How Distribution in Film Works — Film Distributors Explained [Stages of Filmmaking, Ep 6]

Film Marketing Strategies Explained — a breakdown of film marketing, including types of marketing, elements in a campaign, budgets, and more.

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Special thanks to:

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Film Distribution
01:00 - The Film Distribution Process
02:06 - Chapter 1: Finding Distribution
07:36 - Chapter 2: Licensing
13:52 - Chapter 3: Delivery and Exhibition
22:10 - Takeaways

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FILM DISTRIBUTION PROCESS

It’s no secret that making a movie is hard. From writing to finding financing to shooting to editing, each step along the way has its own difficulties and potential pitfalls. Say you manage to power through each of these stages and you end up with a final product you’re proud of. First: congratulations. Second: prepare yourself– there’s much more work to come. Welcome to distribution.

WHAT IS DISTRIBUTION FILM?

In this video, we take a look at the final hurdle in the filmmaking process, distribution. Many filmmakers understand much of what goes into pre-production, production, and post-production, but when it comes to distribution, they are left befuddled and overwhelmed. To put it simply, distribution is the process in which a movie gets in front of an audience.

INDIE FILM DISTRIBUTION EXPLAINED

Obtaining distribution is never a guarantee. This is the process called acquisition, where a movie goes from a filmmaker’s hands to a distributor’s. Distributors come in many shapes and sizes, and we take a look at how to decide which type of distribution company is right for you. There’s no one answer, and there’s no one way to attract a distribution company. But one thing is always true: it’s never too early to start thinking about the process. Even in development, a filmmaker can consider what their audience may be and how they will reach them.

MODELS OF FILM DISTRIBUTION LICENSING

Once you’ve found a distributor, it’s time for the lawyer to get involved (if they aren’t already). Distribution comes with some form of licensing, where the distributor has the film’s rights transferred over to them. This is a complex exchange, and a filmmaker needs to make sure they have all of their copyrights and chains of title in order before they embark on it. Again, it’s best to lawyer up.

EXHIBITION

Exhibition takes many forms, from showing a movie to a group of friends on a TV, to a wide theatrical release. This is an area in the industry that is constantly changing, and today, it’s changing fast. Streaming, theatrical, and more are all finding their way in a new media landscape. For a filmmaker, this means keeping an open mind and going where they think the best opportunities are.

Distribution can feel like a wild rodeo, where you’re bucked this way and that before you settle into the saddle. Just keep your goal in mind: to show off the project you’ve worked so hard on. And if you make some money off of it, that’s great too.

#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking

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♬ SONGS USED:

"Cyberpunk Sunrise" - Evgeny Bardyuzha
"Blurry (Instrumental)" - Curtis Cole
"Everlasting Flower" - DaniHaDani
"War Dance (Instrumental)" - Rhythm Scott
"Glass" - Claudio Laucci
"In Love with Emi" - Fabien Fustinoni
"Life's Journey Begins" - idokay
"1986" - Angel Salazar
"All Star" - ANBR
"Curiosity" - Kevin Graham
"From a Distance (Theme from Hit TV)" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Inquisitions" - Kevin Graham
"A Battle in the East" - Rhythm Scott
"No Regrets" - Makeup and Vanity Set
"Wall of Fire" - Tony Anderson
"The Wolf, the Chase, and the Victor" - Dexter Britain
"Neon Sun" - Jacob Montague
"I Have a Plan" - Borrtex
"New World" - Ian Post
"Wistful (Instrumental)" - Falls
"Dojo Tradition (Instrumental)" - In This World
"Opening" - Magiksolo
"Work B****" - Britney Spears

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Looking for a project management platform for your filmmaking? StudioBinder is an intuitive project management solution for video creatives; create shooting schedules, breakdowns, production calendars, shot lists, storyboards, call sheets and more.

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#film-theory, #video-essay, #filmmaker

[kjhgk]

I never had any desire to make a film and I still don't, but this series has been such a fascinating insight into how films are made. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into them even more now. Thank you for the education!

[synechdoche]

Who needs film school when you have StudioBinder?

[classiccreepmusic]

I am a product manager for an independent film distributor so my department would even be a small chapter of its own between licensing and delivery. The journey of a movie from the first creative idea to being on someones random Netflix watchlist is so long and I am always amazed how many people are involved. I just love experiencing this industry.

[ResizeFilms]

Securing distribution on major streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime is challenging for small production companies and indie filmmakers, but it’s not impossible.
For us, having a distributor on board early is crucial in this competitive landscape, and we’re doing all we can to ensure our documentary film finds its home.

[meiji_apollo]

I wonder how many people are involved in making a single Studiobinder video! So well-made every time

[bargrau]

I’m a simple guy. I see a new studiobinder video I watch and like 👍

[edrismatu]

The business side of the creative world is such an amazing part of the art. 🤗

[eumeis]

It is a delight every time the vid starts and it is THIS narrator. Dude, you are BY the best ever narrator, maybe the absolute only on a par with david attenborough. I wish i could narrate more like you. Any chance you could suggest practice materials for improvement? Or even make a vid about it?

[rayancedrichaddad]

It's a complete audiovisual encyclopedia about the Distribution process in Filmmaking. Very Useful and Inspiring video. Thousand Thanks StudioBinder. Keep going. Best Continuation to come for you.💯💯💯

[solertia]

For a film to make it through all of these stages, it really is a miracle.

[djshaneomac]

I take notes on every video i watch. 1 video a day. I am learning the ins and outs. I am also applying some of these strategies to negotiate deals with places for me to DJ like how to negotiate my split with them overtime, who controls rights to filmed media, where it can be released. Alos i learned how to budget market and to research the place to see how we will write out the terms. And lastly to be strategic with dates not to rival an in town celebrity for atandees. I have 3 pages of notes. Thanks.

[robertobuatti]

I remember when Jurassic Park was first released in theaters in 1993 it played at the theaters for a couple of months and that's not the only movie, back then movies used to play longer at theaters, now they just rush films out so fast out of theaters and that could potentially hurt the movie financially as audiences might not know that that particular movie is playing and might miss out, streaming cannot be as successful because not everyone will have that particular streaming service but if the movie played solely in theaters without subscribing to any streaming service it can be watched by a wider audience and therefore it do better at the Box Office but streaming it's way too divided.

[TrouvatkiDePercusion]

I almost feel obligated to support these guys through whatever means (Patreon, SubscribeStar, or whatever). I can't believe this channel is free. This is amazing!

[freddyjosereginomontalvo]

Seeing this channel gives me memories about my sister and me as a childs seeing the behind the scenes of our favorite movies with our mother and father.
Very good times
Thanks for the awesome videos as always say 🌍🌟🔥

[kumahstudios]

We just started learning on distribution but here comes Studio Binder to save the day.😃😃

[JOESUBA]

I am an actor turned film maker and this is great! I am learning so much

[Can-.]

Thanks always wondered how they distributed films, waited for you guys to make a video on it. Your videos are like the film school of youtube!

[aliabbasrajani]

Before clicking the play button, I hit the like button because I know I am gonna anyway love the video in the end. Studio under supremacy 👏

[daniellatteo_thefilmmaker]

Amazing guys!... In less than 30 minutes you were able to give us some precious tools to tread the bumpy road of distribution.
Unbelievable!!

[Chill_Mode_JD]

Studio Binder distributes knowledge to my brain ball 🧠🎬