Marketing and Distribution

Distribution and Marketing 

Film distribution is quite plainly how the film is passed around the world, deciding what cinema to be played in, available countries, how much it will cost, how long it’s shown for, and release dates. Theoretically, it’s how the films controlled beyond developing. Though companies such as ‘Warner Bro’s’ are highlighted and shown, generally at the start of the film, Film Distributors Association Ltd are the ‘trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK’ the company that officially releases films for an audience. This company are what enrols film distributors to market and finance the films, these are the ones that set all the release dates and decide if it will be available on certain internet sites such as ‘Netflix’ or for example release on DVD or Blu-ray. A reach is the way how much of the population is affected by the marketing. Especially for higher anticipated films, a larger reach would probably be used, and more specifically too in order to attract a certain audience. If this deems as a success it will significantly benefit the movie in its success, as more and more will become interested. A reach can be done via posters and billboards, or digitally through adverts either on TV or social media, interviews are generally conducted with either the director or the main protagonist and these are put into magazines or through small news shows that target specific genres. An unsuccessful reach can put the movie on the decrease; this can be done through controversial advertising, excessive marketing or just a poor marketing plan.
 A marketing plan is usually set out by the film distributor, this is to be able to advertise and market to their audiences. This is an annual plan set up including market research based around the target audience they want to appeal to, down to how they act and their aesthetic details. This also includes the budget through the year, and a rough estimate of how much will be earned through this. Ways of marketing to a target audience is to interview the population, and collect a series of results in order to decipher the kind of people that would be interested in the film. The plans intention is to lay out a plan of action to get the film out for a specific date and/or ensure budgeting will reach its goal.
A distribution plan will have to be made, similarly to the marketing; it will be based on an annual plan. It’s used to plan out technique they want to promote the film with, the company has to claim rights surrounding the film. To promote the film, they have to develop a strategy upon release, through posters, trailers, etc… The film has to be given approval by The British Board of Film Classification, based on the certain hype created around it for a targeted audience. Distribution companies use advertising, publicity and promotion in order to get their movie marketed successfully. Advertising is what goes into magazines, seen on the sides of busses, put across social media, etc… The publicity stand point is how far the reach gets to, and how many people it appeals to. Lastly, the promotion is all the merchandise, and raising awareness for the film, this will focus around the main protagonist, titles or relating pictures.