The role of the distruibutor

The role of the distruibutor is very important and vital how the film is going to succeed is the film industry. Right at the heart of the industry, there is a dynamic sector working to deliver the largest possible audience to every new release. Distruibutor decides how and when a film is going to release considering the followings:
1)identifying its audience.
2)considering why they would go and see it.
3)estimating the revenue potential across all the formats of its release.
4)developing plans and partnerships.
5)aiming to convert as much interest as possible into cinema visits.

6)persuading exhibitors to play the film.

It is a challenging market place whereas there are lots of other options of entertainment inside and outside home, and besides there are more than 500 new releases every year. In order to sustain in the market, distributors need to build release strategy.












As in other countries, the UK has half a dozen major distributors which are directly affiliated to the Hollywood studios, and many independent distributors who tend to handle films make outside the major studios. When considering acquiring a new film, distributors will look for distinguishing features that may help sell it to audiences. They ask questions such as Who is the target audience? Who does the film speak to most of all and who might also be attracted? Do the story, characters and situation grip the intended audience?Does the film deliver and justify the costs of a theatrical release?
The most important strategic decisions a distributor makes are when and how to release a film in order to optimise its chances. Through a combination of market knowledge, commercial experience, statistical research and professional judgement, distributors gauge the audience for each film and set clear targets for the release. A detailed understanding of the target audience - age group and gender, but also lifestyles, social networks, media consumption patterns - always informs the subsequent decisions on how and where a particular films is promoted.
Complementing the distribution plan, every film has a detailed marketing plan. The marketing objective is to create visibility, raise awareness and engage interest, cutting through the blizzard of competing messages. When constructing a campaign, distributors aim to reach as much of their target audience as possible, as frequently but cost effectively as possible. A variety of complementary advertising, publicity and other options are always considered:

• Poster, the image or artwork distilling the appeal and positioning of the films, stars, genre, credits and often a tagline to what audiences' appetites.
• Trailers, distributors usually have a range of audio-visual content to work with as they prepare campaignes, including film clips apporved by the producers. Probably the single most cost-effective marketing technique.
• Mobile and online, The web helps distributors to start building awareness of a new film at an early stage. They may gradually accelerate the flow with video diaries or blogs from the set, so the core audience feel part of the filmmaking process.
• The immediacy of social media, the internet being a two-way street. Not just opinions, but content too, can spread virally like wildfire via Facebook and Twitter.
• Broadcast, ambient and print media, advertising placed on broadcast channelt, outdoor panels and mags.

Promotional partnerships, depending on the film's theme and target audience, the distributor will endeavour to arrange promotional partnerships. Such as merchandising, many releases, particularly family films, have merchandising programmes co-ordinated by the film company or an external consultancy. Manufacturers may be licensed to use approved logo devices, images or character likenesses on specific products.

Distributors' publicists organise premieres as an official launch for a film, reflecting an event stature and providing a platform for photo opportunities and red carpet interviews. Star-studded premieres and after-show parties are covered by celebrity publications and new media, and often transmitted worldwide.



bibliography:http://www.launchingfilms.tv/marketing.php.