What kind of media institution might distribute your media

product and why?

In the opening of our film we included the opening of Universal. We thought Universal studios suited our film genre as we researched other films such as ‘Wild Child’ and found that they were distributed by them. Universal has distributed many films with a similar target audience to our film; children/teenagers. For example, some films they have released recently which our similar to ours are Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids.

Universal is one of the ‘Big Six’ Hollywood studios. Therefore the types of films they release are usually mainstream and can appeal to a wide audience range. This suits our film well as it is a teen ‘chick flick’ type film, and many similar films have been made like this as there is a guaranteed audience and is therefore not a risk for Universal to distribute. Ideally we would have our film produced by universal, however as this is our first film and we have a low budget it is not a realistic goal

If we were to have our film distributed by Universal or another major studio, we could use a saturation release. The film mean girls was released using this strategy. It was released on 30th April 2004 in USA & Canada, then 17/18th June 2004 for most other countries. This way of releasing a film can generate a build up of hype, and can make the release more of an event as everyone is able to watch it at the same time at the cinema.

The teen film High School Musical was distributed slightly differently than other films in this genre. HSM was produced by Disney, and therefore was premiered on Disney Channel, before it was available to watch in the cinema or buy on DVD. This allowed fans of Disney who already watch the channel be able to watch the film for free, which guaranteed Disney a wide audience, and as this was the first film in the trilogy, it was more of a risk therefore showing it on tv first for free would be a better idea for first time film makers such as ourselves, rather than putting it straight into a cinema as people are less likely to pay to watch something they have never heard about before or there is a new/unknown film maker.

One way that small films in the UK can be supported is by the BFI Film Fund. They can fund the development and production of the film, and have a focus on emerging and first time directors and filmmakers, who are creating a film on a low budget (under £2,000,000). This would be an option for our film as we have a low budget and it is our first feature film we have produced.

Completion funding can also be given by the BFI, if your film is launched at a film festival.

The Watersprite Film Festival is a film festival specifically for students. Many different awards are given including genre-based awards and accolades for technical skills. All of the prizes are opportunities that will help career development such as production mentorship, lighting academy courses, and exclusive loans of filming equipment. This would benefit us as we are beginners and it provides opportunities for our film be recognised, and will help us to continue making films in the future.