Evaluation Activity 3

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

A production company is a company which is responsible for the production of performing arts. The company is responsible for developing and physically producing performing arts, film, radio, or television programs. It also functions to raise funds for a particular production project by itself or through an intermediary. The production company may be small one, which works by producing and selling its products to various film studios, or it can be the studio itself. These companies gain profit from the sales of their products. In the contemporary society, the concept is of small production companies who sell their programs to big studios or channels and gain huge profits in return. Moreover, production companies which are involved in direct presentation of programs gain profits from the advertising revenue. The profits or losses of production companies depend on the quality of programs and their appreciation amongst viewers. If the product is appreciated by the viewers, it would generate profits; however, if the viewers are not satisfied by it, it would be a flop and consequently result to losses for the production company.

There are two different film production company forms in the contemporary society; independent films, and mainstream Hollywood blockbuster films. Hollywood blockbuster consists of mainstream characteristics such as big Hollywood budget or high profile actors, which independent films lack. Independent films, also known as ‘indie films’, such as DNA, have a distinct style compromising with deeply enticing narrative that is typically appealing to the minority. On the other hand, Hollywood productions are enjoyed by the masses, shown by their immense gross statistics at the box office.

Fox Searchlight was founded in 1994, is a film division of a Fox Filmed Entertainment along with Fox Studio 20^th Century fox.  Fox Searchlight specialize in independent British films, often having the genre of comedy drama and horror as we as non-English films.  Fox Searchlight are often involved in the production and distribution of films. As we are an independent production company, which Fox Searchlight specializes in and past films display this fact, such as 28 Days Later.

‘One month before the film was released in cinemas, various newspapers included a short panel comic book style promotion for the film, in which various scenes showed a chaotic London during those 27 days with people trying to escape the city en masse’- From wikipedia.

Our film can use the same method of promotion, as the budget for this film was £5 million, and the Gross revenue was of $82,719,885. This shows that our film could possibly be promoted in this way as we also have a relatively small budget. Our thriller opening strongly sticks to the conventions of a thriller genre.  I feel Fox searchlight will effectively distribute and promote our film as they have good experience and specialize in independent thrillers.

Microwave films would be a good institution to distribute our product as they have released small low budget films with great success. Films such as ‘mum and dad’, were released across DVD, digital media (download/on demand via Sky) or in cinema all at the same time. This allows more flexibility with money during the advertising process of the film. Although they are a fairly new company, I think that this company has proved beneficial to films such as ‘Mum and Dad’.

Warp Films is an independent film company launched in 2001, based in England, Sheffield. They work with upcoming/distinctive film-makers, particularly film-makers who are making a statement about Britain; for example Shane Meadows. The target audience is the British (national), which is also the case with our film, as it is based in Britain, and has a British feel to it. The company attracts people who like films that are cultural, showing social realism, which many films produced by Warp Films have. Examples include ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’, ‘This Is England’, and ‘Four Lions’. Our film is also based on social realism, which is why I think this company will be good for distributing and promoting it. As Warp Films is an independent company, they have more personal projects, with a smaller budget. Therefore, smaller audiences are needed to make a profit, or break-even. Our film is of a relatively small budget, which is another reason I believe this company will be successful in promoting our project.