Evaluation question 3

Q3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?


A film distributor is an independent company, a subsidiary company or occasionally an individual, which acts as the final agent between a film production company, and a film exhibitor, to the end of securing placement of the producer's film on the exhibitor's screen. In the film business, the term "distribution" refers to the marketing and circulation of movies in theatres, and for home viewing (DVD, Video-On-Demand, Download, Television etc).

The path a film takes to be distributed:
• Someone has an idea for a movie.
• They create an outline and use it to promote interest in the idea.
• A studio or independent investor decides to purchase rights to the film.
• People are brought together to make the film (screenwriter, producer, director, cast, crew).
• The film is completed and sent to the studio.
• The studio makes a licensing agreement with a distribution company.
• The distribution company determines how many copies (prints) of the film to make.
• The distribution company shows the movie (screening) to prospective buyers representing the theaters.
• The buyers negotiate with the distribution company on which movies they wish to lease and the terms of the lease agreement.
• The prints are sent to the theaters a few days before the opening day.
• The theater shows the movie for a specified number of weeks (engagement).
• You buy a ticket and watch the movie.
• At the end of the engagement, the theater sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the lease agreement.


Our film is a low budget, independent film so its very unlikely to attract huge ‘Hollywood’ distribution companies such as 20th Century Fox who distributed ‘Avatar’ in countries such as Germany and Argentina.
There is however some distribution companies which are there especially for independent films in the U.K. such as ‘Dogwoof’ who aim to distribute and support fresh talent from independent film makers just like us.
Another way to distribute our film would be through blogs and websites such as ‘Youtube’ and ‘Facebook’. This is a very good form of distribution for independent films because its free to distribute and also the audience do not have to pay and they are also able to comment and give feedback and hopefully the film will spread through word of mouth.
Film festivals would also be a good way of distribution because they are cheap and normally attract huge audiences. In the U.K there is a film festival called ‘Raindance’ which is just for independent films and takes place in central London. This would be a useful way for our to distribute our