Distribution

Licensing - Licensing is granting permission to others to use property rights, such as trademarks, patents or technology under certain conditions. Most licenses state that distributers must pay “royalties” to the director every time a film is played, or every time a song is played ect. This means that the director will get a cut of the money made, when the film is broadcast each time.

A fee is charge to a get a license, which allows the user to release the films and exploit it in different countries. If the broadcaster sells the film to a broadcaster, like sky ect, then they are offered theatrical rights. Small independent film institutions have no contact to their films out in the worldwide mark, meaning that it can only be shown, usually where the film is made. Licenses are also needed to certify the film, giving it a certificate to the age group it is suitable for, e.g. pg, 12, 12a, 15, 18.example “this is England” will only be shown in the UK. If the film is signed over to a large

company, such as universal, it can be shipped to over 90 countries.

Prints and Advertising - The quantity of prints produced for different films varies depending on the type of film, for instance independent films such 'dead mans shoes' will have a smaller budget allowing them to produce about 10 prints which can then circulate around one country. Major films such as '2012
' will have a much larger budget allowing them to have around 1000 prints, meaning they can distribute it worldwide.

To advertise the film distributors use materials such as posters, trailers and clips, they send these to press releases, interviews and cinemas to get the film out there and to attract audiences. Bigger film companies such as DreamWorks will have better contacts meaning they can receive reputable

reviews giving the film better press. They also have a bigger budget so a large amount of the budget can go to promoting the film. Artwork is also used to advertise, such as posters, but the most effective are packaging and displays such as billboards

and on the side of buses.

Campaigns are also a good advertising method as they use editorials, interviews, reviews and are put into popular magazines, which attracts lots of public attention as it is above the line marketing. They then distribute the trailer which they play at the best time of the day usually between 5pm and 7pm. After the trailer is out they can have a press campaign which major films use, they address the release properly with press campaigns and PR's. Smaller independent film would just rely on below the line marketing such as internet advertisements, email and verbal communication. There are then pre-releases of the

film, the method creates excitement making the audience want to go and watch it which is good for the viral marketing.

Digital Distribution - This is purely digital, meaning it is when things are downloaded to a computer. Any downloadable content is digital distribution meaning you will not need prints or reels. the advantages of digital distribution are that in the future it will be cheap, it will also cut costs on prints and reels meaning less of the budget has to be spent, making more profit. It will also reach larger audiences as it is done on computers as there are no limitations on sending it out, this will benefit the independent companies. Although it may cause people to lose jobs if the work with the prints and reels e.g. cinemas, print companies.

Film marketing - Films are usually released on a Friday as statistics show that the weekend is the most popular time for people to go to the cinema. Companies try to avoid releasing films with a similar story line or genre at the same time as there will be clashes which may risk their profit, this however is getting more difficult as on average 10 films are released per week! After the release date is agree the theatrical release is worked on meaning more printing and advertising

is produced and distributed to draw attention to the films release. The producers of a film have to pay a fee to allow the film to be on the market, which then allows them to get royalties, Although Hollywood blockbusters and working title (who's parent company universal own 70% of their company) have vertical integration. This is a technique used by large companies to cut the

distribution costs, as they distribute it themselves meaning they do not have to pay other companies.