Film distributor:
The film distributor is the
organization responsible for coordinating the distribution of the finished
movie to exhibitors, as well as the sale of videos, promotion and other media
versions of movies. There are two types of distributors: 2) Big companies: for
example Warner Bros., Sony and Disney. 2) Independent distributors: Momentum, lions
gate.
Big companies:
Warner Bros.- The company was originally created by four brothers, Harry, Albert, Jack and Samuel Warner. They began by showing movies in theatres they had bought in the 1900's, then they moved onto film distribution. By 1913 they began to produce their own films and moved to Hollywood. However, during the 1920's they ran into financial difficulty and were then known for their tightly budgeted, technically competent entertainment films. Following this the company started a craze in gangster films which included 'Scarface' (1932) and 'The Public Enemy' (1931).
Today, they are the most successful and popular film distribution company, with a total gross wealth of
$29,135,050,869.
Independent companies:
Lion gate films- The company was created in 1998 by Frank Giustra, an investment banker wanting to capitalise the ever expanding film industry. There first major box office success was 'American Psycho' (2000) which generated $34,266,564 in box office sales. Other notable films include 'Saw' (2004) and 'The Hunger Games' (2012). Lion Gate is currently the largest and most successful independent film distributor in America with a total revenue of $1.584 billion.
Process of creation:
Pre-Production- Arrangements made before the start of filming, including script writing and editing, set construction, location scouting and casting.
Production- This is when the principle photography and filming takes place.
Post-Production- This is work performed on the movie after the end of filming and photography. This involves editing, visual effects, sound editing and music score.
Examples of stages in the process:
Pre-Production- Casting: This begins with the directors vision. They will then consider three different things when casting actors. 1) Physical characteristics- physique, facial features, voice qualities. 2) Acting ability- body language, mannerisms, emotions, vocal effects. 3) Character types- personality traits, public expectations.
-Steven Spielberg, a director once said "Sometimes the best thing I can do is cast the movie well. If you cast well then half the battle is already won. You've reached into a crowded world and pulled a man, a women, or a child from thin air and plugged them into your vision."
Production- Production design: This is the physical world of the film- the mise-en-scne. This includes, sets, scenery, location, props, costumes, make up and hair.
Cinematography: This is the filming and is done so to the directors vision. This involves the placing of the camera in each shot, the light in each scene and shot, and finally the framing of the shot.
Post-Production- Film editing: This is were the film is put together in the vision of the director. This involves the raw footage being cut and spliced to join shots, then its edited to create a smooth flow of shots with the correct timings. All this put together creates the rough cut, which then goes on to be tweaked and finished to create the final film as distributed into cinemas.
Distributor of my film:
If my opening sequence were to be developed into a film, the company which would distribute it would be Hammer Horror Productions. Although Hammer Horror no longer produce films, it would have been an ideal company to do so, due to it being based in the UK and due to the fact it only produces horror films. When Hammer Horror were still in production, they produced thrillers, gothic horror, science fiction and film noir, including 'Dracula', 'The Mummy' and 'Frankinstein'. They enjoyed worldwide success and I feel this would have been a perfect company to carry forward my story. However, in 2007 it was rumoured that £25m would be spent on developing and producing new horror films- which makes the prospects of my film more likely to be produced by them!
'500 days of summer' (2009)
