Film distribution

DISTRIBUTION

STARTER

To identify the process of film distribution and examine changes to the process over time.

The issues raised by media ownership in contemporary media practice.

• Before digital distribution of films, how would a Hollywood production company have distributed films to a Bristol cinema?

Exam info

• Look at the information on question 2 of your OCR Media exam.

• Discuss the way in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area which you have studied.

• Think of how you could answer this question for your case study films during these lessons.

Refers to the ‘coming together’ (convergence) of previously separate industries (e.g. film, publishing, computing, audio, interactive media, etc), which increasingly use the same or related technology and skilled workers. It is a feature of the contemporary media environment and is a product of mergers between companies in different business sectors. It is a logical outcome of technological development, e.g. the digital revolution.

Key Concept: Convergence

Write your own definition of Convergence in your

book. Add these terms and their definitions to your Glossary.

Key Concept: Convergence

In OCR Media Studies for AS (2008), the following definition is offered:‘Convergence describes two phenomena: First, technologies coming together, for example, a mobile phone you can use as a still and moving image camera, download and watch moving images on, use as an MP3 player and recorder and access the internet with. Second, media industries are diversifying so they produce and distribute across several media – for example, a newspaper with an online version and audio podcasts, or the coming together of videogames and films.’

Can you think of any other examples of Convergence?

Examples from our case study

• Try to find examples of convergence in the distribution and marketing of our two case study films.

Key Concept: Synergy

Describes the process by which large corporations develop, produce and market media products (and associated merchandising) across a range of media platforms – through film, music, toys, interactive media, TV programmes, etc – and the benefits of this process for these corporations, e.g. sharing costs and maximising profits. The ‘interconnectedness’ of these products produces more than the sum of their parts.

Write your own definition of Synergy in your

book.Add this term and its definition to your Glossary.

Key Concept: Synergy

In OCR Media Studies for AS (2008), the following definition is offered:

‘Synergy is the interconnected marketing and distribution of media products across a range of platforms and sectors.’

Can you think of any examples of Synergy?

Marketing Iron Man 3

The film premieres

• Read the description of the UK film premieres for ‘Iron Man 3’ and ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie’.

• Who or what are the big ‘draws’ at these premieres?

• How have the institutions influenced the ‘buzz’ around the film premieres?