Distribution

What is distribution?

Distribution (the pig-in-the-middle) is about releasing and sustaining films in the market place. In the UK, distribution is very much focused on marketing and sustaining a global product in local markets. This process is where films are brought to life and connected with an audience in the most profitable and global way possible.


Licensing
This is where the distributor gets the legal rights to exploit the film that has been made. It can take place on 2 levels -

International distribution -
Ensures the film makes it to the 90+ territories around the world.
They might get a sales agent to set up a stall at film markets that run throughout the year - this person will understand the value of the film in many different markets

Local distribution -
Involves the distributor getting the rights to exploit the film in a particular country.
The distributor will pay the licensor a fee to exploit the film, and then the distributor will then be offered the rights to to distribute the film in different ways (eg on TV, in theatres, in cinemas)

Marketing
A film will near enough always be released on a Friday, and will be released at a time when there is no other films that are similar to it being released. Also, they will pick a period of time to show the film when there isnt many releases, therefore giving them more space in newspapers to be reviewed and increasing the chance of people chosing to see that particular film.

Prints/Advertising
Fewer than 10 prints will be sent to independant cinemas - but around 200 will be sent around the UK to all the major towns and cities.
The main way to advertise the film is -
Have press reviews, have trailers broadcasted, use magazines and newspapers, have a press campaign, use the actors/directors to promote the film and the distributor will consider having advanced public screenings to create 'word of mouth'.

Logistics
This is getting the film from place to place - physically distributing the film around the UK in lorries/vans.
The film will be on many 35mm print and each print costs £1000.
Each reel will run for about 20minutes at 24 frames a second.
So a physical film will normally be on 5-6 reels.