Distribution methodsBy Bailee Brooks

What is distribution?•Distribution is the method of getting the

productions the institutions create into the cinema. Distribution occurs post production however prior to exchange, this creates a bridge between the gap of the creation of a film and the audience consuming the product. This is considered the most important part of the film industry. Distribution is the connection between producers and the audience, it sustained the release of the film within the film industry.

Cinema• Cinema is probably the most popular way of

distributing a film. When a new film is released it is usually sent straight to cinema’s to show as that’s where audiences know to watch the new releases.

Pro’s Con’s

Audiences know this is where the film will usually be released. Audiences trust the cinema.

Cinema’s are usually expensive for audiences- could mean they’re less likely to go

Reaches a wider target audience than a film festival etc.

Usually requires a formal connection between cinema’s ad distribution companies

Usually generates a high income for the box office

Not preferred by all audience's members.

Film festivals• Another way for particularly independent film institutions to

get their film into cinema’s is via film festivals. This is when institutions show their films and distribution companies can chose to buy films and sell them to cinema’s.

Pro’s Con’sIndependent film companies are more likely to get their films distributed than via other methods such as cinema.

May not reach a wide audience as many do not attend film festivals

Allows personal relationship to be built amongst audiences and film makers (uses and gratifications theory)

Your film may not get distributed

Online streaming• Online streaming is a very easy accessible way to distribute a

film due to convergence. Audiences can access films through different platforms on one device such a phone or tablet.

Pro’s Con’sEasily accessible to viewers Not all viewers would have access to

the internet/online sitesViewers can watch the film in the comfort of their own home

Generally requires a subscription to watch films via this method of distribution

No interruptions online streaming sites are generally ad free Usually cheaper than DVD’s

Social media • Social media is very popular through out society due to

technological convergence. You can access all your social media sites on tablets, phones, computers etc. it’s a way to share thing you find interesting and for others to interact with you.

Pro’s Con’sEasily accessible to all embers that have social media

Not all audience members will have internet they can access/use social media

Can be used to target specific target audiences (for example younger people are more likely to be involved with apps such as twitter and Facebook etc.)

No guarantee your production will go viral and get the attention you desired

Films gain recognition quickly through social convergence (sharing or making a media text go viral)

risk of your production going viral for the wrong reasons.

Content is generally free to upload- accessible to independent film makers

DVD • DVD’s are an easy ay for audiences to find movies and

access them in everyday places such as the local supermarket. They can be sold on shelves and are usually released prior to the cinema release.

Pro’s Con’sEasily accessible to audiences DVD’s are usually expensive for

people to buyGives more control to the viewers, i.e. they can control when and where they watch the film

There’s a risk of the consumer buying the product and disliking it.

Audience members can re watch the film as many times as they want

Marketing•Another aspect of film distribution is

marketing. This allows audiences to become aware of the media product and make them more likely to create an opinion of whether they want to see it or. The aim of marketing is so entice audiences and make them want to buy into viewing the product creating profit for the institution company. Without marketing it would be harder to gain income as people may not know about your media text and will not consume it.

Social mediaPro’s Con’s• Your marketing product is

more likely to go viral as many people now have social media

• Can easily target your audiences via different platforms

• Not everyone has access to social media or the internet

• Your production could go viral for the wrong reasons

Cinema Pro’s Con’s• Can target specific audiences.

E.g. if you were to show a horror film trailer within a horror film you are appealing to an audience that likes the horror genre meaning they are more likely to go and see it.

• If shown prior to another movie audiences are forced to watch the trailer meaning they will be aware of your production.

• Not everyone visits a cinema therefore showing that not all audiences that enjoy films such as your own will see the trailers

• It would be expensive to market your film within the cinema as many institution companies are competing to show their trailer.

TV adverts Pro’s Con’s• Audiences are usually

forced to watch the trailer as they would be in the cinema

• Can appeal to a wide range of people

• Not everyone watches television so they may miss your production trailer.

• It may be expensive to show your trailer within TV adverts

Star appeal Pro’s Con’s• Use of star appeal will

attract their fan base to watch the film creating a higher box office profit

• The cast can do interviews to boost the recognition of the film and interest a wider audience

• Star appeal may have the opposite effect on the public as the audience may not like them within specific films or genres etc.

• Not everyone will care enough to read/watch/listen interviews resulting in a lack of public knowledge of the film

PostersPro’s Con’s• Posters can be shown

anywhere through the public meaning people may pay attention to them without even realising

• People are certain locations are more likely to view your poster e.g. billboards are usually noticed when stuck in traffic, bus users will often see posters at their bus stop.

• Not everyone will pay attention to your poster, they may not take notice of it.

• People may not gather all the information they need from a poster causing them to lose interest.

SponsorsPro’s Con’s• If people like the

person/product you include they may be more likely to see your film

• May not be as expensive as methods such as television adverts

• Some people may not pay attention to what the sponsor is displaying, they may only care about the product

• People may be less likely to watch the film and more likely to buy the product

Merchandise Pro’s Con’s• Not only does it promote

your film it also influences people to buy your product, could be given away in competitions and prizes etc.

• Allows others to promote your film e.g. if someone is wearing a t shirt with your brand they may be interested and research your film

• People may be less likely to buy the merchandise if the film is poor quality etc.

• Some may not like the style of the merchandise

Publicity stunts Pro’s Con’s• Good way of actively

getting people involved with your production

• May be covered by journalists and posted in magazines or newspapers meaning many will see your film advertised

• Can have a negative backlash for example if someone gets hurt/offended

Overall… • So overall we can see distribution and marketing play a large part in

how audiences chose to view the production, without distribution or marketing we would lack knowledge of films as well as not be able to see them in our preferred way e.g. some may like cinema and others may like online streaming.

• I find that for my production I will use Cinema to distribute my film as that is where majority of people will look when they see a new film. Film festivals would also be useful as it allows people to view your film and get picked up by other distributors and perhaps gaining your production a high popularity if the distributer is popular.

• For marketing I will use traditional method such as cinema adverts, as they allow you to target audiences watching certain films that may relate to yours. I will also use posters, TV adverts and interviews with cat as it will attract a wider audience and multiple people will see the advertisements.