Evaluation- Part Three

Evaluation Question 3
What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why?
If we had a completed film, it would most likely not be distributed by large distribution companies and shown in cinema chains such as Odeon or Cineworld because:

• It is a low budget film with a small cast, and would be termed a B- Movie.
• It is an amateur student film made by a team with minimal filming experience, with an unknown cast.
• Film noir is an out- dated genre which has practically disappeared sine the 1960s, and may not be popular with a modern audience.

For these reasons, even a finished film would not achieve a nation-wide release, but may be bought by independent cinemas for short- term release, with a run of days rather than weeks. However, with no guarantee of success beyond a niche audience, even independent cinemas may not buy the film to show.

Other platforms that might distribute the film are festivals and the internet. Film festivals can focus on a certain genre, so a film noir orientated festival would be an appropriate function to screen at. Student film festivals, specifically for the presentation of amateur films made by students, would also give our film a chance to be viewed fairly along other films made with similar resources.

The internet is also a cheap and accessible platform for film distribution, available to the public. The website can be advertised on other, similar sites, and may help the film gain recognition in a select group of the public who are well versed with the internet.

The problem with any distributor is selling the idea to them. As film noir has not been a truly successful genre in decades, it would be difficult in persuading a film company that "The Case" would earn them much money. However, if a distributor is taken on board, then they can assist in the making the production more marketable, creating a high profile advertising campaign, paying to advertise to the public from the streets, on billboards, for example.

"The Case" is produced by "Eyeless Productions," who would specialise in low budget Thrillers and niche genres such as Film Noir, similar to such film companies as Eagle-Lion Films, the small film- making company active in the 1940s and early 50s. It would aim to entertain through the power of its exciting narrative and storylines, rather than through special effects.

Many classic films noir were co-produced by Hollywood companies with skilled directors for low budgets. One company still active today that was involved in these is Universal, which co-produced films such as "The Killers" (Siodmak, 1946). Another company that assisted in Film Noir productions was United Artists.

With a high-profile production company assisting in the co-production of a film, good advertising and organisation of budget become more assured. However, for a student- made film, these resources are harder to come by.