Foundation Portfolio Evaluation
By
Rhys
Ward
What kind of media institute might distribute your media product and why?
I am in two minds of whether to go with either a large or small distribution company for multiple different reasons. My overall aim when it comes to distributing my product would be to have it shown in as many places as possible to maximise sales and in turn profits.
I would like a smaller organisation, such as StudioCanal, to distribute my product mainly for financial reasons. A smaller organisation would not cost as much money as a large organisation, like Warner Bros., as they would not be able to offer as many services as these industry leaders. My film opening would not have a huge budget as it is, therefore using a cheaper distribution company would allow me to utilise the budget more effectively on other elements, including production, post-production and general marketing. Additionally with my production being small in itself, there would be no need at all for the services that a company, such as Warner Bros., can offer. Looking back to my aim, I think it would be difficult to achieve this with the outcome using a smaller organisation, like StudioCanal, because they do not have access to the appropriate resources that a larger organisation would.
On the other hand however, a larger organisation would be able to promote my film in so many more ways and maximise the box office returns much more. Horror and paranormal films are really popular with my target audience and a large distribution company would be able to take advantage of this. Although there would be a higher cost for using a larger distribution company over a smaller distribution company the benefits may outweigh the risks; the major benefit being a greater box office return. Again looking back at the aim for the distribution of my film opening, this option of using a larger organisation would be a much better choice because they would provide me with a better opportunity for my film to reach the most vast audience possible.
In my research and planning I found out about the different ideologies that Warner Bros. and Warp Films had, and this has played a large part in my decisions. Although Warp Films are not a distribution company, their ideologies are still relevant as a smaller distribution company are likely to have the same ideologies.
Smaller organisations, such as StudioCanal, are going to be more in to distributing smaller films that promote inspiring and developing new/amateur film makers. This is because they work side by side with similar smaller film production companies, like Warp Films, that have similar ideologies. For example Warp Films “give freedom to artists and create artist driven content,” and this highlights that they are driven by the people they work with and not really by the money and sales aspects of film.
On the other side of the spectrum, a larger distribution company (i.e. Warner Bros.) do not focus on amateur film makers and wanting to “support creative talent”. Bigger organisations are more interested in dominating the film industry by becoming “global leaders in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment”.
When you take my aim and compare it against the ideologies of two totally contrasting organisations, you can see that it is difficult to decide which one to go with. Everyone would like to support the grassroots in the film industry and help improve the UK film industry by going with a small, independent UK film distribution company, however everyone would also like to see their film being promoted all around the world when they have chosen a large organisation. The only issue with going with a large organisation is the monetary factors, and in my case this is quite severe as I have had a next to nothing budget.
In conclusion, I have decided that I would have to use a smaller organisation to distribute my film opening. StudioCanal and similar organisations have been my choice due to the fact of a reduced cost when compared to a larger organisation, such as Warner Bros. This would mean that the final outcome of the distribution of my film opening is not going to match with my original aim; a smaller organisation will not have the resources available to be able to globally promote my film.