What kind of media institution might produce your media

product and why?

Evaluation: Part 3

Pathé Films

The reasoning for my choice of distributor, Pathé Films, is because I chose to have a horizontal production cycle. Having knowledge that there isn’t big

conglomerates (film wise) based in the UK. So to maximize funding, choosing horizontal is the best decision for a British produced movie.

Knowing the problems British produced movies have, such as Hollywood monopolizes the film institution, internationally. I could have chosen to have a

major Hollywood institution to conquer all of the production but my genre wouldn't’t as well in America because they cannot relate as much as the

British audience would.

Pathé FilmsA Brief History

Pathé films is a French owned company that was established in 1896, predating Universal Studios and Paramount films.

Owned by four brothers: Charles, Émile, Théophile and Jacques Pathé.

Distribution network

Pathé Films have access to a distribution network through 20th Century Fox and

Warner Brothers; as they’re an independent and autonomously operated sub-division of both companies. Similar

to Sony Classics pictures. Pathé UK distribute their films via 20th Century Fox for home entertainment such as DVDS. Whereas, 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers release the films for cinemas.

So this connection has potential to widening my audience internationally, but having knowledge of audiences my

film has a very niche market. The potential lies with the target audience’s age, teenagers would be able to build a

relationship with the characters involved; as they might be able to relate, despite

the setting that may restrict them.

Adulthood (2008)

Adulthood is part of a “franchise” created by Noel Clarke, in which he stars in. Having a “Coming-of-

age” aspect to it, which you can clearly acknowledge by the names of the movies, “KiDULTHOOD”

“AdULTHOOD” the coming from one place to another; similar to mine. It’s based in the rough areas of

England and is based around drama within teenager’s lives.

Pathé films distributed this in the UK only, it grossed at £1,203,319 on the opening weekend, beating other major Hollywood franchises such as, “The

Incredible Hulk” “Sex And The City” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. It also

won a BAFTA award.

It has a very similar audience to mine, being teenagers, this movie has the conventions of a

Coming Of Age movie: Realism.

It also uses a very audience desirable soundtrack – similar to mine. Using a range of UK grime rappers which the audience would be very familiar with.

Although, Pathé only distributed this movie theatrically whereas I plan to exhibit my movie on

DVD, VOD as well as in cinemas.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Also distributed by Pathé films, in the UK only, this movie has a very similar narrative,

genre and conventions of my movie, “Fixated”.

Having a coming of age storyline which the audience can relate to very heavily. A

desirable soundtrack of its time which was produced into CDs, cassettes and vinyl;

showing potential of multimedia convergence and a synergy for the artists involved.

Unlike mine, this movie had an already pre-sold audience as it was adapted from my novel. So distribution may be more of a

challenge for Pathé. Although this movie had a very high budget of, $6.1 Million it made a

total of $10,409,377.

Pathé

Ultimately, choosing Pathé to be the distributors of my movie because it’s done very successful with similar movies; like Adulthood and The Virgin Suicides. Both having very precise target audience, both seem to equally do as well despite one being British based compared to American.

Especially with The Virgin Suicides, I can still see they have a slight active audience on the internet, despite it being over 15 years old; showing the success Pathé can achieve. This proves that Pathé is one company that will be best suited for a coming-of-age movie.