You need to know how film distribution works and who are the companies, both big and small, who specialise in this area.
This is important not just for Section B of the exam but also for one of the questions in the evaluation of your film opening.
The questions you will have to answer can be found below. Take a close look at the 3rd question and you will see why this knowledge is important.
In order to develop your understanding of film distribution, you must read through The Film Distributor's Association step-by-step guide.
This can be found as a pdf document by CLICKING HERE - my recommendation is that you download a copy and save it for future reference.
This guide traces what happens to a film after the production stage has been completed and the film is ready for release to an audience. It does this by tracing the journey of a fictional film titled 'And Then What?'
The guide is broken down into the following stages:
- The role of distribution.
- What do film distributors do?
- Who are the distributors?
- How do distributors get their filmMaking a distribution deal.
- Planning the release.
- What? When? Who? How?
- Film marketing.
- Licensing films to exhibitors (cinemas).
- The wider picture : further issues for distributors to weigh up.
One of the really useful things contained within this step-by-step guide is a breakdown of the journey that a film takes from beginning to end.
I have copied this below for ease of reference:
Producer/company acquires rights to film a story or treatment.
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Screenplay is developed by one or more writers.
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Production finance and cast and crew are confirmed.
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Principal photography takes place, in studios and/or on agreed locations, followed by some months of post-production, editing and scoring.
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Distributor gets exhibitors and journalists along to watch parts of the shoot, to build anticipation for the actual release.
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Distributor develops release strategy, considers release date, and takes delivery of a master print of the finished film.
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Distributor presents the film to BBFC to ensure no issues with certification. Then screens to exhibitors and negotiates bilateral agreements to have it shown in cinemas.
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Distributor's marketing campaign aims to create a 'want to see' buzz among the target audience and launches the film.
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DCPs including the British Board of Film Classification certificate are delivered to cinemas a few days before opening. KDMs issued.
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Film's run extends any number of weeks subject to demand, which may be augmented by additional marketing.
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Following its run in cinemas, the film is released in other formats (home entertainment, television) and quickly becomes a catalogue title.
