Film Distibution Questions

Film Distibution Questions
1. How does a film make money for the studio?
A film can make money in a variety of ways. They can recieve a govrnment grant that is given to encourage new talent, they can recieve money from the UK film council, use tax schemes and shelter, as well as use pre sales, which is the most common method.
2. Where does the money come from?
The money can be made from selling deifferent merchandies, such as soundtrack albums, posters, leaflets and t-shirts, as well as synergy's with other companies, such as mcdonalds, to sell more merchandise
3. Who decides to produce a film?
The person whon came up with the idea of the film is the producer, and makes all the final desicions, such as release date and everything. He then hires directors and cinematographers to make the film.
4. Where does the money to make a film come from?
The money will normally come from some sort of invester, who offeres to pay all or part of the films budgeting. Its better to have more investors, that way if one pulls out, then you still have some money left over.
5. Identify different ways that are possible?
- Governement Grants
- UK film Council
- Tax Schemes/Shelters
- Pre Sales
6. What was the relationship between studios and cinemas in the 1930's/40's?
The production process, as well as marketing and distribution, was just beggining to be used.
7. How has that changed and when?
This then changed in 1959 when technology improved amking it easier and faster to produce films.
8. How do studios make money from Video and DVD sales? What rules govern DVD rentals?
By using Video and DVD sales, the film company promotes their film with viral marketing and encourage more and more people to see the film. With rentals, precautions are taken to ensure that privacy, copyrights and minimum age is provided.
9. What ways does a studio have of making sure that a film is profitable?
By planning out their maximum budget, studios can ensure that they dont overspend the money on things like special effects and other things. If they overspend, then they are less likely to have a profit on the film.
10. What other ways does a studio have of making money?
Studios can advertise their film in all kinds of media, ensureing that everyone hears about the film and, hopefully, make them want to see the film. The more people that see the film, the bigger the profit of the film.

My Personal Experience with Types of Marketing

- TV adverts
- Trailers before the film starts
- Texts from mobile network
- Reviews
- Film Programmes
- Word of Mouth
- Websites / Pop-ups
- Posters and Billboards
- Emails from sites joined
- Interviews with cast, filming staff, director etc.

Successful and Unsuccessful Films

Successful Films:
- Avatar
- Harry Potter
- Star Wars
- Lord of the rings
- Resident Evil
- James Bond
- Blade
- Toy Story
- Love actually

Unsuccessful films:
- Greenzone

What makes a film successful?
- Star Persona
- Money/budgeting
- Subject/genre
- 4 quadrant audience
- Tag onto success of a book/video game made before the film, that the film is based on
- Technology used
- Synergy (2 companies working together)

Distribution and Marketing Topics

- Introduction
- Logistics
- 35mm to digital (DSN sites)
- Release dates / Blanket release
- Marketing / Advertising
- Synergy
- Merchandise / Soundtracks
- Viral (Word of mouth etc.)
- New Technology
- Festivals / Awards
- Opening weekends / Premiers
- Quotes from the industry
- Verticle / Horizontal