Film Distribution

How the distribution of a film actually works

One person has the initial idea for a possible film

1.

That person then creates a synopsis in order to intrigue people in the idea

2.

The rights to the film are then purchased by a film studio or

an independent investor

3.

A team of professionals is brought together to create the film

Screenwriter Producer

Director

Film Crew Cast

4.

Once the film has been completed, it is sent to the studio or independent investor

who owns the rights to the film

5.

6. A licensing agreement is then made between the studio/independent investor

and a suitable distribution company

6.5.Vertical Integration

Vertical integration is when a parent company owns multiple companies across different stages of the industry: Disney is a really

good example of vertical integration.

Companies tend to vertically integrate because then they have more control over the film, it’s more cost effective and the company also has more freedom to do different and more versatile films.Because Disney owns companies like Miramax, they are able to produce films such as ‘Scream’ and ‘Scary movie’ without upsetting Disney's target audience.

7. It is then up to the distribution company to decide on the quantity of copies of the film

to create

The distribution companies present/show the movie to possible buyers that represent the cinemas

8.

9. The buyers representing the cinemas negotiate with the distributors about the

terms and conditions of the lease and which films they would like to buy

10. Cinemas receive the printed copies of the films a few days before they will be shown

11. The film is then shown in the cinema for a number of weeks and people buy

tickets to go and watch it

12. After the film has been at the cinema for a number of weeks, the print is sent back to

the distributor and the cinema pays the company to abide by the leasing agreement

I used this website: entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-distributionTo gather my research and information that I have

used in this presentation.