3 DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION

I looked into the film "Hunger Games" in order to see how they distributed and promoted there film.
I decided to present this in more detail by using a SlideShare.

We watched a video in class about Film distribution, from the site: 

http://launchingfilms.info/furtherdiscussions/ 

We looked on the FDA website which gave a step to step guide of how you would distribute your film to get as many people to watch it in the opening weekend which decides its success.

When looking at companies that would be appropriate to distribute our short film opening called "10 Years", Warp seemed very appropriate. Warp Films and sister company Warp X produce innovative and distinctivecontent which is both commercially and critically successful. Their features, shorts and music videos share a unique voice and loyal audience. Alex Marshall, Chief Operating Officer at Warp, explains “Everyone is talking about digital and what it means for the film industry and we wanted to develop our understanding of these issues. We were particularly keen to find out more about the potential for digital distribution and how it could change the way we do things at Warp.” Exploring partnerships The Warp team has been working with its innovation partner to explore distribution ideas outside of traditional theatrical and DVD ‘windows’. 

• THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN: This is used to make a film stand out from the rest. (Ian George the managing director of 20th century fox) says things that make a film stand out out can be "the cast", 'the playability", "even the soundtrack". David Willing (the CEO of miracle media group) says that for a movie "the trailer is the most important thing in selling a film", "without any synergy the campaign wont work together".  The overall look of a film is important and usually there is a constant theme issued to a certain movie such as "Hunger Games".  This means it "becomes immediately identifiable", (David Willing the CEO of miracle media group) . Also this helps communicate the genre of the film. 
• THE TRAILER:  David Willing (the CEO of miracle media group) explains that "The trailer is the most important key to selling the film, as its the publics first and probably only exposure to what there actually going to buy into", The trailers are shown mostly in the cinema and our available online. Realistically, as a viewer, you are not going to pay to watch a film, if the trailer docent interest or excite you. Likewise, if the trailer holds no cliff-hanger or climax then seeing the film will not be a priority and may just slip your mind. Certain trailers are deliberately shown before the viewing of a movie of a similar or the same genre as the movie trailer, so that it is being presented straight to its target market. Paul Noble (Creative Partnership) talks about how for trailers in the comedy genre "A voiceover is effective" as it helps to communicate the humour whereas for a drama or thriller "the action should do all the work", as well as "captions" as the silence "sets the mood".

• THE POSTER: The posters are designed in order to entice the audience and determine genre.The poster should also be able to give the viewer an idea of what to expect, and who are the lead roles. Robin Behling (REREF) says that "Its the first look people will have of the movie", "It needs to sell all the movie has to offer". Paul Noble (Creative Partnership) explains how posters "tease" the public. He also talks about how the posters make people "aware that a film is coming", so this generates buzz and gets people involved in researching and looking into other distribution the film has to offer. 

• • MULTIMEDIA: Being in the 21st century, the internet is playing an important role in the advertising campaign. Most films have a film website which displays a selection of things to do with the film such as: A Gallery, Games, Store and Downloads. John Hamm (Greenroom Digital) talks about  "Viral marketing", he talks about how "websites, games and downloads" create trends and a buzz around the film. The multimedia now a days can be extremely interactive, and after investigating the "Hunger Games", large distribution companies are aware of this. Apps are the newest produce of multimedia, and are now being aimed at much younger ages. A prime example of this, is a very recent film, "The Spondgebob Movie", in which Nickelodeon have created free online games which advertise the release of the film, and are aimed at ages as young as 4-10.
  I have linked the online game.

• TV SPOTS: David Willing (the CEO of miracle media group) says that "TV spots are created much later in the day when the full film is made", "They are usually a lot shorter". They need to get across; "The film title, who's in it and when it comes out". These are sort of similar to the trailer, yet should only involve key things, and don't need to underpin the overall story or whats to come. It only needs to create climax and tension. Gerry Lewis (International Marketing Consultant) talks about "the right piece of film to put in the right television commercial, that wets the appetite ". 

• PUBLICITY: This involves everything from, articles in magazines to radio broadcasts about the film. This is important to the film as it is addressing a bigger audience. This may even involve the famous actors and actresses in the film and how they get involved. Jennifer Lawrence was very important publicity in distribution for "Hunger Games".

• REVIEWS: These are vital as the can effect our dissuasion to see a film. Helen O' Hara (Empire Magazine) talks about how, "its not only one review thats important, its how a film has been reviewed generally thats important".

• OPENING WEEKEND: The opening weekend is curtail as if your film does not make a substantial amount of money in that three day period, it is deemed unsuccessful. Your film has to have made more money than any other film in that cinema. The results of this all depends on the success of the campaign as it is what will be attracting audiences.