Film Distribution

Distribution of Films
Distribution in simple terms means marketing, duplication and getting the film into cinemas. That is what film distributor job is, he also has the job of finding out who will want to see the films, why they would see this movie and how they would present it to the audience. Distributors mainly bring films into the movie market place for us to see and pay for.
For blockbuster films Warner Bros, Sony, 21st Century Fox, MGM and Disney are the big distributors in the market. However, small independent film companies buy films at film festivals. Lionsgate, Momentum and Metrodome are just a sample of independent film companies.

Distributors decide a lot of things on a film, its merchandizing (games, soundtracks, etc.) and its USP or unique selling point that would hook the audience to watch this particular movie. Secondly they must be very clear about their target audience. The main largest is 15 to 24 year olds. Distributors do this because they need to get the largest audience possible so that they can make the largest profit possible.
Distributors must also decide when to release a film (for example a horror movie would be released on the 1st of October or the 31st). After that research must be done, distributors show audiences drafts of the movie and fill in forms for feedback.
Budget becomes an issue afterwards, were distributors need to decide how much they are spending on marketing so it doesn’t overweigh the profit on how much a film makes. Advertising is paid for but a good thing about publicity is that it’s free. Magazines can write articles on the films and also reviews and distributors give some audience member’s free advanced previews.

Distributors must also choose what media format will be best to get the best possible audience. Marketing campaigns need to be unique from others. Campaigns can be broken down into three things:
• Trailers, Posters, Mobiles
• Internet, Radio, TV Spots
• Outdoor Advertising, Billboard signs
This type needs to be synergistic which means to have the same identify as everybody else. Posters are the first element of the campaign. Trailers come second and this happens to be the most important key to a film’s success. Teaser trailers are first and main trailers second. Trailers don’t need to be voiced-over but sometimes it is necessary. TV spots come later in the day and they last for a short of 15 to 30 seconds. Multi-media are the most powerful source of the campaign, since the internet is a powerful tool.
PR and press provide free editorial space in magazines and newspapers which also provide reviews and critics, those distributors have no control over at all.
Distributors need to track how effective there marketing is, 4 weeks out is the most usual and by that time audiences need to be aware of the film that is out. Word of mouth is powerful as well, as previews will allow audiences to tell their friends about the movie.
The most critical part of a distributor’s job is the opening weekend and it is here that the film has to be successful or be a flop.