Guide to film disturbution

Guide to film distribution


Introduction

Every film has its own custom made distribution plan.  Distributors decide when and how to release a film to optimize its chances. The goal is to put the film in the best position possible to recoup the costs of the film and make a profit.

Risks

Nobody is defiantly sure what makes a hit and there's no guarantee that a squeal will do as well as its previous film.It is entirely based on he strength of that one film.   Previews and test screenings are shown to an audience then are asked to fill in a questionnaire afterwords  This helps the distributor to feel confident about box office prospects and their target market.  Sometimes "sleeper" hits can occur  by a film keeping its theatrical run showing for longer than intended.

Focus on audience

Age, gender, lifestyles, social media, consumption patterns all of these things are important when choosing how you are to market your film.  On average 3 people go to the cinema per party. Most frequent cinema goers are aged 15-25. Digital media occupy majority of this statistics lives and the average this demographics goes to cinema is once a month, however the majority of the population goes to the cinema 2.7 times a year.


The competitive jungle

Is the film an event or more specialist if its event then you need to consider the following things. How well did leads do in last films they did? Is the director famous?  Are the cast available for premiere? Is it sequel or franchise?

Is it a contender for academy award, golden globes British academy film? Most awards open between December to February so will many other films also be released around this time, so could it bottleneck due to season?

Distributors need to behave differently however to sell specialist films you have to market it to the subject be it history cars authors places niche groups needed. As well as this early festival screening could generate a small amount of word of mouth enough to get the film recognized.


Satisfying anticipated demand

Saturated release is when a film is released in as many cinemas as possible this is approximately 1000 screens at once playing on multiple screens at multiplexes  This strategy is normally used for "tent-pole" titles such as big franchise sequels and star led holiday releases.

On the other hand Specialist films normally compromising of documentaries, foreign language and revived classics might compromise of 25 prints or fewer most films are released on fewer than 100 prints.  Every film has a detailed marketing plan the objective is to create viability raises awareness and engage interest.


Word of mouth

Social recommendation from a friends, colleagues, or relative can be really important in deciding to visit the cinema.  On the other hand if what is said about the film isn't good it is difficult to recover from.theatrical runs usually last for 6-8 weeks.

Poster

The main artwork is key to selling the film it shows the stars genre credits and tag line to grab the audiences attention. posters appear in quad format ( UK size is 30"x40" landscape) or the one sheet format (USA standard 30"x40" portrait). before this however the might release a teaser poster to gain attention early.

Trailer

Trailers last for approximately 90 seconds. Trailers are created from available material it includes a representative glimpse at most of the dramatic sequences to help sell the film.

Online and mobile

Most films have an official website often hosted by a partner company or social network site.This helps generate awareness of the new film even before shooting begins. As new information is released people discover it and feel like they are part of the film making process.

The Immediacy of social media

Comments are send instantaneously and constantly around the world.places like facebook and twitter have millions of users. A social media profile has become a must for every film.

Broadcast, Ambient and Print media

The UK has approximately 250,000 poster sites by the roadsides and railway platforms. as well a hundreds of TV channels where advertising promotions may be placed.

Event films / Blockbusters with top stars needs heavy advertising spends to support the release however limited budget films try to work up fresh inventive ways to attract their target audience because different audiences react to advertising.

Publicity

Film publicists compile press kits for journalists containing cast and crew lists, biographies, notable facts about the production and a synopsis. Creative talent and filmmakers tend to have very tight schedules and may only be in the UK for a few hours. Many digital channels and outlets are interested in entertainment news and features - the more the films talent is willing and able to support the worldwide publicity effort, the better! A good example of this would be Daniel Radcliffe in the promotion of the "Woman in black".

The build up to the major awards is an important time for publicists promoting the films vying for consideration as this can deliver global profile and prestige.

Set visits: As with any product development, the film production process is conducted confidentially behind studio doors or on armed locations. distributors as well as key journalists, exhibitors or marketing partners may be able to go on set though.

Promotion partnerships

Tie ins generate displays for the film in places where  conventional advertising cannot reach such as shops, restaurants or on food packets. By a promotional partner or a brand with product placement in a film can add weight to the distributors own campaign.

Merchandising
Tie in merchandise can embrace toys, action figures, ring tones, clothing, stationary, calenders, anything films normally have official soundtracks, games, and books.

Premieres and experiences

Painstaking and expensive to organize It serves as an official launch for the film providing a platform for photo opportunities and red carpet interviews. Star studded premieres and after show party's are covered by celebrity publications. There are around 50 film premieres a year.

Experiences are an alternative form for touring that displays presentations at movie conventions idea all these are big but essentially simple.