Distribution

Distribution - What is it?

-What part of the supply chain is distribution?
It is the third part of the supply chain

-What is distribution often referred to as?
It is referred to as invisible art

-What does 'vertical integration' mean when discussing distribution?
This is when the production company has the ownership of the means of production, distribution and exhibition of the film by the same company, because of this they receive all of the profit.
-Why isn't 'vertical integration' so common in the independent sector?
In the independent film sector, vertical integration does not operate so commonly. Producers tend not to have long-term economic links with distributors, who likewise have no formal connections with exhibitors.
-What three stages are involved in the independent sector?
licensing, marketing and logistics.

-What is licencing?
Licensing is the process by which a distributor acquires the legal right to exploit a film. In distribution, licensing itself can take place on two levels.
-What are the two levels of licencing?
International distribution and local distribution

-What is the advantage of being a major US studio?

-What three different types of rights can you acquire on a local level?

-What are royalties?

-What is the most effective way to increase interest in a film?

-How long does it take for a film to reach 'free to air' TV?

What are the two key questions surrounding the marketing of a film?

What day are films typically released on?

What will a distributor look at before releasing a film on a Friday?

What is a 'light' week in terms of distribution?

What does it mean to 'position' a film distinctively?

Why has this become increasingly difficult in the UK?

What are P&A?

How much can P&A cost?

Typically how many prints will a 'specialised' film have?

How many will mainstream films have?

What is a key factor in developing the profile of a film?

How else can awareness of a film be raised?

Why is distribution in the UK seen as risky?

Why are companies looking towards viral marketing?

What are the benefits of a 'talent visit'

In the pre digital film age what was a distributor responsible for?

How much does a 35mm print typically cost?

How many reals is a typical feature print?

Why do 35mm prints get damaged?

Where are prints stored?

How long did a theatrical release used to last?

When did digital distribution begin in the UK?

Name two advantages of digital distribution

Which countries adopted digital distribution early and why?

How many screens were digital in 2005 and how many are now (you'll need to google this)

Why has digital distribution radically altered the operating model of distributors?

What has happened to the typical release period for a film?

What is a loss leader (google it) and why are companies using the Cinema as a potential loss leader?

British film companies

Warp X- Warp Films produced Kill List with Bill Wheatley directing it. They're a British film production company, sister to Warp Films bases in Sheffield, UK with further offices in Nottingham and London. The company was founded in 2005 and produces feature films with budgets usually between £400k and £800k. Their intent was to add energy and vitality to the British film industry.



Studio Canal- They are a French based company, but were the most prominent Uk distributors in the early 21st century when they distributed Kill List. They are a French based distribution company. They own the third largest film library in the world.



Film Yorkshire- In 2000, nine different regional screen agencies, one in each English region, to deliver support to film making. Co production with other companies.



Film 4- They're a British, digital, television channel available in the UK. They are responsible for a large number of films made in the UK. Co produced Kill List with other companies.



UK Film Council- Set up in 2000 to promote the UK film industry. It is funded by many different sources including things like the national lottery. Their aim was to make a competitive, vibrant and successful British film industry.



Rook Films- A PLC founded in 2010



Optimum releasing- A film distributing company based in UK and Ireland. They release many films including foreign films.



IFC Midnight- An American distribution company based in New York. They distribute independent films and documentaries.

Village Roadshow- An Australian company with interests in cinema, theme parks, film production and distribution.

Ratpac-Dune entertainment- An American motion pictures financing company.

Warner Bros- An American entertainment company that produces television and music entertainment. It is one of the major production companies. It's base is in Burbank, California

DNA Films-

Representation of Class and Status

Upper Class: 

Breaking Bad- Elliot and Gretchen are a multi millionaire couple that play the role of being Walters friends, however seem to be constantly looking down on Walter as they are much wealthier. They meet the stereotype of judgemental, well educated upper class people. They also offer Walter money for his cancer treatment which is a countertype as wealthy people are usually reluctant to give away money but these aren't.

Downton Abbey- The Crawley family are portrayed as a well educated, wealthy and influential people. This is also shown by their number of servants. They meet the stereotype of upper class people being well spoken as they enunciate their words clearly and use a wide range of vocabulary. 

Middle Class:  

Breaking Bad- The White family are a working class family who meet the stereotype of lower class people being hard working towards making money and this shows as the parents work very hard to make their money.

Waterloo Road- They're clearly middle class as they work hard for their money and are well committed to their job.

 

Lower Class:

 

Misfits- As the TV drama is about young offenders, and it is aimed at teenagers, it will interest this age group as they can relate to the use of language and behaviour.

 



Representation of ethnicity- Line of Duty extract

Office scene
-The woman in this scene asks the man a question during a shot-reverse shot which implies that he is higher up in status than her and in the job hierarchy which is a countertype of the fact that black people aren't intelligent and this scene clearly portrays that he is.
House scene
-Hand held camera when he enters the house in an angry fashion, meets the stereotype of him being dangerous as it represents how he may be erratic.
-Camera zooms towards his angry face which suggests that he meets the stereotype of danger.
-When he has calmed down, the mid shot of him appears to be steady and stable which meets the stereotype of black people being friendly
-However when he begins to get angry again and arrests the woman, a two-shot is presented and is then hand held and the camera shakes which meets the stereotype of black people being dangerous again.


Car scene
- Tilted/canted camera angle of the women meets the stereotype of how white people are unstable.
- Close up of the black man which shows his tears, this meets the stereotype of how we feel pity towards him.

Representation of ethnicity

Four key themes in racial representation:

• Exotic or other
• Dangerous
• Humorous
• Pitied

Stereotypes for black people:

• Drug related
• Gangsters
• Athletes
• Friendly
• Criminals

Luther- Luther is represented as helpful and caring which contrasts the stereotype of danger

 

The Walking Dead- Gabriel could be presented as exotic as he is a priest and as he believes in no violence, it shows that he may be weaker than others

 

Stereotypes for white people:

• Arrogant
• Rational
• Well Educated
• Awkward

Sherlock- Sherlock Holmes is socially very awkward as well as being highly educated





 

The Walking Dead- Rick is presented as making rational decisions as he is leader. He contrasts certain stereotypes as he isn't well educated and he isn't socially awkward as he is leader of the group and needs to be controlling.

 

Prison Break- Michael Scofield is presented stereotypically as he is very well educated and very rational in his decisions. However he also very kind and humble which contrasts the stereotype of whites being arrogant.

 

Stereotypes for East Asians:

• Intelligent
• Emotionless
• Hard Working
• Determined
• Good with technology
• Martial arts

The Walking Dead- Glenn is represented stereotypically as he is hard working, intelligent and very determined as he is one of the main characters in this TV drama. However he also contrasts the stereotype of them being emotionless as he is in a relationship with his wife.

 



 

Prison Break- William Kim is shown as being intelligent and hard working as he is very committed towards his job. He is also represented stereotypically as he shows lack of emotion.

 

Stereotypes of South Asians:

• Educated
• Religious
• Villains
• Criminals
• Educated



The British Film Industry

Why have a British film industry?

Pathe

• Chicken Run 
• Inbetweeners 2 
• Kill List 
• MacBeth 
• Cuban Fury

Film4

• Ex Machina 
• Suffragette 
• Two Brothers 
• Trance 
• Thunderpants 

eone

• The Hunger Games 
• Insidious 3 
• Pixels 
• The Age of Adaline 
• The Little Prince 

Working Title

• Everest
• We Are Your Friends
• Legend
• The Theory of Everything
• Rush

bigtalk productions

• The Worlds End
• Hot Fuzz
• Scott Pilgrim vs the World
• Cuban Fury
• In Fear

Warpfilm

• Four Lions
• This is England
• 71
• Submarine
• The Stone Roses

Cultural scores
The Avengers Age Of Ultron- 18/35
Ex Machina- 21/35
Mad Max Fury Road- 11/35
Star Wars: The Force Awakens- 12/35

eOne, StudioCanal and Entertainment control half of box office income made on all independent UK films.

How to be British

• British director
• British producer
• Mostly British cast
• British production company
• British identity by the BFI
• British subject matter

How do British films attract their audiences?

• Sticking to the criteria
• Popular actors
• Originality
• Making sequels or prequels
• Play with British stereotypes
• High budget

How are they different from Hollywood blockbusters?

• Usually have a smaller budget
• Niche audiences

Types of audiences

• Mainstream- Usually only watches big Hollywood blockbusters and nothing else
• Aficionados- Watches a mix of films, including major foreign films
• Mainstream: plus- Likes the big blockbuster films but will see slightly lower budget films e.g. Mad Max Fury Road
• Film buffs- In favour of more challenging and interesting films e.g. Ex Machina

Why have a British film industry?
A British film industry allows films to grow and become popular in Britain. Also it acts as a business opportunity which can boost Britain's economy.

Mad Max Fury Road Facts

1. Mad Max Fury Road starred actors such as Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult
2. Filming first concluded in 2012 
3. Reshoots for the film happened in 2013
4. The first set of filming lasted 120 days
5. Early attempts were made to shoot the film in 2001 and 2003, but were delayed because of the Iraq war
6. The film had a world premier on 7 May 2015
7. Mel Gibson was originally supposed to star as Max but didn't after his cancellation 
8. It began a worldwide theatrical release on 14th May 2015
9. Mad Max Fury Road made $374.4 million at the box office
10. A PG-13 and R rated versions were both shown on separate screens, the R rated one was decided upon and then distributed by Warner Bros 
11. 114 people died in the film
12. It is the longest film of all the Mad Max's with a duration of 2 hours
13. Initial DVD release in the US 1st December 2015
14. George Miller directed the film
15. Its release in the UK was 14th May 2015
16. Tom Hardy suffered a broken nose during filming following an elbow from Charlize Theron
17. George Miller wanted to make sure that it wasn't a CGI film
18. On April 3rd, Tom Hardy announced that he would sign on for 3 more Mad Max films
19. The American dollar collapsed against the Australian dollar which made their budget "balloon"
20. It made $16.77million on it's release day
21. The film was released on Blu Ray and DVD in the UK on 5th October 2015
22. So far has won 27 awards
23. Tom Hardy played Max
24. Charlize Theron played Furiosa
25. Nicholas Hoult played Nux
26. It contains 2000 visual effect shots
27. George Miller recruited his wife Margaret Sixel to edit the film
28. Charlize Theron wore a green cover over her arm to aid effects artists in digitally removing her arm from her scenes
29. The film grossed over $375million worldwide, making it the highest grossing film in the Mad Max franchise
30. Hugh Keays-Byrne played Immortan Joe 
31. The film is set after a nuclear holocaust
32. Mad Max gets captured by war boys
33. Max is imprisoned and used as a "blood bag" by Nux
34. Imperator Furiosa is sent to collect gasoline, but when she goes off route and Immortan Joe realises that his five wives are missing, he sends his whole army in pursuit of Furiosa
35. He calls on aid of nearby gas town and bullet farm
36. Nux joins the pursuit with Max as his blood bag
37. Furiosa drives everyone into a massive sandstorm in an attempt to loose the army
38. It is successful apart from Nux attempts to sacrifice himself in an attempt to stop Furiosa
39. After the storm, Max occupies the rig but cannot drive it
40. He allows Furiosa and the wives to drive with him
41. They drive through a canyon filled with bikers in an attempt to barter a deal for safe passage but they turn on her when they see the army coming
42. Bikers chase the rig and one of the wives, pregnant with Joe's child, falls off, killing her and the baby