RESEARCH: Distribution

What is distribution?

Release of film and sustaining film in the market place, it is the delivery of a media product such as audio and video.

In the UK

Film distribution has its producers in its own rights; the success of a film is determined by how it is distributed as a DVD. And also how it is released in cinemas as well as distribution of trailers via the internet and adverts on TV.

In the USA

Local distribution is within the same country and this often happens in the USA, this is because in the USA they have their own distributors in each city and this leads to products being sold from one territory to another in order to make it a success.

Methods of distribution

Methods of distribution are important as these make or break a film; some of the methods are as follows: Social media, TV adverts, Radio adverts, Trailers, posters, magazines/ newspapers and word of mouth.

Social media

This includes websites such as Facebook, twitter and youtube where products can be put out to a huge target market and gain a lot of views/ recognition. This advertising is free and very effective as it has the ability to go viral and make the trailer well known and therefore the film would become a success.

TV/ Radio adverts

This can advertise up to 9 months before the film is released in order to gain a build up to the film. Also, this is distributed to a larger audience and enforces excitement towards the product.

Trailers

This is the main way that films are distributed as the trailer is a ‘tease’ to the actual product. It includes a lot of the story line but leaves enigma to hook the audience in and is made to capture the audience’s attention and this is distributed to make the film popular.

Posters

This is a still image from the film made to capture the audience’s attention and make an impact so that they wish to watch the product. There is limited text on a poster as the image is the main focus this is so that they know the name of the film but not much else.

Magazines/news-papers

This includes images and text about a film, it often gives reviews and this is a good way of distributing as it gives the public a clear idea as to whether or not they would enjoy the film. However sometimes these can give too much information away about the film itself or leave some enigma, so it will be easy for the public to decide whether or not this film is for them.

Word of mouth

Recommendation of a film via family or friends is always a good idea as to whether or not you will enjoy the film. So recognition of a film can get around via one another and can help in making the film popular, this is because people reply on others opinions too help them decide. 

Distribution and Marketing Companies

PLANNING: The company

RESEARCH: Marketing a trailer

Diary Update

I am now on week 6 and have completed most of my research. I have analysed 3 different genre trailers, action, horror and thriller and this has made me certain  that the genre I want to create a trailer for is thriller. This has also taught me key aspects of a trailer that I will have to include in my own production.

After analysing three trailers, I had a clear idea of the conventions included in a thriller trailer and this gave me a chance to research and experiment with some soundtracks, music and sound effects that I may want to use for the trailer. From my research I identified 8 possible tracks that I may use to overlay my trailer once it is produced and this will also help me in planning the trailer as I can use the music to help with setting the scene and causing atmosphere. 

I am slightly behind my timeline as I have not yet researched my target audience or the marketing and distribution of trailers, therefore this will be the next step over the next couple of weeks.

RESEARCH: Soundtracks

When researching thriller trailers I discovered that music, backing tracks and sound effects are just as important as the acting, filming. This is because without the music there is lack of tension, emotion and build up to the broken equilibrium. So this was a huge thing i needed to consider with my research as i need to consider the fact that the music plays 40% of the final role of the mood of the trailer and making or breaking it fulfilling the genre of the trailer.

This is a potential track for my thriller genre as it is repetitive with a build up and gives the feeling of tension, this could work well in building suspense in my Thriller trailer as it is creepy and connotes fear.


This is another potential soundtrack for my thriller genre trailer. I prefer this as and I intend to use the music from 1:24- 1:150 as i feel this part of the track is very intense and creepy. This will be good to use in building suspense when the equilibrium is broken in the trailer.


This is a potential track I will use with the 'happier' moments of my trailer as the thriller genre is a contrast of happy to a change in sadness, fear or anger. I may use some of the track and if I do I will use the first 30 seconds as I feel the track without music is more effective over my trailer.

This is a more upbeat fun song, it reminded me of summer and in the thriller genre it typically starts off as happy then as todorovs theory says the equilibrium is broken. Therefore I need some upbeat/ happier music in my trailer as well. I intend to use a snippet from this from 0:8 until 0:20 as it is a fun feeling song and will set the mood of the trailer as a happy one which will help with Todorov's theory, before the change in mood and equilibrium.


This is an option I found to use but have decided against. I thought it might be good to use as it is quite 'angry' music however I do not feel this type of track will fit in with my trailer very well.


This is a sad song which backing track sounds similar to a child's lullaby and due to my main actress being only 10 this could fit in well with the emotion of sadness and her youth. This could be used for a short few seconds to reflect the youth and tension of the situation in the trailer.


This is also a potential track i will use as it is very tense and creepy. This can be used to connote danger and fear which links in with todorovs theory of the change in equilibrium.


Finally, i will use this effect in my trailer to show the change in equilibrium and show that Props theory is present with the victim and villain. This will show the thriller genre hybrid of horror and show that the protagonist has been possessed in the thriller trailer.

Research: Gone Girl Trailer Analysis

I have chosen to analyse 'Gone Girl' trailer, this is because it is my favourite psychological thriller and was what made chose to make my own thriller trailer. It is a quick paced, scary film which uses a lot of conventions that I want to include in my own trailer, such as quick cut editing, massive amount of enigma and low key lighting. I will not use the non-diegetic voice over as this will not fit in with my trailer, however I find this is very effective therefore I am going to use an overlay of music instead. This trailer is so captivating and makes you want to re watch it incase you missed anything the first time, this is something I am going to try and achieve in order to build enigma and hook in the audience.