Past paper question presentation

Task 10: Distribution

What is film distribution?
Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience. 

What is the distributors role?
A film distributor is responsible for the marketing of a film. The distributor company is usually different from the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film.
The distributor may set the release date of a film and the method by which a film is to be exhibited or made available for viewing: for example, directly to the public either theatrically or for home viewing (e.g. DVD and video-on demand). A limited distributor may deal only with particular products, such as DVDs or Blu-ray, or may act in a particular country or market. 

Some roles a distributor may face:
- Sends trailers to cinemas
- Attends film festivals
- Negotiates film release date and exhibition of film
- Decides how many prints and will pay for these

What's a distributors plan?
A distributor plan is created by the management of manufacturing business that specifies how the company intends to distribute its products to retailers, consumers etc. Larger companies involved in making products will usually also put together a detailed production distribution strategy to guide its entry into its intended market.


What's a P + A Budget?
Prints are... the physical films that are shown in theaters and cinemas, which are very expensive to actually make and distribute to cinemas ($2000 per print).Every cinema showing the film needs at least one print. 
Advertising is... making target audiences aware of the films, through TV adverts, radio, posters, leaflets, socially media etc. 

Usually on average one film has a P+A budget of $35 million that is produced in the big six.
All films need a budget for Prints and Advertising.


What is the average distribution cost for a big six film?

What does the distribution budget include?
Cost or expense incurred in moving goods from the point of production to the point of consumption. Also can be called distribution expenses. included in the budget is: transport costs, delivery costs and tracking distribution costs.

What is a simultaneous release?
A simultaneous release is the name given to an experimental new method of making movies available to consumers. Traditionally. movies are released first to cinemas but in simultaneous release the movie is released to cinemas and on DVD, internet and television on the same date.

What are some main distribution companies?
The main distribution companies in the film industry, include:
- Sony Pictures
- Warner bros
- Paramount pictures 
- Lionsgate
- Columbia pictures
- 20th Century Fox
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Phase 4 Films
- E1 Entertainment
- Walt Disney 
- Tartan Films

What do you think is the link between audiences and distribution?
The audience of film and the products of film are affected by distribution because it determines where and when the audience can view the film. If the film is distributed to DVD, the internet and Television (over 75% of films are new prefer ed to be viewed online or on TV) the easier and cheaper it is for the viewer to watch the film and watch it multiple times. But some audiences still enjoy going to the cinema and watching the film the 'traditional' way. 

Target market audience is... 
The target audience is a particular group at which a product such a film or advertisement is aimed. There is a different target audience according to the genre or story of the film. (e.g. The target audience for romance films are usually young females).
and audience positioning is...
All media text have a series of encoded signs and messages, the audiences then decode these messages. The different audiences then will decode these messages differently. media texts and the film industries are aware of their audiences they are trying to reach out to.

Why is release date crucial?
Release date is crucial for a film because it is key to ensure that the target audience for the film is available to be able to view the film. There are dump months which is two periods of the year that audiences for film are smaller and films released in these time periods do not usually as successful. These times of the year are January and September. Hollywood has uses the colder months for more sobre themes, just before award season. Summer is always the time of release for the big blockbuster films and films produced from the big six because it is the school holidays and people take their holiday in the summer so are more likely to watch films at the cinema. 

What is self distribution?
Self distribution is an option for filmmakers seeking an audience and financial return. It is when filmmakers decide to distribute the film without a distribution company. 

Task 9: Terminology

This terminology below is to help me remember key terms and revise them for my exam in the summer.

Mainstream film: Movies that you hear a lot about from other people and have a wider audience. Also they are all co-produced by the big six. (e.g. Star Wars: Force Awakens, Hunger games part 2 etc.)

Mainstream Cinemas: Only play and distribute mainstream films. (e.g. Odeon, Cineworld and View)

Independent films/cinemas: Completely produced outside the big six, so are produced and distributed by mini majors (Open Road films, Lionsgate and CBS Films) (e.g. Selfish Giant budget was £500,000)

Production: Making or manafacturing from tasks during filming or shooting, such as pre-production. (e.g. Universal production comapany produced: Jurassic world, Back to The Future, Fast and furious 7 and Despicable Me).

Distribution: Is the process of making a movie available for viewing by an audience. (e.g. Jurassic Worlds distributors were Andes Films)

Marketing: The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising. (e.g. Hunger games part 2 budget for marketing was $215 million)

Exchange: Gaining money back from DVD's, CD's, box office sales etc. (e.g. Fast and Furious made $1.516 billion at box office)

Multinational conglomerate: Is a corporation that is amde up of a number of different unrelated businesses. In a conglomerate, one company owns a controlling stake in a number of smaller companies. (e.g 21st Century Fox)

Monopoly: a single company or business that owns all or nearly all of the market for a particular product.

Oligopoly: A number of firms that have the large majority of market share. (e.g. The big six studios recieved almost 87% of American film revenues)

The Big Six:
- Sony
- Warner Bros
- 20th Century Fox
- Disney
- Universal
- Paramount

Horizontal Integration: film companies that need other help to produce, distribute etc.

Vertical Integration: is a wholly integrated company, so can produce, distribute and exhibit films with no help. (e.g. Warner Bros Pictures)

Synergy: When two or more businesses, companies work together to produce a better effect than if they were all seperate.

Merchandising: Promoting using the sale of goods, and branded products etc. (e.g. Star wars on the side of an Evian Water Bottle)

Ultra Violet: Included in a DVD, allows you to add the film or TV show to a digital collection and gives that person a unique code that they can share with friends.

Above the line: mass media is used to promote films (e.g. television, radio advertising and the internet).

Below the line: is more one to one and involves holding out leaflets, stickers and banners. (e.g. indie films, such as Wild Bill)

Technological Convergence: the trend for different technologies for the delivery of a film. (e.g. I Player)

Cross Media Convergence: When different types of technologies come together to create a new technology. (e.g. Sony and Ericson)

Consumption: the person that watch the films, TV programmes, adverts etc. (e.g. in 2016 114.4 million people watched the Super Bowl)

Exhibition: is the showing of a film and how it can be viewed.

Piracy: unauthorized duplication of a copyrighted content which is then sold at market for a lower price than it should be. (e.g. a £50 home screening system may help stop piracy)

Hollywood Franchise 4S Model: Synergy, spectacle, sequelisation and story.

Tie-in: work of fiction or other products based on a media property, such as: board games, video game, book etc. (e.g. Step up have a fitness DVD)

Task 8: Technology

Technologies that are used in various stages of film production...

Production:- In the industry there have been many major advances in filming technologies, movies like The Hobbit boast 48 frames per second – making it the first movie in Hollywood history to surpass the standard fps rate (which is usually 24 frames per second).- On movie sets across the world, Red One Digital cameras are transforming the filming process by replacing the standard 35 mm camera with a smaller, lighter, and thus more portable camera solution – without lessening image quality. - Virtual backlots now allow actors to appear in far flung destinations, thanks to digital backgrounds.

     - For Fast and Furious 7 when they CGI Paul Walkers looks onto his brother they used SFX/Technology to create a Paul Walker look alike.

Distribution: 

- Official websites and blogsites- Press and public previews- Online competitions- Phone apps and social networking sites. - The typical and traditional form of marketing a film towards an audience would be in the form of film posters and trailers but as technologies have advanced so has marketing methods. Exchange:-  The Selfish Giant used the company curzonhomecinema.com to exchange its film.-    -  For Star Wars force awakens they used a 360 degree camera and this below is a statement from an article on how films are exchanged through a 360-degree camera “It roams through the streets and sky and subway tunnels—Help follows a young woman and an LAPD cop (played by Fast and Better Luck Tomorrow​ star Sung Kang) being pursued by a terrifying alien. Whereas most films seem like skeletal proofs of concept, Help has the spectacular heft, Goliath action sequences, and sequential narrative of a Hollywood blockbuster."

Exhibition:- Ultraviolet and Disney Digital Copy are revolutionizing where and when fans can watch film and television content. Purchased Blu-rays can be stored and accessed online and in the cloud, allowing audiences to engage with their entertainment wherever, whenever they want.- With more ways to watch than ever before, audiences can now find their favorite films and television shows on more platforms, from streaming services like iTunes, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Fandor, SnagFilms, and more. - Multiple screens now offer entertainment lovers endless ways to enjoy their favorite content on a slew of various sized screens. From tablet apps, to streaming services optimized for the mobile screen, fans can gain even deeper access to the films and television shows of their choosing. Recent apps like theStar Trek smartphone app and the Men in Black III tablet app allowed users to interact with the marketing campaigns.- IMAX has been introduced into the film industry which offers widescreen cinematography which produces an image approximately ten times larger than that from standard 35 mm film. - An example of the advance in technology for exhibition is for Avatar. Which was one of the first films to not only be offered at IMAX but in an ordinary cinema in 3D and was very popular with audiences.

Task 7: Audience and Cinema Going statistics

Cinema Going Habits

What days to audiences go to the cinema?

Most people go to the cinema at the weekends as that is when they are off and don't have to worry about work and other times that are popular is weekdays that have a deal happening e.g. Wednesdays with orange and Two for Tuesdays with ComparetheMarket.com.

What are the most popular genres?

The most popular genres were Action, Romance and Comedy. This is because these are genres that are safe, as most of the films that are huge blockbusters come under these genres as these genre films appeal to mass audiences. 

What was the top film in each of these genres?

Romance- Cinderella, this is because it was released in the school holidays and was also popular for families to go and watch meaning they did best in box office for 2015 romance films.

Action- Jurassic World, this was also released in the school holidays and was available for families to go and watch, as the age rating didn't limit the viewings and it was long awaited.

Comedy- Inside Out and Minions, again both of these both appeal to families and younger children, meaning a larger audience went to see the films. They also were both released in the summer holidays meaning that children were in school holidays.

How do audiences hear about films?

Most people find out about films from trailers that are on TV and in the cinema before the film starts, also they find out about them through social media, this is because nearly everyone in the target audience of cinema is on some type of social media.

Do audiences prefer US, UK or other nationality films?

Most people like US or UK films as they are the two most prominent countries in the film industry, however nearly all the main blockbuster films are from US companies, e.g. Disney, a high majority of people prefer US films to UK films.

Do audiences like 3D films?

Nearly all people prefer 2D films because when watching 3D films you have to wear the glasses and unless the movie is especially good for 3D it is a bit pointless to most people.

What other ways do audiences watch film aside from the cinema?

Other ways people watch films is through the internet/ online e.g. Netflix. However people are also watching the films on illegal film websites such as Putlocker which stops money going back into the film industry.

Who do audiences go to the cinema with?

Most of the time people go to the cinema with friends as it is what many people do when they want to meet up with their friends and go and do something together as it isn't particularly expensive to do. Occasionally people go with their families, but that depends upon the type of film it is and the age of the children/ people who are going.

When and where are most audiences likely to go to the cinema?

The most popular places to go to the cinema at their nearby mainstream cinema such as Odeon, Vue or Cineworld. This is because these are the cinemas that show the most popular blockbuster, mainstream films around the UK.

Exam Question Improvements

After feedback recently I have found many things in which I can do to help get my exam questions a higher mark. 

Things that I should do to improve these marks include:
- Using a lot more terminology in my answer to help boost marks and demonstrate that I know advanced terminology.
- To not repeat myself when writing about characters or scenes.
- Include more representations for men in the clip as well as women.
- Need to include more ideas on camera shots and editing in the clip.

Below is a paragraph from my essay question on the Prime evil clip and I have rewritten it, including more terminology and correcting my mistakes from before...

The women in the end scene with the larger man in the barn, starts off to seem reasonably calm by using over the shoulder shots which represents that this conversation is fairly 'normal' and friendly. In contrast to the 'harder' more counter typical women in the beginning scenes. This women in the barn is seen to be more of a stereotypical women with the use of mise en scene, because her attire is very revealing with cleavage and her thighs showing and is in a dress which represents how the women is seen in this position to satisfy the 'Male's gaze'. This is juxtaposed when the other manly, tomboyish women walks into the barn setting with the well presented, classy women. When the farmer then pulls a gun out on the women the tension heightens this is due to an increase of pace in the non-digetic sounds, including when the farmer pulls out the dangerous gun. The use of a close up shot on the terrified women helps us to see her emotions clearly. Before then hearing synchronous sounds from the shots being fired and the dogs beginning to bark, this also increases the tension of the scene. Because the man is holding and firing the gun this helps us to see that he is willing to kill  anyone that gets in his way, this conforms to the stereotype of a men liking guns and 'toys'. The two characters in this setting are not filmed together but are filmed individually in shots to help represent the tension and dislike they share for each other. But the only point in which the pair are seen in shot together is when there is a high angle shot which shows how the women is in a comprising and vulnerable position and this conforms to the stereotype of men and women. And how men are of higher status in society and have more power.
In conclusion, in the clip the representation of women is very divided between the two main female characters. The feminine women is seen as being the stereotypical materialistic women whereas the more manly women is the counter type of what women are seen as being. But the men in this clip are all generally seen as being strong, independent men and are seen with lots of weapons and Armour which is stereo typically what men are seen to be like. The only male character who subvert to a mans stereotype is a man at the end who is dressed in pink, with this use of mise en scene it makes us believe that this man may have a feminine outlook on things.

Task 6: Independent Cinemas

Independent Cinemas in and around Essex:
- Cramphorn Theatre
- Genesis (London)
- The Cornerhouse (Manchester)
- The Orion (Burgess Hill)
- Zeffirellis (Ambleside)
- Prince Charles (London)
- The Phoenix (Falmouth)
- Watershed (Bristol)
- BFI Southbank (London)
- Watermans (Brentford)
- Rich Mix (London)
- Rio (London)
- National Media Museum (Bradford)
- The Phoneix (London)

Above are lots of Independent Cinemas that can be found in and around Essex mainly in London. 


Genesis (London)- 
This independent cinema is in East London and remains high on the list of quality indie cinemas in London. Some of its screens may once have been glorified TV screens, but in recent years it has been improved the most high-end of multiplexes. It holds many different events including a remix of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Ghostbusters, a poetry slam, and live art in the gallery. A bonus to the cinema also is that you can get married there!


To find out more, here is the cinemas website: www.genesiscinema.co.uk 

The Electric (Birmingham)- 
Is this the oldest cinema in the UK? It certainly has a good claim to it. Opened in 1909, it’s been called a variety of names over the years, including The Tatler and The Tivoli, but reverted to its original Electric name in 1993. Showing a wide variety of indie, mainstream, and world cinema. It also plays host to its own film
 post and production company Electric Flix. It is said that one film that you should definitely make a trip here to see is the film The Last Projectionist, which tells the story of a really wonderful picturehouse.

To find out more here is the cinemas website: https://www.theelectric.co.uk/ 


The Cornerhouse (Manchester)- 
The Cornerhouse is situated in Manchester and is a former furniture shop, it is now a charitable cross-media powerhouse. With patrons including Helen Mirren, Danny Boyle, and Damien Hirst, its three screens, three galleries, café, and bookshop bar guarantee something interesting is always going on there. With a mix of the best independent cinemas, slightly more auteur focused Hollywood films, and events such as live scores of films. 

To find out more here is the cinemas website: http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/cinema-listings


Hyde Park Picture House (Leeds)-
Hyde Park Picture House is in fact not owned by Picturehouse/Cineworld, Hyde Park Picture House is a true institution going strong in the heart of Leeds. It turned 100 years old on the 7th November. It is said to be the very best of under the radar cinema from around the world, this council owned cinema has a vocal and dedicated fan-base and mixes gorgeous Edwardian touches such as gas lighting, an outside box-office, and balcony seating, with bang up to date Dolby Digital.

To find out more here is the cinemas website:   http://www.hydeparkpicturehouse.co.uk/ 


Film listing for The Phoenix cinema- 

This is a screenshot of the listings for the films being shown at the independent cinema in London, it includes films like; Met Encore, Eye in the sky and Dheepan.