1. We also considered BBC films when researching film companies. We felt that our film would benefit from the international success that follows their films. For example, from my research I found that, "Jane Eyre" had a domestic gross (USA) of $11 million. They aim to make strong British films which our film has the potential be with the right financial backing. has. In terms of their aims they believe in new talent which was what appealed to us the most. If they believed in our product enough and felt that it was new talent (which it was) then we were likely to form a partnership with them.
1.1. Institution 3: BBC Films
1.2. Why we didn't choose BBC Films: Our film had urban characteristics which did not the profile of the films BBC Films commonly distribute because they often do book to film adaptations which do not often appeal to our target audience.
2. Why we didn't choose the Big 6 for distribution?
2.1. We didn't pick the big 6 to distribute our film because we felt that American distributors are less likely going to work with small British Independent companies such as ours.
3. Institution 1: Film 4
3.1. From our research, we found that Film 4 was also a possible contender for our production company. With Film 4 and Film 4 +1 being its own channel our film would be able to be shown on TV allowing us to reach a wider audience.
3.1.1. We chose Film 4 in association with Vertigo films. We did this because Film 4 are known for having previous financial troubles such as cutting their budget which we felt our film could suffer financially as well so we felt a collaboration with Vertigo films would be more practical. Also, we felt we did fit their criteria because despite distributing a lot of period drama films such as "Elizabeth" they have distributed "gritty kitchen sink" dramas which they are often associated with. For example, from my research I found they distributed films such as "My Beautiful Laundrette".
4. Institution 2: Vertigo Films
4.1. "Roll With The Punches" will benefit from a distribution company like Vertigo. One benefit for us would be that we will be able to attract a majority of an older target audience. Our target audience age was 15+. This is similar to Vertigo's TA age with films as the distribute films such as "Sparkle" which has a 15 age certificate from the BBFC. Criteria wise, we felt that we perfectly matched the general criteria of vertigo because they specialise in working with independent cinema.
4.1.1. The production company we did end up choosing. This is because we felt that they had the most experience in distributing films which are similar to our genre. Also, unlike Film 4, Vertigo isn't known to having financial troubles which would mean they would be able to give us more money which we can use on a suitable marketing campaign. They are also successful in the box office with films such as "Streetdance"which could help increase our profit.
5. Institution 4: Netflix
5.1. Despite not mentioning Netflix in my research, we considered Netflix as they have been recently trying to work with independent film makers become successful which we aim to achieve. They do this by working with film festivals. By attending large film festivals like Sundance, Netflix are able to see a wide range of talent and potential films they feel will become successful. Netflix then offer money to the independent film makers so that they can have the rights to stream their films. For example in 2016, Netflix bought the streaming rights for the low budget film, "Tallulah".
5.2. We chose Netflix as our final online distribution company because Netflix is more mainstream in terms of online streaming and it is the website that we found from our questionnaire that our target audience is more likely going to use to watch films. Also, since they are a major corporation, they are more likely going to give us a bigger offer in terms of buying our licensing agreements.
6. The BFI Festival
6.1. From my research, I found that the BFI also hold a film festival. They have prestigious awards for films that they like which we can use for our marketing campaign as I mentioned in my research. Our target audience will be familiar with the BFI as they often try and engage youths in film making and the cinema.
6.2. We didn't choose BFI festival because unlike LIFF, BFI is very mainstream meaning it would be harder for our film to enter the film festival because it would mean that there would be more competition. I also felt that we wouldn't fit in with their criteria because they distribute films that normally would not be shown in the cinema and by showing a low budget film like ours in a cinema we'll be able to appeal to a wider target audience and get more profit.
7. Edinburgh International Film Festival
7.1. From my research, I found that they have various film categories for different films such as for the Family films for families with children. A lot of the awards run by the film festival come with cash prizes which can help small independent companies. During this period, a lot of the films are displayed in various venues around Edinburgh such as the Odeon.
7.1.1. We didn't choose Edinburgh International film festival for the same reason as the BFI, there would be too much competition as it is a highly recognised film festival.
8. Institution 1: Vimeo
8.1. We considered the Vimeo for our online distribution. We felt our film will benefit from Vimeo. Vimeo recognises independent film makers and how it can be hard for them to get enough money to market their film so they can attract a audience. From my research, I found out if filmmakers were able to raise enough money through crowdfunding, they would provide independent films with a grant.
8.2. We didn't choose Vimeo for online distribution because we felt that they wouldn't attract our target audience age. Also, we felt we wouldn't fit vimeo's criteria in terms of films. This is because I found from my reasearch that a lot of the feature films do not fit with our genre.
9. The Big 6
9.1. The Big 6 are: Walt Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Sony (Columbia)
10. Online Distribution
10.1. Online distribution refers to the idea of the distribution of media content in a digital format rather than a physical format.
11. Institution 3: MUBI
11.1. Mubi is another online distributor that I researched. I found that they operated their services in a different way compared to other to the other online distributors I researched. The films would only be available for 30 days before being taken down. Their aim is based around "cult, classic, independent films."
11.2. We didn't choose Mubi because we felt that we didn't fit their criteria as they distribute arthouse films whereas our film is a British low budget Sports/Drama. We also didn't pick Mubi because it isn't particularly familiar with our target audience age group.
12. Institution 2: Dailymotion
12.1. From my research, I found that Dailymotion is available around the world meaning we would be able to attract a greater target audience. I learnt that they operate in 18 different languages. They also do not have a set criteria in terms of the types of films they distribute. They are also a known online distributor as they have been distributing since March 2005.
12.1.1. We didn't choose dailymotion because we felt that it was because they rarely stream feature films, that our film will not be able to fit with their criteria as well as limiting the amount of people who see our film as dailymotion is not as mainstream compared to other streaming sites such as Netflix and Now TV.
13. Film Festivals
13.1. Film festivals are where often films around the world are displayed to an audience in special venues usually in one region. Film festivals are important because they provide recognition for filmmakers. The awards can benefit the festival and the filmmakers in terms of promotion. More people are going to want to see a film which has received awards which can especially help independent filmmakers appeal to a wider target audience. Film festivals can also help in terms of networking. These festivals also give filmmakers a chance to display their work in front of various professionals such as representatives of distributing companies such as Film 4 or Netflix who can help them distribute their work in various countries so they can access a wider target audience.
14. London Independent Film Festival
14.1. Other members of my group researched, London Independent Film Festival. The LIFF is designed for films with very little to no budgets. They display films from around the world and has been backed by various sponsors such as Dailymotion. They also have a wide range of awards available for the filmmakers who submit their films.
14.1.1. We chose the London Independent festival to distribute our film . We felt that they would be able to represent us the best as they specialise in low budget independent films and has a lower profile compared to other film festivals which means there will be less competition for the awards.