The Film Distributor Linking Films with Audiences What?

Identifying the key ‘selling points’ or hooks • The storyline : how it differs from other films • Genre • Themes • The key elements of the story • Who stars in the film, where was it made? • Is it a sequal to an earlier hit? • Key characters • Is it based on a well-known book? • Is it part of a franchise? • The director • Innovative special effects • Comparability - which films is it similar to? Who?

The Target Audience • Research - age, gender, lifestyles, media consumption patterns • Comparability and leisure activities of the audiences • Regionality When?

A ‘window’ when their film may sustain a run in the very crowded cinema marketplace • Track the competitors’ release schedules • Sustaining the film in the marketplace • The opening weekend Where?

Distributor books film into cinemas

Wide/Saturation (500 plus copies) Specialised (around 10 copies) • Medium – 150+ copies • Limited release – Around 30 copies How?

Marketing and Publicity Advertising The Poster Promotions

• To advertise and promote the film • Posters (supplied to cinemas) The narrative image of a film - its genre, key characters • Newspapers • How much to spend on a marketing campaign • Trailers (in cinemas and online) and setting the stars, credits • Other branded products on-pack tie-ins • Press advertising The poster gets its message across in a number of ways: (where target audiences match) • T.V. advertising • The image or images used on the poster • Shopping chains The Cost of the Campaign • Outdoor • The use of ‘star’ names/faces • Online discount sites • Websites • The size of specific words on the poster Above the Line costs • Radio advertising • The use of colour • Marketing material – trailers/posters/ advertising • Merchandise/Cross-promotion • The graphic style of any words used on the poster Viral Marketing • Buying media advertising - such as website banners, • Social media • The certificate (if known) page takeovers, outdoor posters, radio or TV spots, Build a ‘digital world’ for the film to exist inaccess newspaper /magazine advertising) to an increasingly fragmented audience Publicity The Trailer Below the Line costs • Articles or editorial interviews • Pitch editorial features to journalists/editors Creates awareness and develops a ‘want to see’ attitude • Premières of appropriate publications/programmes amongst cinema, T.V. and online audiences Social Media • Cross-promotions with partner companies • Manage visits by key cast & crew members • The teaser trailer outside the film industry including publicity junkets • The full trailer Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest, • Social media • Arrange premiere events • The T.V. spot Tumblr, Instagram and Buzzfeed users share their • Organise the supply of film images and experiences with their friends and connections production notes via online pressrooms