How the film industry operates

      -      What does a producer do?

Producers look for a great idea for a film, something they feel will attract audiences. They are in a good position and know what sells as they are constantly viewing films.

They make an idea into reality and get it made and realised. Producers are often the commercial driving force behind the whole project.

 

-      What does a director do?

A director will work with the producer – developing the idea into something which can be filmed. They are able to visualise the script and turn it into reality: they know how to take a story and put it onto a screen.

 

-      Why is it important to have a ‘named’ director?

It is important to have a well-known director because this also helps in getting a good writer. It can also help the producer find money to develop the script.

 

-      How do agents make their living?

They act on behalf of the director to get the best deal in return for their time and skills. The agent then takes a percentage cut.

 

-      What role does a ‘production company’ play in getting a film made?

Producer persuades Production Company that the film will make profits, in return for development money the company asks for the right to take outcome of the development process and to be involved with the making of the film.  So they give finance in order for the film to be developed.

 

-      What is a distributor?

The distributor is the rights of the film – these are distributed/ shared through different subjects E.g. Cinema, DVD etc.

The distributor may also set the release date and the method in which the film is exhibited.

-      Why is the film trailer so important?

A trailer sells the key elements of the film to the right audiences. It must showcase the value of the film to the industry audience and should present the selling points/ what is unique in the film.

-      What is a sales pack? And why is it so important?

It contains key information and marketing materials needed to sell the film to the distributors and holds key information about the cast and crew, a synopsis of the finished film and information about targeted audiences.

 

-      What is a sales package?

An example of a sales package: If a distributor holds the rights to the latest Tom Cruise film, they can use this as a bargaining tool to persuade the exhibitors to take some of their less commercial products – this means smaller UK distribution companies start at a disadvantage and may find it hard to get their films out onto the big screen.

 

-      What is above the line marketing?

The potential audience for the film is targeted with posters, cinema trailers, TV spots and other marketing materials.

 

-      Why are new marketing models so important?

The consumer is constantly bombarded with information, opinion and advertising on a constant basis – this means film has become harder to notice. So by advertising through specialist digital television channels and the internet – distributors are able to target those people most relevant to their marketing objectives. (This reduces wasting money advertising for it to be ignored.)

 

-      Why is a films ‘opening weekend’ box office so important?

The data is continuously collected ad used to decide which films to cancel or prolong – if a film underperforms then the cinemas cannot afford to take the risk in losing valuable income and so the film will be cancelled.

 

-      Why are DVD sales still very important to the film industry?

DVD is seen as a platform from which to gain the more lucrative sales. Many films which fail at box office recover with the release of the DVD. DVD has also seen some instances of re-released films!