What Kind of Media Institution Might What Kind of Media Institution Might Distribute yourDistribute your Media Product andMedia Product and Why?Why?Jack SimmonsJack Simmons

What are Distribution What are Distribution Companies?Companies?

Distribution Companies are a very important part of Distribution Companies are a very important part of the film industry and are worth a lot of money. Often the film industry and are worth a lot of money. Often you see big Hollywood companies setting up/ buying you see big Hollywood companies setting up/ buying distribution companies; this is called vertical distribution companies; this is called vertical integration and allows them to retain profit within the integration and allows them to retain profit within the company. The job of a distribution company is mainly company. The job of a distribution company is mainly to do with P&A (printing and advertising) but also to to do with P&A (printing and advertising) but also to physically distribute the movies to theatres. Its easier physically distribute the movies to theatres. Its easier to distribute digitally as there is no cost involved to distribute digitally as there is no cost involved whereas it will cost £1000 to distribute a film reel to a whereas it will cost £1000 to distribute a film reel to a theatre with analogue technology.theatre with analogue technology.

P&A...P&A...P&A is a very important process, it really is the make or break of a films P&A is a very important process, it really is the make or break of a films success. For example John Carter flopped at the box office. Experts put success. For example John Carter flopped at the box office. Experts put it down to a substandard advertising campaign where they kept it down to a substandard advertising campaign where they kept changing the name. changing the name.

Good examples of traditional P&A are posters, billboards and Good examples of traditional P&A are posters, billboards and newspaper advertsnewspaper adverts

Good examples of viral marketing are using social networks such as Good examples of viral marketing are using social networks such as facebook, google + and twitter to spread awareness. It is also much facebook, google + and twitter to spread awareness. It is also much cheaper than traditional methods. Recently Warner Bros. started a cheaper than traditional methods. Recently Warner Bros. started a successful viral marketing campaign for ‘The Dark Knight’. They successful viral marketing campaign for ‘The Dark Knight’. They created a website made up of tiles, every time someone shared the created a website made up of tiles, every time someone shared the website a tile would flip over to reveal part of a picture. This built up website a tile would flip over to reveal part of a picture. This built up anticipation for the films release.anticipation for the films release.

Moving on…Moving on…

Lets take a look at a few Lets take a look at a few different distribution companies different distribution companies to see which one would be to see which one would be most suitable for my movie.most suitable for my movie.

Warner Bros. [GB]Warner Bros. [GB]

Warner Bros. [GB] is a subsidiary company of Warner Warner Bros. [GB] is a subsidiary company of Warner Bros. Entertainments and is their main UK distribution Bros. Entertainments and is their main UK distribution company. It has been responsible for advertising and company. It has been responsible for advertising and distributing some of the most prolific WB movies of distributing some of the most prolific WB movies of the past decade such as the ones on the next few the past decade such as the ones on the next few slides.slides.

Click Here to View Warner Bros. [GB] Distributed Movies

Click Here to See an Overview of The Warner Bros. Company

Harry Potter and the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Deathly Hallows: Part 22

This movie was released in July This movie was released in July 2011. It had an estimated budget of 2011. It had an estimated budget of $125 million and made just under $125 million and made just under $170 million on its opening weekend $170 million on its opening weekend in the USA alone. It was released in in the USA alone. It was released in 2D theatres as well as 3D and imax 2D theatres as well as 3D and imax theatres. This was used to maximise theatres. This was used to maximise profit and draw in a wider audience. profit and draw in a wider audience. As of December 2011 the film had As of December 2011 the film had grossed a total of $1,328,111,219 grossed a total of $1,328,111,219 worldwide. It was produced by worldwide. It was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures using their Warner Bros. Pictures using their own Warner Bros. [GB] distribution own Warner Bros. [GB] distribution company as described before to company as described before to keep the profits within the company. keep the profits within the company.

The Dark KnightThe Dark KnightThis movie was released in July This movie was released in July 2008. It had an estimated budget of 2008. It had an estimated budget of $185 million and made just under $185 million and made just under $160 million on its opening weekend $160 million on its opening weekend showing on over 4000 screens in the showing on over 4000 screens in the USA alone. In December 2010 the USA alone. In December 2010 the film had grossed a total of film had grossed a total of $1,001,921,825 worldwide. Again it $1,001,921,825 worldwide. Again it was produced by Warner Bros. was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures using their own Warner Pictures using their own Warner Bros. [GB] distribution company. The Bros. [GB] distribution company. The Dark Knight attracted its audience Dark Knight attracted its audience with some big names such as with some big names such as Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Heath Ledger.Heath Ledger.

Is it Suitable for my movie?Is it Suitable for my movie?No, Warner Bros. [GB] is not suitable No, Warner Bros. [GB] is not suitable to distribute my movie because it is to distribute my movie because it is used to distribute big budget movies used to distribute big budget movies like the examples shown in the previous like the examples shown in the previous slides. My film would simply not be slides. My film would simply not be considered by the company as they considered by the company as they always look to distribute movies which have some always look to distribute movies which have some star power behind them along with a big budget. star power behind them along with a big budget.

Lionsgate EntertainmentLionsgate Entertainment

Lionsgate entertainment was founded in Canada in Lionsgate entertainment was founded in Canada in 1997 as Lionsgate Films by Frank Giustra. Since then 1997 as Lionsgate Films by Frank Giustra. Since then it has grown into a big name in the film industry and it has grown into a big name in the film industry and has acquired several other companies in the process. has acquired several other companies in the process. One of these companies is Momentum Pictures in the One of these companies is Momentum Pictures in the year 2000; this is now run by Alliance Films year 2000; this is now run by Alliance Films (Lionsgate’s main distributor in Canada). Lionsgate (Lionsgate’s main distributor in Canada). Lionsgate seems to have a good reputation for distributing seems to have a good reputation for distributing horror movies.horror movies.

Click Here to See Lionsgate Entertanments Company Overview

Momentum Pictures (UK)Momentum Pictures (UK)

Owned by Lions Gate Entertainment and run by Owned by Lions Gate Entertainment and run by Alliance films; momentum pictures is one of two Alliance films; momentum pictures is one of two distributors for Lionsgate Entertainment in the UK distributors for Lionsgate Entertainment in the UK along with Lions gate UK. Momentum has been used along with Lions gate UK. Momentum has been used for distributing not only big budget hollywood movies for distributing not only big budget hollywood movies but also lower budget movies.but also lower budget movies.

Click Here to See a List of Movies that Momentum Pictures has Distributed

Saw IISaw IIThis movie was released in October This movie was released in October 2005 and distributed by lionsgate films. I 2005 and distributed by lionsgate films. I think the fact that they released it in think the fact that they released it in October shows the quality of the film October shows the quality of the film company as they timed the released to company as they timed the released to coincide with halloween. It had a budget coincide with halloween. It had a budget of just $4 million which shows how good of just $4 million which shows how good lionsgate are with smaller movies. As lionsgate are with smaller movies. As expected it did really well on its opening expected it did really well on its opening weekend making about $32 million; this weekend making about $32 million; this was a massive amount of money, 8 was a massive amount of money, 8 times the budget of the movie. Since times the budget of the movie. Since then it has made $147,739,965. Its easy then it has made $147,739,965. Its easy to see why Lionsgate chose to stick with to see why Lionsgate chose to stick with the Saw franchise making a total of 7 the Saw franchise making a total of 7 movies all together ending with Saw 3D.movies all together ending with Saw 3D.

FrozenFrozenFrozen was released in February Frozen was released in February 2012 and was distributed by 2012 and was distributed by momentum pictures. In its opening momentum pictures. In its opening weekend it made a small amount weekend it made a small amount of money; only $130,000. of money; only $130,000. Compare this to other movies and Compare this to other movies and this doesn’t even make a dent in this doesn’t even make a dent in some of their opening weekend some of their opening weekend totals. To date the movie has only totals. To date the movie has only grossed $250,000. This shows that grossed $250,000. This shows that momentum pictures are not only momentum pictures are not only interested in big budget interested in big budget productions but also give very low productions but also give very low budget movies a chance to make budget movies a chance to make some money.some money.

Are they Suitable for my Are they Suitable for my movie?movie?

Lionsgate entertainment is not a Lionsgate entertainment is not a suitable company to distribute my suitable company to distribute my movie because they focus too much movie because they focus too much on medium to big budget movies on medium to big budget movies whereas I need a company that can whereas I need a company that can focus mostly on independent films. focus mostly on independent films. However Momentum Pictures did show promise with However Momentum Pictures did show promise with Frozen; this is a very low budget movie and it seems Frozen; this is a very low budget movie and it seems that most Lionsgate companies like to distribute the that most Lionsgate companies like to distribute the horror genre. Another recent example is Insidious, horror genre. Another recent example is Insidious, this was distributed by Alliance.this was distributed by Alliance.

Fox SearchlightFox Searchlight

Fox Searchlight is a subsiduary company to 20th Fox Searchlight is a subsiduary company to 20th Century Fox and was founded in California in 1994. Century Fox and was founded in California in 1994. Since being founded Fox Searchlight Pictures has Since being founded Fox Searchlight Pictures has been responible for many movies with fairly low been responible for many movies with fairly low budgets as it specialises in British and independent budgets as it specialises in British and independent films. Recently it distributed the movie ‘Another Earth’ films. Recently it distributed the movie ‘Another Earth’ which only had a small budget of $200,000 .which only had a small budget of $200,000 .

Here is a Link to Fox Searchlight’s Website

Click to See all of the Movies Searchlight has Distributed

Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire was Slumdog Millionaire was released in January 2009. It released in January 2009. It was an independent movie was an independent movie with a budget of $15 million with a budget of $15 million and on its opening weekend it and on its opening weekend it was shown at only 10 screens was shown at only 10 screens making $360,000. Since then making $360,000. Since then it has grown rapidly in it has grown rapidly in popularity and has grossed a popularity and has grossed a total profit of just over $140 total profit of just over $140 million making it one of million making it one of searchlights most successful searchlights most successful movies.movies.

127 Hours127 HoursThis movie was released in January This movie was released in January 2011 and was given an approximate 2011 and was given an approximate budget of $18 million to make the budget of $18 million to make the film. On the opening weekend the film. On the opening weekend the movie only showed on 4 screens but movie only showed on 4 screens but amazingly made just over $260,000 amazingly made just over $260,000 from that. Since then it has made a from that. Since then it has made a total of about $57 million. I think that total of about $57 million. I think that Searchlight might have been Searchlight might have been disappointed in this movie; especially disappointed in this movie; especially as it was advertised ‘from the director as it was advertised ‘from the director of Slumdog Millionaire’. It didnt make of Slumdog Millionaire’. It didnt make as much money but it does show as much money but it does show Fox’s commitment to supporting Fox’s commitment to supporting smaller movies.smaller movies.

Is it Suitable for my movie?Is it Suitable for my movie?

Fox Searchlight is a very good Fox Searchlight is a very good candidate to distribute my film candidate to distribute my film especially as it specialises in especially as it specialises in distributing small budget distributing small budget independent British films with great independent British films with great success. The examples I have given success. The examples I have given prove their commitment and accomplishment with prove their commitment and accomplishment with independent movies.independent movies.

Entertainment Film DistributorsEntertainment Film Distributors

Entertainment is a true independent film distribution Entertainment is a true independent film distribution company with some real history. It was founded in company with some real history. It was founded in London in 1978 by Nigel Green and has been London in 1978 by Nigel Green and has been involved with distributing some of the countries ‘most involved with distributing some of the countries ‘most british’ movies such as the recent Inbetweeners british’ movies such as the recent Inbetweeners Movie.Movie.

Take a look at their website

Here’s a List of their MoviesHere’s a List of their Movies

The ArtistThe ArtistThe artist is a French/Belgian The artist is a French/Belgian movie. It showed at 24 screens on movie. It showed at 24 screens on its opening weekend in belgium its opening weekend in belgium but only made €60,000 despite its but only made €60,000 despite its $15 million budget. Since then the $15 million budget. Since then the world caught a glimpse of the world caught a glimpse of the movie making it popular movie making it popular worldwide, hence it had now worldwide, hence it had now grossed a total of $43 million. I grossed a total of $43 million. I think this was so successful think this was so successful because it was a silent movie. It because it was a silent movie. It was ‘artistic’ and made in such a was ‘artistic’ and made in such a way that any nation could watch it way that any nation could watch it with ease.with ease.

The Final DestinationThe Final DestinationEntertainment Film Distributors Entertainment Film Distributors distributed ‘The Final Destination’ distributed ‘The Final Destination’ as well as the whole ‘Final as well as the whole ‘Final Destination’ Franchise. Other Destination’ Franchise. Other horror movies distributed by horror movies distributed by Entertainment include The Texas Entertainment include The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween II, Freddy vs. Jason and many II, Freddy vs. Jason and many more. The Final Destination was more. The Final Destination was released in August 2009 with a released in August 2009 with a budget of $43 million. It inly made budget of $43 million. It inly made $27 million on its opening $27 million on its opening weekend but as of now it has weekend but as of now it has grossed a total of $66 million.grossed a total of $66 million.

Is it Suitable for my movie?Is it Suitable for my movie?

Simply, Yes. Entertainment Film Simply, Yes. Entertainment Film Distributors is a perfect company Distributors is a perfect company to distribute my movie, they to distribute my movie, they already have an extensive already have an extensive repertoire of horror movies that repertoire of horror movies that they have distributed with great they have distributed with great success and they are based in success and they are based in the UK. As it says on their the UK. As it says on their website they are the Uk’s leading website they are the Uk’s leading independent film distributor.independent film distributor.

ConclusionConclusion

I think that the obvious company to distribute my I think that the obvious company to distribute my movie would be Entertainment Film Distributors this is movie would be Entertainment Film Distributors this is because they are a UK based company, they because they are a UK based company, they specialise in independent films and they have a good specialise in independent films and they have a good reputation for distributing horror movies. I think they reputation for distributing horror movies. I think they would be perfect for my movie and help it go a long would be perfect for my movie and help it go a long way.way.