Research into Distributors

Research into Distributors:

I have decided to research independent film distributors as this would be more appropriate for our type of film than mainstream distributors.

Independent: 
Specialises in Uk distribution. Their films are split into two catagories, Library and current. Library films are based on books, often by famous or prize winning authours. Examples of this are: The Sea, based on a novel by prize-winning writer John Banville, and Boxing Day, based on Leo Tolstoy's Master and Man. Current films are unique ideas written specifically for the screen. Our film would be a current film as our idea is original and written to be filmed. Independent films distributed the hit release What We Did On Our Holiday, starring David Tennant and Billy Connoly, which then got released through Lionsgate due to its popularity. Independent would be a good distributor to use as its films win many awards in the UK, US and Australia. In addition many of their films have well known actors such as David Tennant, and Game Of Thrones' Masie Williams.
Information from:  http://www.independentfilmcompany.com/distribution.php

Axiom Films:
Film producer and distributor based in London. Founded in 1997 and distributes films all around the world. Many of its films were released in other countries such as Mexico, Argentina, USA, France, Germany and Belgium. The last film they distributed was About Elly, produced in Iran in 2009. Axiom films is a subsiduary of UKI, one of the largest privately owned investment companies. Axiom distributes films digitally through LoveFilm and iTunes, as well as 20 DVDs and 10 theatrical releases each year. One of Axiom's most notable films is Half Nelson starring Ryan Gosling for which they won Best Actor in the 2007 Academy Awards.
Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axiom_Films

Momentum Pictures:
 Originally one of the UKs leading film distributors, releasing on average 20 films a year. It could be argued that Momentum Pictures is a mainstream film distributor as it has released many big-name films such as The King's Speech, starring Colin Firth, The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt, The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliff, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. More recently Momentum films are released under the Entertainment One name. Despite Momentum Pictures starting out as a British film distributor, it also works with many production companies in the US and Canada. This has led it to become a more mainstream distribution company.
Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum_Pictures

Certificate of Film

Certificate of film

What is classification?

the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released to protect children from unsuitable and harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it. They watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one using and applying the standards and criteria in the Classification Guidelines. Occasionally the BBFC need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm. This process has to happen for DVD’s and Blu-rays too. Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence have to be looked at during the classification process too.

15

The 15 symbol means no one under the age of 15 is allowed to see a film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. This is because of some of the content/themes can be too mature/violent for children younger than 15 years old. In 15 rated films you may see some of the following: strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour or drug taking.

I chose the 15 certificate as my groups film is a Thriller, and it is going to include some jumpy, scary and suspenseful scenes which could be too mature/violent for children aged under 15 years old. Also our film may have some strong language in it, which meets the criteria of a 15 rated film.

Film Distributors

UK Film Distributors

Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a UK distributor of classic, horror, thriller, cult films and TV series on Blu-ray and DVD based in Hertfordshire. After being established in 1991, Arrow’s diverse and rich product mix has forged one of the most energetic and cutting edge labels in British distribution. Recent awards include being named Label of the Year by prestigious publications as the Guardian and Home Cinema Choice. I chose this distributer as it is UK based and specializes in the genre of film my group would like to make.


Icon Film Distribution

Formed in 1999, Icon Film Distribution is one of the UK’s leading independent film distributors generating in excess of £150m at the box office with a library of over 200 titles ranging from mainstream hits such as Paranormal Activity, 30 Days of Night, Transporter 3 and What Woman Want to specialist break-out titles such as Tom Ford’s A Single Man, La Vie En Rose and Man On Wire. I chose this distributer as it is an independent company and distributed an upcoming film called The Forest which is a supernatural horror about a girl whose sister goes missing which is relatively similar to the storyline my group decided for our film.

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution 

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (KFD) is an established International Sales outfit based in London, offering full UK and international distribution and sales capabilities. KFD specializes in commercial features films and branded documentaries. New titles include: The Seven Five, a documentary, soon to be made into a major feature film by Sony, charting the dirtiest cops in history, who stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of 80s New York and Glassland, a heart-breaking and award-winning tale showcasing extraordinary performances from Oscar Nominee Toni Collette, and up and coming stars, Jack Reynor and Will Poulter; and Sundance documentary premiere. I chose this distributer as it is UK based and distributes quite gritty and socio-realist films which is what I want my group’s film to have a feel of.

Similar Films by Caitlyn Stanley

Similar Films

House at the End of the Street

House at the End of the Street is a 2012 Canadian\American psychological horror thriller directed by Mark Tonderai and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot and Gil Bellows. The film is about a girl named Elissa who moves to a new neighbourhood with her mother Sarah. They discover that the house at the end of the street was where two gruesome murders took place, she then befriends the only survivor of the murders, Ryan, which leads to him revealing his true identity, and things take an unexpected turn. It was produced by FilmNation Entertainment and distributed by Relativity Media Alliance Films. I chose this film as it is very gripping and has a dark and mysterious plot, which is similar to film my group would like to make. The film scored poorly on Rotten Tomatoes with it only achieving on average a 3.7/10 from all film critics , you can see all of the audience and critic reviews in full here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/house_at_the_end_of_the_street/

You can see the full trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRg7XzcvUvM

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner is a 2014 American dystopian science fiction action thriller directed by Wes Ball and stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee and Will Poulter. It is based on the series of novels by James Dashner, and is the first instalment. The film is about a 16 year old boy called Thomas who wakes up in an elevator with no memory or recollection of who he is, he later discovers he has been delivered to a place called The Glade which is in the middle of an intricate maze. A long with a large number of other boys called Gladers; he fights to find a way out. It is produced by Gotham Group, Temple Hill Entertainment and TSG Entertainment and distributed by 20^th Century Fox. I chose this film as it one of my personal favourites and has a similar beginning to what my group’s film is going to be like, involving an elevator, also it is action packed and adrenaline fuelled which is something I would like my film to be like. The Maze Runner scored quite well with a on average 5.9/10 from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics consensus including comments like: ‘strong acting, a solid premise, and a refreshingly dark approach to its dystopian setting’. You can see all of the audience and critic reviews here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_maze_runner/

You can see the full trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwwbhhjQ9Xk

Panic Room

Panic Room is a 2002 American Thriller directed by David Fincher and stars Jodie Foster and Kirsten Stewart. The film is about a mother and her diabetic daughter who take refuge in their house’s safe room when three dangerous men break into their house. It was produced by Hofflun/Polone and Indelible Pictures and distributed by Columbia Pictures. I chose this film as I really enjoyed the suspense and tension that was created when I watched it and is a really good example of a Thriller film for me to further study. The film received a really good average rating of 6.9/10 from all critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critic’s consensus including comments like: ‘Elevated by Fincher's directorial talent and Foster's performance’, ‘well-crafted, above-average thriller.’ You can see all of the audience and critic reviews in full here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/panic_room/

You can see the full trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThhDTBbMc0M

Se7en

Seven is a 1995 American psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow. The film is about two detectives, one nearly retired and the other newly transferred, who work together to solve several elaborate and gruesome murders, they then discover they are dealing with a serial killer but the hunt to find him has very fatal consequences.  The film was distributed by New Line Cinema. I chose this film as I have seen it before and really like the edginess of it, also its use of a plot twist at the end is very clever and leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This film scored extremely well with on average 7.7/10 from all critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critic’s consensus including comments like: ‘A brutal, relentlessly grimy shocker with taut performances, slick gore effects, and a haunting finale.’ You can see all of the audience and critic reviews here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven/

You can watch the trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4YV2_TcCoE 

The Silence of the Lambs 

The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American Thriller directed by Jonathan Demme and stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and Scott Glenn. The fil m is based on Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name. The film is about a young FBI agent who must confide in a manipulated killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims. It was produced by Strong Heart/Demme Productions and distributed by Orion Pictures. I chose this film as it is one of the best thrillers of all time and has such an interesting storyline which creates tension and suspense for the audience. This film scored the highest of all with a massive on average 8.5/10 from all critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critic’s consensus including comments like: ‘smart and taut thriller’ and ‘teeters on the edge between psychological study and all-out horror.’ You can see all of the audience and critic reviews here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/silence_of_the_lambs/

You can watch the trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuX2MQeb8UM

Gone Girl

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, and is based on the book of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, it is set in Missouri and begins as a mystery when Nick’s wife disappears he becomes the primary suspect. The film was produced by Regency Enterprises and TSG Entertainment and distributed by 20^th Century Fox. I chose this film as it involves the disappearance/kidnapping of a character which is something my group is involving in our film so Gone Girl could be relatable in some aspects. This film scored very well on Rotten Tomatoes with on average 8/10 from all critic reviews, the critic consensus includes comments like: ‘Dark, intelligent, and stylish to a fault.’ You can see all of the audience and critic reviews here - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gone_girl/

You can watch the trailer here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esGn-xKFZdU