Distribution Plan

My distribution plan would be to put it into a film festival based on my genre which is horror/suspense. I would see how the reception of the film would go and if I was a winning a title. If I did not win that film festival then I would go to another. If the film wins there then I would be more likely to have a distributor see my film and invest in my film. I would hire a sales agent to help with finding deals. I would get a contract with the film distributor to do the marketing campaigns. Depending on the distributor, I would either exclusively be on their streaming service such as Netflix or Disney+ but if not then I would have my film be streamed with multiple streaming services if my contract allows that. If I have a theatrical release of the film then contract allows to aim that way then I would put it on VOD, DVD/Blu-Ray for more revenue.

Digital Distribution - Searching

Apparently the film Searching is only distributed on Amazon. Just like Netflix, the film is only on one distribution streaming site. This movie can be rented or bought on Amazon and the only other option is to buy on DVD/Blu-ray. Amazon is a big distribution site, so the film Searching will be able to viewed by those that have STARZ subscription or Amazon account. This film will be able to be known because have a broad range of audience that would be intrigued with this film.

I will take away from this distributor is need a big company that is well known to be able have consumers be able to rent or buy it. This helps me understand the economics that a film will not be able to hold up if there is no digital distributor willing to distribute my film. The revenue after the run in of the theater, the revenue would decrease.

Digital Distribution - Captive State

Captive State has digital distribution on many platforms except Netflix. It is on Amazon which is a big distributor too. They have a world wide market with 95 million subscribers to Amazon Prime. Amazon is a global company so it would be able to have people access anywhere in the world. It also on Vudu which is a big streaming site that people are able to rent the film or by the film instead of getting it on DVD. YouTube also is a big streaming site, although it is relative new, it is projected to have 2 million subscribers in 2019. These stream sites allow many consumers to go onto different platforms to buy the film which is extra revenue coming in after the initial theater cost.

I will take from this by understanding that digital distribution is not going away anytime soon, so must embrace the services provided to get my film out further. This presents an opportunity to get more money from the movie if they are streamed on multiple sites than just one. I will get my film out there more and is not limited to one audience which is good because more publicity which means more people will know about the film.

Digital Distribution - Bird Box

This is digitally distributed to those with Netflix only. So, Bird Box can only be seen by those that have Netflix. Though it is not a cut off to having more of a market if they were with other digital distributors because Netflix is one of the top distributors that majority of people know by name. They will also have a reliable viewing because Netflix has it featured when it came out. So, when the subscribers enter into Netflix, that is the first item shown. There are 151 million subscribers world wide which is a wide target audience to be interested in this film. Also, once it is watched by those that have subscribed, it can be spread by word of mouth throughout various countries to go and recommend watching the film. This will then encourage more people to subscribe to Netflix which is good for Netflix as well as the producers of the film because that would mean that there is potential that Netflix will sponsor or help produce another film which is what is wanted. It shows that they are able to create a top rated film and secured a spot for future investments from one of the top distributors.

I would incorporate this strategy because would need a big distributor that is known worldwide. It needs to be secured that they have a big audience that is worldwide. Need to secure a spot to be featured by the distributor to get my film out. Make a deal to have a chance that if the film is successful and once it is successful then be able to work with Netflix on another film.

Traditional Distribution

Traditional Distribution would use sales agents to get the films out there. This consists of distribution of cinema chains, TV networks, and video on demand (VOD). Also, distribute to hotels and airlines to show the trailers or advertise the film. The film festival is another way to distribute film. These festivals have distributors that can go and preview the film before they decide to take the film on and market it. Theatrical release is another traditional method. The film if having enough funds will go to theaters all over to have the audience be able to view the show. VOD is another option which allows the film to skip theatrical release and give it directly to the audience.

Marketing Plan

Based on my research I did my own poster. Although is not look as professionally done as the ones I researched, I took elements from the films. For instance, the dark/black colored poster was inspired by the film Searching. The red was inspired by the red in the poster Captive State. The idea of the missing poster was inspired by the film Searching, this is due to having missing posters in the trailer about the protagonists missing daughter. It would also make sense in my film because Bibi goes missing and Rebecca and Abby must find her before its too late. The font of the screen was supposed to resemble music note or letters. 

The type of ads I would use to advertise would be that of television, social media to get the word out and spread promotional ads, another would be having movie posters. I would also have trailers to show some hidden details of the film but not giving away the whole plot. I would create a social media interaction or challenge like Netflix did. For publicity, I would do interviews with the director and the actors that played in the film like some of the previous research films have done. I would also have unique looking billboards such as what Bird Box did to integrate the ad to a building like it belonged there.