because it depends on whether or not people are more likely and able to come to see the film and if you are a smaller film whether or no you will have large competition that takes away some of your audience. For example most large blockbuster films are released in school holidays just as Jurassic World was released in July in the summer holidays, as if it is released in a time like so then a larger amount of the main cinema goers are able to go as the ages are 16-24 years, as they won't be at school and will have free time.

What is self-distribution?
Self distribution is where the company itself or a person themselves distribute and release a film. This can occur in both mainstream films with Warner Bros being wholly integrated and independent films that produce by themselves and then send to festivals etc. to be shown to audiences for a small fee. 

Task 8- Technology

A variation of technology is used throughout production, distribution, exhibition and exchange of a film. Here are some examples:

Production

• Green screens and digital backgrounds are used in many large mainstream films now to enable filming of scenes, in different far fetched settings, to take place in quick succession as they don't have to wait as long for set design to take place in a studio. For example in The Hunger Games they were able to film multiple parts of the 'Games Opening Ceremony' in one setting in a car park with green screen technology.
• CGI is used in the post production editing stage to create a more realistic living animal/ object etc. that wasn't on set or real to be in a scene and the final version of the film. This happened in Jurassic World for the dinosaurs, the dinosaurs were created by CGI and so that the editors and animators could make them look as realistic as possible they used humans to act the movements for the dinosaurs.
• The standard amount of frames per second for filming rate is able to increased now with the standard amount being 24 fps an example of this was The Hobbit which used 48fps, this enabled the film to be even smoother than normally as more frames were used.
• During filming specialist cameras and lenses are now used to enable 3D viewing and Imax screening. This helps to enhance the viewing quality for the audience as the 3D enables the audience to feel more engaged with the action and the Imax creates a wider screen viewing aging making the audience feel more involved, this makes a better cinema experience.
• Red One Digital cameras are transforming the filming process by replacing the standard 35 mm camera with a smaller, lighter, and thus more portable camera solution – without lessening image .
• 4K cameras are being used now to enable greater camera quality than before a great example of where this is used is in the most recent Star Wars film.

Distribution

• In modern day most ways of distributing occur through technology as in the marketing stage the internet plays a prominent role with official websites, blogs, trailers on YouTube, various types of other advertisement with companies and social media.
• As well as advertising, when distributing the films to cinema they no longer use hard copy reels but USB's or online file versions, this makes it cheaper to send/use and also makes the film able to last forever as the film reel can eventually wear away.

Exhibition and Exchange

• When buying DVD's you can now get Ultraviolet codes and Disney Digital Copies which enables people to share a single DVD with people virtually. Purchased Blu-rays can also be stored and accessed online and in the cloud, allowing audiences to engage with their entertainment wherever, whenever they want.
• You are now able to watch films in 3D/4D and Imax creating better viewing for the audience however not everyone likes it as you have to wear glasses.
• Another way more people are able to watch the films is through online releases with companies such as Netflix that with a membership enable people no matter where they are to access thousands of films for people to enjoy.

Task 7- Cinema Audience Habits

What days to audiences go to the cinema?

Most people go to the cinema at the weekends as that is when they are off and don't have to worry about work and other times that are popular is weekdays that have a deal happening e.g. Wednesdays with orange and Two for Tuesdays with ComparetheMarket.com.

What are the most popular genres?

The most popular genres were Action, Romance and Comedy. This is because these are genres that are safe, as most of the films that are huge blockbusters come under these genres as these genre films appeal to mass audiences. 

What was the top film in each of these genres?

Romance- Cinderella, this is because it was released in the school holidays and was also popular for families to go and watch meaning they did best in box office for 2015 romance films.

Action- Jurassic World, this was also released in the school holidays and was available for families to go and watch, as the age rating didn't limit the viewings and it was long awaited.

Comedy- Inside Out and Minions, again both of these both appeal to families and younger children, meaning a larger audience went to see the films. They also were both released in the summer holidays meaning that children were in school holidays.

How do audiences hear about films?

Most people find out about films from trailers that are on TV and in the cinema before the film starts, also they find out about them through social media, this is because nearly everyone in the target audience of cinema is on some type of social media.

Do audiences prefer US, UK or other nationality films?

Most people like US or UK films as they are the two most prominent countries in the film industry, however nearly all the main blockbuster films are from US companies, e.g. Disney, a high majority of people prefer US films to UK films.

Do audiences like 3D films?

Nearly all people prefer 2D films because when watching 3D films you have to wear the glasses and unless the movie is especially good for 3D it is a bit pointless to most people.

What other ways do audiences watch film aside from the cinema?

Other ways people watch films is through the internet/ online e.g. Netflix. However people are also watching the films on illegal film websites such as Putlocker which stops money going back into the film industry.

Who do audiences go to the cinema with?

Most of the time people go to the cinema with friends as it is what many people do when they want to meet up with their friends and go and do something together as it isn't particularly expensive to do. Occasionally people go with their families, but that depends upon the type of film it is and the age of the children/ people who are going.

When and where are most audiences likely to go to the cinema?

The most popular places to go to the cinema at their nearby mainstream cinema such as Odeon, Vue or Cineworld. This is because these are the cinemas that show the most popular blockbuster, mainstream films around the UK.

Definitions

Mainstream- safe genre films that are distributed to mass, national and often international audiences

Independent- films that have more localised appeal and niche audiences and that often utilise digital technologies to create 'brand awareness'. Independent films do not have access to extensive distribution networks.

Production (stages)- the physical film making process

Distribution- getting the films out to cinemas and paying for the advertising and marketing shown to the audiences.

Exchange

Multinational Conglomerate

Monopoly

Oligopoly

Name the Big Six (90% of box office takings)

Horizontal Integration (also known as cross media ownership)

Vertical Integration

Synergy

Merchandising

Ultra Violet

Above the Line

Below the Line

Technological Convergence/Cross media convergence

Consumption

Exhibition

Piracy

Hollywood Franchise 4S Model – synergy, spectacle, sequelisation, story

Tie-In

Task 6- Independent Cinema

Independent Cinemas in and around Essex:

- Cramphorn Theatre

- Genesis (London)

- The Cornerhouse (Manchester)

- The Orion (Burgess Hill)

- Zeffirellis (Ambleside)

- Prince Charles (London)

- The Phoenix (Falmouth)

- Watershed (Bristol)

- BFI Southbank (London)

- Watermans (Brentford)

- Rich Mix (London)

- Rio (London)

- National Media Museum (Bradford)

- The Phoneix (London)

Above are lots of Independent Cinemas that can be found in and around Essex mainly in London.  

Genesis (London)-

This independent cinema is in East London and remains high on the list of quality indie cinemas in London. Some of its screens may once have been glorified TV screens, but in recent years it has been improved the most high-end of multiplexes. It holds many different events including a remix of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Ghostbusters, a poetry slam, and live art in the gallery. A bonus to the cinema also is that you can get married there!

To find out more, here is the cinemas website: www.genesiscinema.co.uk

 The Electric (Birmingham)-

It is one of the oldest cinemas in the UK. Opened in 1909, it’s been called a variety of names over the years, including The Tatler and The Tivoli, but reverted to its original Electric name in 1993. Showing a wide variety of indie, mainstream, and world cinema. It also plays host to its own film post and production company Electric Flix.

 To find out more here is the cinemas website: https://www.theelectric.co.uk/

 The Cornerhouse (Manchester)-

The Cornerhouse is situated in Manchester and is a former furniture shop, it is now a charitable cross-media powerhouse. It has patrons including Helen Mirren, Danny Boyle, and Damien Hirst, it has three screens, three galleries, café, and bookshop bar. It shows a mix of the best independent films, and events such as live scores of films.

 To find out more here is the cinemas website: http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/cinema-listings

Hyde Park Picture House (Leeds)-

Hyde Park Picture House is not owned by Picturehouse/Cineworld. It is an independent institution in the centre of Leeds. It turned 100 years old on the 7th November. It is said to show the very best of under the radar cinema from around the world, this council owned cinema has a vocal and dedicated fan-base and mixes Edwardian touches such as gas lighting, an outside box-office, and balcony seating, with up to date Dolby Digital technology, for its architecture and screens.

To find out more here is the cinemas website:   http://www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk/

Audience-

Most of these cinemas will only attract small audiences a majority of the time as many of the films they show appeal only to the minority and are not advertised too much to the public. The audiences are usually middle aged people with film interests or media/ film university students.

Task 5- Independent Production Company Research

We had to look at 4 types of independent production companies and the types of films they produce. The four companies we looked at were:

1. Film 4
2. Summit Entertainment
3. Icon Entertainment
4. Warp Films