Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why? Jamie Male

Differences between Mainstream Films and Independent Films There are many differences between Mainstream Films and Independent Films. Mainstream films are hugely funded by other mainstream film distributers, such as Paramount, Universal and Warner Bros. All of which produce the world wide distributed blockbusters. Because of this mainstream films get a higher budget; so filmmakers can afford better equipment, well known A-listed actors more malleable locations. Mainstream films usually follow the typical codes and conventions for each genre of film. For example Thriller, mainstream Thrillers usually have a male hero with the women being helpless victims. In my opinion, mainstream films are mostly about making money, rather than developing a specific style of film. Independent films are rarely about making money and only really have a small budget compared to a big blockbuster like ‘Skyfall’ (2012) or ‘The Avengers’ (2012). Independent films are more renowned for having it’s on specific style or an original idea. However, some independent films are very successful; an example of a successful Indie film would be ‘Friday The 13th’ (1980) which then became a huge franchise. Well known Independent film studios are Optimum Releasing, Lionsgate, Revolver or Pathe.

What category does our film fall into? Mainstream or Independent? Our film ‘Latchkey Kid’ was meant to be in the style of an independent film. This is because it is a British film, we have a child as our main character/star and it wouldn’t cost much to make. Also the narrative is quite dark for a mainstream film. However it does have some typical conventions of a mainstream film. A film company that may be interested in distributing our film might be BBC Films or possibly Lionsgate because this type of film links with the styles of film they have done previously. Lionsgate have distributed many Indie films. A list of them are found on the link. Lionsgate distributed various British Thriller films, such as The Decent (2005).BBC Films LionsgateIndie films Our film wouldn’t cost a lot to create; it doesn’t need really fancy special effects and wouldn’t have well known actors. Also our film would probably be more profitable to distribute through UK-DVD release, but it may be in local single screening cinemas.

Because our film is an indie film and it may not appeal to mainstream film lovers, our film would be mainly distributed in the United Kingdom and shown in picture houses like Brighton’s Duke of York’s picture house. It would also be shown in the London Independent Film Festival or possibly London Sundance Film and Music Festival. The budget would probably only be a small amount compared to mainstream films. An example of a similar film’s box office figures would be cost the same amount to make as ‘The Night Of The Living Dead’ (1968) Budget - $114,000 (estimated) Gross - $12,000,000 (USA) ( January 2000)$30,000,000 (Worldwide) Rentals - $1,600,000 (USA)