Evaluation: Question 3

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

A distributor is (generally) a company that handles the marketing and theatrical release of the film. Depending on the distribution company this could be on both global and national scales. There are two main types of markets and target audiences, these are:

 - Global tent-pole: This targets as many people as possible meaning that the marketing will not be kept on a national scale, but international.

- Local independent: This targets a niche market of people. On very small budget films the marketing net may be further narrowed to a region, opposed to national marketing.

The main thing that would make the choice of institute to distribute the film is the funding or budget that the film has. If the film has a really small budget to get all the production and distribution done then an independent distributor, such as Film4 and Microwave. Conglomerates are the other types of distributors that we could go into co-productions with, although these usually fully cover the distribution of the film during it’s theatrical release, they usually are after a pre-established production team.

 Film 4:

Film 4 is Channel 4 Television’s film division used to develop and co-finance films. They are known for working with distinctive and innovative British talent, both new and previously established. Examples of films they have been involved in recent years include: Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave and Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire.

BBC Film:

BBC Films was founded in 1990. It co-produces around 8 films a year, working with major distributors both nationally and internationally. Recent movies include X + Y and Mr. Holmes.

Studio Canal:

Studio canal is a French based distribution company that owns the third largest film library in the word. The company is a unit of the Canal+ Group, which is owned by Vivendi. Recent releases include Paddington (2014), Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015), and MacBeth (2015).

Microwave Film London:

Microwave funds film as well as give development and mentoring support to shortlisted projects, also including production finance and distribution support to final commissioned films.