Distribution: Independent film distributors

10 Steps of Film Distribution

1) Audiences can be inspired by films in many different ways, due to it being a real life story, a fantasy, a historical figure or even a moment in time. Films are a way for audiences to find a way of escaping reality through different genres. May it be through comedy, horror, sci-fi, thriller etc. Films have the power to influence/inspire to help people express what they want to say. 


2) Films have the capacity of being able to enrich any aspect of our lives. They are able to influence the games we enjoy, the music we play, and they inspire the fashions and advertising images that are around us. Furthermore, films impact us both commercially and socially but only to the extent of connecting with the audiences. It is the task of distributors to identify and deliver the largest possible audience for every film. In addition, tailor-made, audience-focused distribution is, and will remain, vital to the prospects of individual films, and to the industry as a whole, whatever the medium or format in question. 

3) The distributor’s challenge is to bring each one to market by:

• identifying it's audience
• considering why they’d go and see it 
• estimating the revenue potential across all the formats of its release 
• persuading exhibitors (cinema operators) to play the film 
• developing plans and partnerships to build awareness of and interest in the film 
• aiming to convert as much interest as possible into cinema visits

4) The UK has 6 major distributors and many independent distributors, who tend to make films outside the major studios.

5) Larger studios may often work with major producers, and get ‘first look’ deals on the films they want to produce, and particularly with big budget blockbusters, a studio will sell off the international rights to another major international distributor. Distributors normally look for distinguishable features in order for the film to sell and become a success. Sometimes, distributors tend to launch films at big events, such as international festivals where critics will discover them. 

6) Distributors sign a formal contract with the producer, sales agent or studio, specifying the rights they hold in respect of the title. These normally include the right to release it in UK cinemas and promote it in all media before and during its release.

7) A distribution plan needs to be prepared.

8) Distributors have to make many important decisions during the process of releasing a film, for example when and how to release a film in order to optimise its chances. When distributors have estimated what a film may earn, they prepare a budget to release it. As with every business plan, the goal is to recoup the costs and turn a profit.

9) A distributors job is to create visibility and to raise enough awareness and interest in a film to persuade potential audiences to buy tickets to go and see it at the nearest cinema.The marketing plan – produced to complement the overall distribution plan – is designed to navigate a route to market that allows interest to peak as the film opens in cinemas. 

10) The last step of film distribution is making sure everything is protected and licensed in prevention of anyone trying to make copies. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 

Distributor: Focus Features 

Budget: $20 million

Box Office: $72.3 million

Donnie Darko-

Distributor: Pandora Cinema and Newmarket Films

Budget: $3.8 million

Box Office: $5 million

Boyhood-

Distributor: IFC Productions 

Budget:$2.4 million

Box Office: $4 million

Curzon Artificial Eye-  was founded in 1976 are the UK's leading independent film distributors. They specialise mainly in foreign and art house films. Since 2006 Curzon Artificial Eye have been a part of Curzon World. 

                                                         Kiss of the Spider Woman

This trailer is very film noir, the non-diegetic music is parallel to this. The low-key lighting stood out the most for me, and its's something that we could consider for our production. 

Still Alice 

This trailer has many different shots, it has long shots which we could definitely use in our production. This trailer has shown me that it's important to have a strong story line in order to captivate your audiences.