INDEPENDENT CINEMA RESEARCH

TASK 1

• Production – Consists of 5 stages: Development, Packaging, Preproduction, Principal photography and post production. (How you make it.)

• Distribution – The process of commercially exploiting a motion picture and they can come from many different sources: Theatrical distribution, nontheatrical distribution, video gram distribution, online distribution, streaming, pay television networks, delivery services and non pay television. (How you get money out of it)

• Exhibition – How the audience view the film. • Independent cinema – Any movie that was funded with less than 50% of money

that came from one of the ‘big six’ major studios which are Columbia pictures, 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney pictures/Touchstone pictures, Warner Bros. pictures, paramount pictures and Universal studios. Independent films are often made with a very small budget and there is more emphasis on things such as character development and controversial story lines. Usually more artistic films and there aren’t very big releases because there isn’t much advertising.

• Mainstream cinema – Films that are made by the ‘big six’ major studios. They have a big release, a big budget and often have red carpet events. The advertising is also on a large scale because they can afford to use billboards and have trailers on tv.

TASK 2 - PRODUCTION

Independent production companies: • Archers mark• Scenario films• Coffee films• Aardman animations

Mainstream production companies: • 20th Century Fox• Walt Disney productions• Paramount pictures• Warner Bros.

TASK 3

How do Independent Production Companies fund their projects?

There are several ways independent production companies can fund their projects. Firstly, there are national and regional screening agencies however they are currently under construction. Secondly, there are local councils who will often put money towards a short filmmaking initiative especially if it aids the local community. A number of charities have also been set up to fund short films. From time to time there are various schemes set up by organisations like the BBC that will help you create a short film. Finally, there is a completion fund that offer financial support to filmmakers in their final stages.

TASK 4 - DISTRIBUTION

What is the importance of film festivals?Film festivals provide an audience for independent films as they aren’t screened in cinemas very often. It also exposes your film to promoters, distributors and buyers.What are the advantages of self distribution?•You can retain full rights over your film so it is up to you where it is screened.•You don’t have to give a cut of the money made from the film or any sales to a distributor.Online DistributionSome film companies claim to be making profits by distributing their films online on various websites. Two examples of these website are: www.distrify.com and www.site.dynamoplayer.com ScreeningsScreening is a distribution method. There are two types: Theatrical (showing it to a paying audience ie. Cinema) and Non – theatrical (showing it to a free audience ie. Public place)

TASK 5 - EXHIBITION

How can you exhibit independent films?• Film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca • Online (Websites) – everyone on the internet can

access it so there is a large audience

Both ways of exhibiting are good for film exposure and an audience.

TASK 6 – MAINSTREAM FILMS

Kill Bill• Produced by Miramax Films, Super Cool Manchu and A Band Apart.• Distributed by Miramax Films. (International distributors: RCV film distribution,

Nordisk film and Buena Vista International.)• Exhibited in cinemas.

Bourne Identity• Produced by Universal, Kennedy/Marshall, Hypnotic, Kalima Productions and Stillking

film.• Distributed by Universal Studios. (International distributors: United International

Pictures and Sony Pictures.)• Exhibited in cinemas.

Casino Royale• Produced by Columbia productions, Eon productions and Stillking productions.• Distributed by Sony pictures entertainment worldwide.• Exhibited in cinemas.

Memento• Produced by Summit Entertainment, Team Todd, I remember productions and New

Market Capital Group.• Distributed by New Market Films (USA) and Pathe Distribution (UK)• Exhibited in cinemas.

TASK 7 – INDEPENDENT FILMS

Reservoir Dogs• Produced by Live entertainment and dog eat dog productions.• Distributed by Miramax films (USA) and Rank Film organisation (UK) • Exhibited at Sundance film festival and then released in 19 cinemas (USA)

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy• Produced by Studio Canal• Distributed by Studio Canal (International distributors: Top film

distribution, Entertainment one and focus features)• Exhibited at Venice international film festival and then released in

cinemas.

Breaking and Entering• Produced by Miramax films and Mirage enterprises.• Distributed by The Weinstein Company (USA) and Miramax films

(Worldwide)• Exhibited at Toronto international film festival and then released in

cinemas.

TASK 8 – MY INDEPENDENT FILM

My film will be produced by me and it will be self distributed. It will be exhibited it online.

Becky Wragg