- A specialised film will typically have less then 10 prints.
- Distribution is the third part of the film supply chain.
- Distribution is often referred to as 'the invisible art', a process known to those only in the industry.
- When discussing distribution, vertical integration means where the three stages (production, distribution and exhibition) are seen as one large process, under the control of the film company
- Vertical integration isn't so common in the independent sector because producers tend to not have long term economic links with distributers, who likewise have no formal connections with exhibiters.
- The three stages involved in the independent sector are: licensing, marketing and logistics.
- Licensing is the process by which a distributer requires the legal rights to exploit a film.
- The two levels of licensing are international distribution and local distribution
- The advantages of being a major US studio are that they have their own distribution offices in all major territories.
- The three different types of rights that you can acquire at a local level are: Theatrical rights (showing the film in cinemas), Video rights (for video and dvd exploitation) and TV rights.
- Royalties are taken from the profit that the film makes. Usually a local distributer will conventionally share profits equally with the producer for the theatrical leg, pay back higher royalties for broadcast rights, and lower for video/DVD.
- The most effective way to increase interest in a film is to release a film in a theatrical way (in cinema) so that the film creates interest.
- It takes two years after the opening in cinemas to come out on 'free to air TV'
- The two key questions surrounding the marketing of a film are; when? and how?
- Films are typically released on a Friday
- Before releasing a film on a Friday the distributer will look at a schedule of other film releases on that day.
- A 'light week' in terms of distribution means that there won't be a load of films on at the same time, ensuring screen space and adequate review column inches in the press allocated to any new release.
- To position a film distinctively means to avoid releasing the film around the same time when a film with similar traits is to be released.
- This has become increasingly difficult in the UK due to the release schedule featuring over 10 new releases each week.
- P&A are Prints and Advertising.
- P&A can range from £1,000 to over £1 million for a release of a film in the UK.
- A mainstream film will have over 200 prints.
- A key factor for developing a profile for a film is press response.
- Awareness of a film can also be raised by advertising in magazines/news papers and cinema posters.
- It is risky to release a film in the UK because the print cost is very high.
- Companies are looking towards viral marketing because it is the easiest and cheapest way of marketing.
- The benefits of a talent visit is to get editorial coverage to support a release
In the pre digital film age what was a distributor responsible for?
- The average cost of a 35mm print, including delivery to a cinema, is around £1,000.
- In a future print there are usually 5-6 reals
- 35mm prints tend to get damaged because of the amount of times they are used in different projectors.
- Prints are usually stored at the UK's central print warehouse in West London.
- A theatrical release usually lasting up to 6 months.
- Digital distribution in the UK started towards the end of 2005.
- Digital distribution is more cost effective. It is also less stressful to send films as computer files to cinemas across the UK.
- China and Brazil where the first countries to adopt digital distribution.
- 2005 the UK Film Council Digital Screen Network launched in the UK by Arts Alliance Media creating a chain of 250 2K digital cinema systems
Why has digital distribution radically altered the operating model of distributors?
- Films are now available to pre order as the film is still in the cinemas.
- A loss leader is a strategy where a product is sold at a price below its market cost to stimulate other sales of more profitable goods or services.
No comments:
Post a Comment