Evaluation Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Distributers are responsible for the promotion and release of the film. Market distributers conduct a strategy to showcase the media product to the exhibitors. The strategies may include an advertising campaign such as trailers, posters, and commercials to create a sense of exposure for the media product. Not only is attention gained, the process makes films accessible for the target audience. In order to do this the film will be screened in cinemas such as Vue, Cineworld or Odeon. The marketing distributers act as a ‘go between’ with the purpose to connect the target audience with the media product.

Our low budget independent film is unlikely to be taken on by a mass media institution. For instance, Warner Bros are normally associated with box office hits that attract a mainstream demographic. In this case we understand that a large distribution corporation is not likely to consider launching ‘Ninja Child’. An appropriate media outlet would be an institution that upholds an interest on British low key independent films.

A potential distributer that would consider our film is the Guirella-Film institution. The organisation states on the website, “We are constantly looking to take on more British and Irish films and help reduce the backlog of films that are trying to find any kind of UK release. Our only secret is that we take on a few films each year and treat them as if they are our own. We therefore have to do everything we can to make these films succeed in order to continue what we are doing” The company’s ethos demonstrates a general interest in British and Irish films, both theatrically and on DVD. This particular organisation would effectively provide the opportunity to generate exposure for ‘Ninja Child’ and for a successful release. The distributer also has connections with leading UK chains- UCG, Cineworld, UCI and VUE as well as numerous independent cinemas. With the links the organisation has, it will result in the film being screened to a large audience.

A following distributer that would consider our film is Metrodome who pride themselves in delivering exceptional campaign releases. A UK based organisation that “excel in creating bespoke, cost effective release strategies to maximise returns for all stakeholders. We pride ourselves on our unrivalled market knowledge and ability to adapt to our clients needs in a fast changing media landscape.” Their distribution process aims to make independent films more recognisable to build interest.

An alternative method would be to use the internet as a distribution outlet. The advantage is that this method is cheap and you don’t have to go through the time consuming process of approaching a market distributer to consider the film. Websites such as Youtube and Facebook are fast growing sites, meaning media products will be simple to advertise. However on the other hand, this method will not benefit you financially. The audience are watching the film for free meaning no costs will be contributed towards the film. In addition, many will possibly overlook your film because it is in competition with the thousands of other films that have also been uploading and distributed on the internet.

 

Film festivals such as the British film institution offer a diverse range of independent low budget films. According to the organisation it is “the lead body for film in the UK, with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive” Over an amount of days the film would be screened, therefore a basic way to connect to a wider audience. Film festivals generate a large following because it presents innovative films, therefore is compatible with our media product.