Media Institutions: Film Distribution
A film distributor is a
company or individual responsible for the marketing for a film. These
distributors may set the release date or when the film is available for
viewing, such as theatrically or home viewing. A limited distributor may deal
only with particular products such as DVD’s or Blu-ray, or perhaps act in
particular countries or markets.
Film Distributors control
the marketing and circulation of movies in theatres and also home viewing,
playing a huge part within the success of a film. The film itself is the
biggest factor in whether or not a film is successful, however the distribution
is nearly as important. The distributors decide how much and often the film
should be advertised, such as through TV commercials, on the Internet, within
magazine, posters, trailers (as well as within the cinema), special promos, and
other methods. This is crucial for the film as it gains awareness within the
media and entice the audience to become interested about the product.
The distribution companies
also decide how many theatres the film will be screened in, as well as the
length of time. This gives the film financial support allows the companies to
maximise their revenue, depending on the success of the film.
Film distributors could be
seen as more important for smaller, independent films as they are less known
and need to utilise marketing methods to build awareness of the film. Also, as
these films tend to use new, upcoming actors rather than established ones, it may
be harder to gain an audience as the consumer are expecting big name stars who
they admire or enjoy watching on screen. Film festivals like ‘The London Film
Festivals’ and the ‘Sundance Film Festival’ are so important as it is a common
place where distributors sign films, with smaller films now gaining support and
funding for the marketing of their products.
Maxim Media:
Maxim Media International
is the largest worldwide distributor of independent horror and thriller films.
The library of indie horror, thriller, paranormal, and reality/shock films are
the main focus of the company, especially similar to the area of our film
‘Obsessed’. Founded in 2000 by industry veteran Darrin Ramage, the company has
grown to represent a library of over 300 films. Through the horror film
distribution channels of ‘Maxim Media’, they are able to reach the global
entertainment market and have licensed film rights to nearly all major
territories.
Most, if not all, the films
Maxim Media distribute are from independent or indie film companies, targeting
a niche market rather than mainstream market. They specialise in horror and
thriller films, linking to the genre of ‘Obsessed’, being focused within a
mixture of these genres. Some of the films they have distributed currently include:
‘The Innocent’, ‘Nightmare Asylum’ and ‘Wild Justice’.
‘Obsessed’ may be a
suitable film for this distribution company as it is designed and created to
fit in within a niche audience appose to large mainstream audiences. The use of
camera work and shots, such as POV shots and many tracking shots, give a more
indie outlook that may be successful within a smaller, niche market. The use of
sound is also ambiguous and unique, unlike the generic audio used by large,
established films, allowing the opening sequence we have created to be used
with this distribution company.
Having many international
distribution channels, the company may be able to create DVD’s and Blu-ray
copies of the film, Limited theatrical release (with smaller films perhaps not suitable
for trailers, being a highly competitive market), Worldwide cable, satellite
and Internet video on demand, allowing partnership within cable, hotel, box-top
and other methods of video on demand. The Internet may also be used to allow
audiences to stream, download or to rent the movies. International DVD release
is another method that may be used, having regularly selling DVD rights to
distributors. Some of the companies they are in partnership with include
Netflix, Amazon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, iTunes, Xbox Live, Verizon and
Sony Entertainment.
New Line Film
Productions inc. (New Line Cinema):
New Line Cinema is an
American film studio founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye as a film distribution
company, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary
first of Turner Broadcasting, then Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with its
larger studio Warner Bros in 2008. This company had continued its long and
successful history of producing critically acclaimed hit films that resonate with
both mainstream and niche audiences globally. Throughout its history, New Line
Cinema has created some of the most successful film franchises in history, with
its most popular films including ‘The Mask’, the ‘Austin Powers’ titles, ‘Hairspray’,
‘Rush Hour’, ‘Elf’, ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Wedding Crashers’. New Line became
a unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment in March 2008. The company maintains
separate development, production, marketing, distribution and business
operations, but coordinates those functions with Warner Bros to maximise film
performance and operating efficiencies.
The films produced by this
company are both for niche as well as mainstream audiences, with a well
established marketing, production and distribution reputation, they may be able
to use ‘Obsessed’ within their practises. One of the mainstream hits they had
distributed in the past, that our opening sequence had been based on, is the
film ‘Se7en’. Many similar technique and aspects had been taken from this film
into our own sequence, such as the short clips or props and images throughout
the sequence. With Se7en being a well-established film with much success, it
could be replicated with the ‘Obsessed’ sequence as it has the ability to
target a wider audience, despite using many independent filming techniques.
This film company also does not focus on a particular genre, perhaps a downfall
for the thriller/horror genre movies, however many of its hits were from this
genre, such as the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’,
again allowing the ability to target wider audiences who may have similar
interests.
‘Obsessed’ comes under a
category of horror, thriller and mystery films, perhaps relating to some of the
previous hits distributed by this company. Its independent style may prove a
change to the conventional films of this genre and allow the audience to
experience a different sort of film that may prove successful. Though aspects
had been taken from Se7en, it still remains unique and different with the use
of specialised props, actors and cinematography, yet the similar aspects to the
film allow audiences to relate to the genre of the film. New Line Cinema
distribute a variety of various films, so in some way the genre may not be as
important, their audience is highly diverse with various films accounting for
the different successes for the films that had been distributed. However, being
a large, multi-national firm, they may be suitable to distribute ‘Obsessed’ as
they have experience, funding as well as reputation to distribute the product
and perhaps make it a success.
Supernova Studios:
At the start of our opening
sequence, we created a distribution/production company to create an authentic
feel for the product. ‘Supernova Studios’ could be described as an independent
film distributor, offering products to a niche market. Not being as large as
other companies such as New Line Cinema, it still has the ability to create
awareness for the product. This ‘made up’ company could perhaps reflect those
like Maxim Media, who focus on a smaller niche market rather than large
multinational organisations.
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