Evaluation Q3

What kind of media institute might distribute your media product and why?

The distribution of a film/movie is the process through which a film is released so it can be viewed by an audience. Films can be released to the public in a number of ways which includes:

Standard release: this is where a film/movie is first released through movie theatres, then after approximately 16 weeks it is released onto DVD. After a number of months of being released it is finally made available free to air through the TV. This means that directors and producers have to wait a long time before the majority of its audience can watch the film. This creates a barrier to how many hits it gets in the first week or so.

Simultaneous release: this is when a film/movie is released and made available on several different mediums such as: cinema, DVD, internet, at the same time or near the same time. This is an advantage for both consumers because they can choose to watch the movie on a medium that best suits their needs and production studios that can save money by having one main market for all the releases. However distribution like this can often be regarded as experimental and may not receive a large amount of investment or promotion.

Straight to video release: This is when a film/movie is not released in theatres but is released straight onto home video formats such as DVD, VHS etc. This then allows consumers to decide whether or not they want to buy the movie and watch it.

A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home viewing such as DVD, video on demand, download, television etc. A distributor may do this directly or through theatrical exhibitors and other sub-distributors.

"Head Trauma" is a dark psychological horror film. It has been released theatrically in 15 cities.

“Head Trauma” is a psychological horror film that pushes the envelope on what is possible within an independent feature film. There are aerials, underwater sequences, stunts, cable-cam shots through treetops, and they even flooded an abandon house basement.

"The Collector" is a horror and thriller which relates to our music video in some ways
This film is based around a man who kidnaps a woman and holds her hostage just for the pleasure of having her there. This relates to our film where Megi is held hostage by a man who has abused her, but she does not know why. So both films relate to one another.


Production: This film has been produced by the Collector Company and Columbia Pictures Corporation.Columbia Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company.

A production company is responsible for physical production of new media, performing arts, radio or a television programme. The company may also be responsible for raising funds for the production. The production company may either be a small company or a large one, selling its products to a film studio or presenting it at a theatrical venue. In the case of film it may be the studio itself.

Recently there is a trend towards simultaneous release because of technological convergence, where mediums are converged together. For example viewers can watch a film by streaming online through their iphones

There are a number of distribution companies which include:

• Momentum Pictures: one of the leading independent motion picture distributors in the UK and Ireland.
• Optimum: Optimum releasing is a film distributor company working in the UK. The company releases many films but it is known for releasing foreign language films and specialises it anime releases.
• Fox Search Light: Fox Search Light specialises in independent and British films. It also specialises in dramedy and horror as well as non-English language films.
• Pathe: Pathe UK has a major presence within the UK film industry, in production, development, international sales and distribution.

After researching further into all of these distribution companies, I think the media institute that might distribute my media product is Momentum pictures. This is because they have distributed horror films like “Insidious”

Film Title: Insidious

Genre: Horror
Directed By: James Wan
Film Classification: 15
Distributor: Momentum Pictures
UK Release Date: April 29, 2011
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey

The Story in short

From the creators of ‘Saw’ and ‘Paranormal Activity’, ‘Insidious’ is an edge-of-the-seat terror with the story of a family pursued by tragedy and the supernatural.

After the family moves house, and the eldest child falls unexpectedly into a coma, a succession of unexplained events takes place shortly after. A medium informs the family that their son is in limbo between life and death, due to the evil spirits that are working on him and to save himself from them, he must move out of his body and into to the beyond.

My film “Retribution” is a thriller/horror and I think because Momentum have already distributed a film like ‘Insidious’, they know what needs to be done to get it distributed correctly. Also my film will have a young audience like ‘Insidious’ so they will already have experience in when how and who to distribute the film to.

Distribution companies are increasingly turning to online social networks and interactive digital marketing. Example include interactive trailers, video games, live satellite Q&A beamed t cinemas across the country. It also helps audiences to stage their own screenings. Momentum Pictures has been supported through this idea. For example ‘The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest’ by Steig Larsson, which was to be released on 26 November. Momentum Pictures received £200,000 extra prints, promotional activity to build the mainstream audience for the film. My film could receive funds from the UK Film Council who earn money through lotteries.