Distribution

• 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.