The document discusses different company structures in the film industry such as conglomerates, horizontal integration, and vertical integration. It also examines the role of distribution companies in getting films from production to exhibition by organizing certification, securing exhibition outlets, arranging prints and marketing. The major film distributors that control around 90% of the market in the UK are United International Pictures, Warner Brothers, Buena Vista, 20th Century Fox, and Sony.

1. Connect
Recap from last week

2. Connect
What is Warp Film’s Budget?

3. Discover
Before we look at the process of
distribution, we must look at
company structures
Key words:
• Conglomerate
• Horizontal integration
• Vertical integration
• Parent company
• Sister company
• Subsidiary

4. Conglomerate
• a large company or media institution that owns
large numbers of companies in various mass
media outlets
• E.g
• Walt Disney Company
• News Corporation

5. Discover
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL INTEGRATION
Often a single parent company will own multiple
companies in the film industry. HORIZONTAL
The parent company
This is divided into two types of ownership: owns multiple
companies at the same
stage of the film
industry. A smaller
PRODUCTION PRODUCTION PRODUCTION company, owned by the
parent is a subsidiary.
VERTICAL
DISTRIBUTION The parent company
For example Warner Bros owns: owns:
For example Walt Disney also owns multiple
companies across
•Warner BrosFilms (Production)
•Miramax Studios different stages of the
film industry.
EXHIBITION •Hollywood Pictures
•Warner Bros (Distribution)
•Used to own Warner Bros
•Pixar Animation What are the
Cinemas in the UK (Exhibition advantages for a parent
company of each type of
ownership?

6. Discover
Distribution

7. Discover
Distribution
Distribution involves everything
that happens in between
production and exhibition. It
involves all of the deals done to
get films shown and promoted.
Marketing falls under distribution
and we will explore this as a
separate topic

8. Discover
Distribution
The distribution company is in charge of getting the film out to
audiences, this involves organising for the film to receive an age
certificate by regulation bodies, such as the BBFC and MPAA;
arranging exhibition outlets globally and DVD/Television rights;
arranging for prints of the film; and marketing, publicity and
promotion of the film.

9. Discover
Distribution
Of course it has to sell things, but it doesn't rely
on waiting, listening, responding to what
audiences want and then delivering that to
them. It relies on knowing which parts of the
world and the media need its products and will
pay for them.

10. Discover
Distribution
There are five major distributors:
• United International Pictures,
• Warner Brothers,
• Buena Vista,
• 20th Century Fox, and
• Sony.
9 out of 10 films seen in the UK are from these
distributors, and in most cases the distributors
are directly linked to the Hollywood Production
Companies who make the films.

11. Develop
Pit Stop!
What is vertical integration?
What is horizontal integration?

12. Develop
In pairs/threes, you have 10
minutes
• Find five films distributed by:
Sulieman & Ryan • United International Pictures,
Indya, Lisa & Mujo • Warner Brothers,
Kenya & Brandon • Buena Vista,
Tanisha, Abi & Chloe
• 20th Century Fox, and
Enid,Troy & Fatima
• Sony.
BONUS: How much did they make?
Who made them (Production company)

13. Develop
Distribution
• This is good news for films
like Harry Potter: distribution
is a done deal since WB are
responsible for its production
• Spare a thought for the
independent producer:
he/she might have enough
money to make their film, but
how are they going to get it
into cinemas when
companies like this control
much of the industry?

14. Discover
Distribution
• Film distribution is not a helpful stage in the life of
a film whereby distributors treat all films equally
and ensure fair play in getting films to the public’s
attention.
• The key players, the big companies who control
much of the industry, control distribution of their
own products, and of others.

15. Discover
Distribution
• Effectively, films are loaned out to cinemas for a
limited period of time and released deals are done
that secure access to a certain number of screens
at a time.
• In the UK film market, an increase in the quantity
of screens showing films has not led to an
increase in the number of films shown.

16. Develop
Homework – due Tuesday the 5th Feb
Find cinema listings for five different cinemas in London
(include Independent cinemas for two out of the five)
Create a table identifying:
• What films are being presented this week (look at all 7 days
listings)
• Who is the production company for each film
• Who is the UK distribution company for each film
Is it dominated by Independent or conglomerate
companies?
Is Warp Films or Warner Bros responsible for any of the
films?

17. Develop
You are going to create…
• A mind map connecting 5 companies
• Find out:
• How are they connected? (use media terms
learnt today. Are they a subsidiary for example?)
• What are they responsible for? (what do they
do?)