Lesson 1. The Film Industry Contexts - Distribution & The Role of the Distributor (45 mins)
Film Distribution describes everything that happens in between production (making the film) and exhibition people watching the film in cinemas or on DVD, on television, via the internet or on a plane, or anywhere else). Far from being straightforward, distribution involves all of the deals done to get films shown (many films never get seen) and, just as importantly, marketed.
Watch the two short documentaries on this Hub page and make notes on what the various industry insiders say about what distributors are, what a distributor does, and how it may have changed in recent years.
By the end of this lesson you should have a good idea of what film distribution is all about, and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-the-film-industry-contexts---distribution-and-the-role-of-the-distributor
Lesson 1 Homework. Listen to part 2 of the podcast The Business of Film - Getting to the Screen and make notes on the role of the distributor in the modern film industry. (45 mins)
Full details here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-1-homework-the-business-of-film---getting-to-the-screen
Lesson 2. The Film Industry Contexts - Marketing (30 mins)
Film Marketing is the practice of promotion specifically in the film industry, and usually occurs in coordination with the process of film distribution.
Watch the short documentary and add to your notes on Film Distribution. What do the various industry insiders say about how the film marketing works, and has changed in recent years.
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing
Lesson 2 Homework: Carefully read the case study on the film Cloverfield (2008). By the end of this process you should have a good idea of what film marketing is all about and have some examples to illustrate those ideas.
You might even want to watch the film if the marketing has been successful...unless you're too...scared... (also available on Netflix) (60 mins+film watching?). Add to your notes from Lesson 1 homework.
Homework reading task here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/the-marketing-of-cloverfield-2008
Film available here:
https://learning.alleyns.org.uk/film-studies/year-12-film-studies/02-critical-approaches-to-filmukus-cinema-section-a/contemporary-british-film/mfg---ex-machina-remote-lessons/week-3---film-marketing-and-distribution/lesson-2-the-film-industry-contexts---marketing/cloverfield-2008
Nothing separate to submit for your homework, just your notes from this week's lessons.
This blog has been brought out of retirement to help students access remote learning materials in case any of the school systems crash. Otherwise this blog is an archive of the revision ideas, lesson notes, and homework used to help Media students at Alleyn's prepare for their A level exams since 2008. It will now be mothballed as students' work is contained on the school intranet 'the Hub'.