The document discusses the distribution process for films. It covers factors affecting distribution, key responsibilities of distributors, print circulation and costs, and examples of the distribution models for the films "A Field in England" and "Pacific Rim." Students are asked to debate whether distribution benefits all areas of the film industry. They are given roles representing different film industry stakeholders to consider different perspectives in the debate.

1. Watch the clip.
How does this
connect to
‘distribution’?
Connect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ER_q0B1-I

2. Making the most of the lesson
In todays lesson you will look at remaining factors affecting the
distribution process.
All information that we cover today will cover vital information for
your case study.
• Use subheadings
• Use a highlighter pen or underline key words and facts (dates,
sales figures, company names etc)
• SHARE your thoughts and ideas
• NOTE down your own independent thoughts and ideas
• Compare the two films. Always consider how this is better or
worse (for want of a better expression) than the alternate film
• Consider how this was received by or impacts on an audience
Connect

3. • What does this tell you about the role of independent and
conglomerate companies in the film industry?
• What does this tell you about the viewing habits of the
British public?
Discover
Read through the information on the next slide and note down any key
information you think will prove significant to your case study.

4. • In 2010, the top 10 distributors had a 94%
share of the market. The remaining 88
distributors handled a total of 379 titles, 62%
of the films on release, but gained only a 6%
share of the box office.
• The leading distributor was Warner Bros, which
released three of the UK’s top five films of
2010, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Part 1, Alice in Wonderland and Inception.
However, things have changed. In 2013……..
Warner Bros grossed
£187.7 million in 2010
Develop

5. http://www.movieinsider.com/movies/
busiest/2013/
Discover

6. Distribution
Read through the following responsibilities of a
distributor of a major cinema release.
How might the following affect them?
• Developments in technology - Samuel, Hayley
• Finance - Aaron, Othman
• Dwindling audience sales - Caleb, Omari
• Timescale - Javan
• Piracy - Jeremina
Discover

7. A distribution companies key responsibilities
• Film Print Distribution/Management
• Theater deliveries & pick-ups
• Lab-to-distribution center
transportation
• Inventory management
• Studio account management
• EDI order transmissions
• Theater-to-theater circuit
management
• 24/7/365 customer service
• Exhibition communication
• Capability to communicate quickly to
all theaters via mass faxing
• Group sales lines
• Damaged reel/print replacement
services
• Screening security shipments
• Quality check of prints before re-
release
• Film destruction/recycling
• Trailer recycling program
Screen Advertisement Fulfillment
• Rolling stock film advertisement
distribution
• Composite advertising spot creation for
rolling stock pre-features
• Daily inventory reporting, shipment/proof
of delivery reporting and affidavit
management
• Inbound, outbound and return shipments
of all advertising spots

8. Marketing Material Fulfillment
• Logistics management/fulfillment for all cinema promotional
materials – one-sheets, trailers, standees, press kits, etc.
• Fulfillment and logistics management for special events, conventions
and festivals
• State-of-the-art Oracle system - increases visibility and security for
studio clients
• Customized website (COOL) enables real time product
inventory/management
• Daily inventory audit and control features
• Warehouse security for premium items
• Use of integrated carriers
• Proof of deliveries
• Specialized projects
• Customized packaging and kit fulfillment
• Barcode scanning capabilities
• Customized shipping labels
• Trailer breakdown
• Trailer return/recycling program

9. Distribution also concerns the print and physical
distribution of the film stock to cinemas.
Distributors must consider Circulation:
• how many copies of the film should be circulated
to cinemas.
• Each print costs around £1000.
• The distributor should decide whether the film
requires a ‘saturation release’ (700-1000 prints)
or an ‘art-house release’ (around 20 prints)
Discover
Key
word!

10. ‘Pacific Rim’
requires 7 reels of
film for cinema
exhibition.
(35mm for
standard cinema
release or 70mm
for Imax or 3D)
Discover

11. How do you think that these printing and
circulation costs impacted on ‘A field in
England’ and ‘Pacific Rim’?
Were they a saturated or art house release?
Working in pairs, find out how many cinemas
each film was initially released in in the UK?
How many were 35mm or 70mm?
Develop

12. A Field in England -
Distribution
• ‘A Field in England’ is among the first films to
receive backing from the BFI Distribution
Fund’s New Models strand, supporting
innovative and ambitious release models that
explore new ways to bring films to audiences.
The film’s multi-platform release is the result
of a partnership between Film4, Picturehouse
Entertainment, 4DVD and Film4 channel,
enabling viewers to decide how, where and
when to view the film.
http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/field-england-marks-uk-distribution-first
Develop

13. http://www.bfi.org.uk/film-industry/lottery-funding-distribution/distribution-fund
Develop

14. What do we find out about the
distribution stage of ‘a field in
England’?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh4RlsSkbCg
Develop

15. The future of distribution?
• In a historic step for Hollywood, Paramount
Pictures has become the first major studio to
stop releasing movies on film in the United
States.
• Paramount recently notified theater owners
that the Will Ferrell comedy “Anchorman 2:
The Legend Continues,” which opened in
December, would be the last movie that
would it would release on 35-millimeter film.
Develop

16. Debate!
‘The distribution process
benefits all areas of the film
industry.’
Discuss
In order to prepare for the debate, you will be given a hand out of
information on distribution.
Use this as a resource to support your argument. Go through and highlight
key points that may support either side of the debate. This is important and
will help you to see both sides of the argument (which could surface as a
question in the exam).
Develop

17. Debate!
‘The distribution process
benefits all areas of the film
industry.’
Discuss
Take a card.
Think about the implications of the distribution process upon the company
or individual on your card.
Use this view point to direct you in the debate. Does your company or
individual benefit from distribution?
Develop

18. You are an independent film
maker. You have struck a deal
with a major distribution
company.
You are an independent film
maker. You are currently
struggling to find a distributor for
your amazing new film.
You are an independent film
company. You have an amazing
film in pre-production. The
successful distribution company
that you have been liaising with
wants you to change your script
drastically before it will agree to
a deal.
You are a successful production
company, part of a vertically
integrated conglomerate.
You are a successful distribution
company whom is part of a
vertically integrated
conglomerate.
You are planning to distribute a
film for your sister company.
You are a manager for an
independent cinema.
You are an indie film fan. You live
in a small town and your nearest
cinema is an Odeon.
You are a film fan. You enjoy big
block buster, action films. You
live in a small village in the
country and cannot get to the
cinema.
You are a manager of an Odeon
cinema in central London.
You are the star actor in the film.
In your contract you have agreed
to attend world wide premieres
for the film and attend media
interviews on TV, radio and over
the phone to promote the film
You are a large conglomerate.
Your latest block buster film has
been produced, distributed and
exhibited by your subsidiaries.