Evaluation Part 3

Evaluation Part 3

Our film would most likely secure a distribution deal with a distributor of independent films, most likely Momentum Pictures. Other films distributed by this company include The Woman in Black (Watkins, 2012) and the UK release of Insidious (Wan, 2010). Both of these are of a similar genre to ours, both being horror and The Woman in Black being a period gothic horror. A distributor like Momentum would be able to release the film to both a niche and a mass audience, giving our film the opportunity to be marketed in either direction. Returning to the example of The Woman in Black, this film was given a wide release due to it's $15million budget and bankable star Daniel Radcliffe. If our film were to be made properly, I would envisage it's budget being less than The Woman in Black's, probably under $5million and I would not foresee it including any bankable stars as it can occasionally retract from the realism of the film if it seems that the star is involved only due to their fame. As a distributor of independent films Momentum Pictures would be able to connect our film with the niche market.

Our film would almost definitely be an Independent UK production. To receive the greatest amount of authenticity the key talent would have to be relatively unknown and British unless stated otherwise in the script. With these assets and careful film making it would not be impossible for the production to emerge as a sleeper hit, which would fit well with the Independent film release model.

Our film would most likely rely on Web 2.0 marketing and buzz to spread awareness of it to its target audience of 15-24 year olds and white collar workers. The effectiveness of word of mouth in water cooler culture would be almost as important as the posters and trailers released via Web 2.0 and displayed in select city cinemas and regular inner city P&A locations like bus shelters and billboards. Blogs and reviews will also help to connect the film with it's target audience, as the audience targeted would most likely be predominantly middle class and of a more discerning nature. Synergistic promotional activity would not be possible due to the film being an independent production, however if the film became popular enough to warrant a wide release some symbiotic promotional activity may be a useful investment. Partners in this could include theme parks, similar to the Saw Franchise's (Various, 2004-2010) two attractions at Thorpe Park in Surrey. The original Saw film was a sleeper hit, which, like the planned marketing strategy for our film, used very little expensive advertising to promote the film.

Our film would most likely see a limited platform release, possibly being extended to a wider release in multiplex cinemas if the film proves successful with initial audiences. Art-house cinemas such as Picturehouse or Curzon would be suitable for the initial release which if successful could be extended to multiplexes like Odeon, Vue or Cineworld. Considering the initial size of the release, it would be unlikely that the film would be exhibited in many market territories even as an extended release, possibly limited only to English speaking territories or European territories. Another exhibition possibility would be a simultaneous multi-platform release, similar to the release strategy of A Field In England (Wheatley, 2013). this would include releasing the film on VOD services, DVD & BluRay and Free TV in addition to select city cinemas simultaneously. However this may damage the film's chances of receiving a successful profit as it would be very susceptible to piracy.

Release Strategy

Exhibition

An Independent Film

Distribution Deal