What is film distribution? What is the connection between a movie and its audience? How do movies reach their audience?
In a world filled with streaming services and on-demand entertainment, it may come as a surprise that most films are still distributed through traditional routes.
The distribution process is an essential part of the filmmaking industry, yet can be an often overlooked aspect for aspiring filmmakers. Film distribution determines how viewers access films and how much money is made from them.
It’s a robust ecosystem with different stakeholders and multiple pathways that help deliver cinema from production to the cinema screen and eventually to your screen at home.
In this article, we will look in depth at what film distribution is, who’s involved in the process, and why it’s important for filmmakers everywhere.
What is Film Distribution?
Film distribution is the process of making a movie available for viewing by audiences.
This involves releasing the film into cinemas and other theaters, distributing it to streaming platforms, DVD sell-through and video on demand services, and through international sales.
Distribution will typically be done through a variety of channels, including third party distributors such as Universal Pictures, independent companies such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, or even directly to viewers via digital outlets such as iTunes.
The Role of Film Distribution
When filmmakers complete their projects, they are often left with one main question: how do I get people to see this film? One way is through distribution.
Film distribution is the process of getting a movie made available to audiences – whether it’s in theatres where viewers can watch the screening of a movie or at home where people can rent it through iTunes.
The right distributor can take care of all aspects of marketing and promotion so that the film will have higher chances of success in its release or distribution cycle.At its core, film distribution involves getting films from their production studio to audiences all over the world.
This involves a wide range of activities, from developing relationships with international distributors to supplying posters and other promotional materials for local cinemas.
The distribution process also involves setting up digital platforms for films to be released worldwide via streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
Types Of Distribution
There are several ways that movies can be distributed, but generally they fall into two categories: theatrical releases and home releases.
Theatrical releases involve screenings in cinema halls across the world while home releases are achieved via packaged DVD sets or digital platforms like VOD (video on demand).
Depending on how widely a filmmaker wants their feature-length production to reach hundreds or thousands audience members worldwide – there’s an option for any budget.
The Right Distributor
When filmmakers select a distributor for their work, they must pick someone who feels like the right fit for both the project itself as well as any festivals associated with the project.
It’s important to consider your own goals for your production before selecting a service provider who specializes in different methods of distribution depending on what fits best with what you need – be sure that you’re making an informed decision when partnering up with your selection!
In today’s competitive market it’s essential that you choose someone who has experience working in multiple outlets since there are many different avenues when it comes to film distribution.
Things like securing foreign rights deals, handling closed captioning services, dealing with publicity needs may not be considered unless you choose an experienced distributor!
Conclusion
Though understanding what film distribution entails is crucial information to know; having help from an industry expert is invaluable when considering something as massive as creating a customized method for releasing your project! Do great research when deciding who would be best suited for your next feature-length production because ultimately having someone knowledgeable about each element involved guarantees maximum potential success potential with little stress involved in contrast from managing every aspect on your own alone!
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