Module UXS-2062:
Film Distribution and Marketing

Module Facts

Run by School of Arts, Culture and Language

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Steffan Thomas

Overall aims and purpose

This module will investigate independent (and studio based) film production, distribution, and exhibition practices across a range of historical periods, and draws on major examples.

This module will introduce theoretical and practical concepts related to finance, investment, intellectual property, and business strategy, and apply these concepts directly to the independent film industry.

Within the module we will look at entrepreneurial activity and financial management, as well as an understanding of the role independent film companies play in the modern entertainment and wider film economy.

The taught element of the module will include:

  • Financing / Funding

  • Marketing

  • Licensing and Copyright

  • Distribution

Course content

The module will guide the students to consider the commercial factors when producing, funding, marketing and distributing an independent film. The focus of the module will be on practices applicable to independent production companies and freelance producers to create and sustain a viable production method.

Throughout the module we will look at models for funding, marketing, licensing and copyrighting material as well as differing avenues for content distribution.

This module provides students with an overview of the changes and influences in the development of the modern film industry, and illustrates where the transferable skills of a filmmaker can be applied.

The taught element of the module will include:

  • Financing / Funding

  • Marketing

  • Licensing and Copyright

Assessment Criteria

good

Good: C- to B+ Submitted work is competent throughout and may be distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It:

  1. Demonstrates good or very good structure and logically developed arguments.
  2. Draws at least in parts on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.
  3. Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.
  4. Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

threshold

Threshold: D- to D+ Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:

  1. Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.

  2. Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.

  3. Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.

  4. Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

excellent

Excellent: A- to A* Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:

  1. Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent.
  2. Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.
  3. Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

Learning outcomes

  1. To recognise the strategies used to market film and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

  2. To recognise the strategies used to distribute film and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

  3. To demonstrate an understanding of consumer demographics and what factors impact on the strategies required to target each segment

  4. To recognise a need to alter strategies for differing platforms, target audiences and genre

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Website: EPK (equivalent of 2,500 words) 40.00
Essay 2,500 words 50.00
Presentation 3-5 minutes (Presented in Week 8&9) 10.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • The ability to synthesize information from various sources, choosing and applying appropriate concepts and methods (English Benchmark Statement 3.3).
  • Ability to formulate and solve problems, anticipate and accommodate change, and work within contexts of ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity (NAWE Creative Writing Benchmark Statement 3.2; English Benchmark Statement 3.3).
  • Ability to engage in processes of drafting and redrafting texts to achieve clarity of expression and an appropriate style. (English Benchmark Statement 3.3; NAWE Creative Writing Benchmark Statement 3.2).
  • Ability to gather information, analyse, interpret and discuss different viewpoints (NAWE Creative Writing Benchmark Statement 3.2; English Benchmark Statement 3.3).
  • Information technology (IT) skills broadly understood and the ability to access, work with and evaluate electronic resources (NAWE Creative Writing Benchmark Statement 3.2; English Benchmark Statement 3.3).

Resources

Resource implications for students

These texts are available at Bangor University library

Reading list

The business of media distribution : monetizing film, tv and video content in an online world Jeff Ulin American Film Market. London ; New York : Focal Press 2. ed. 2014

Contemporary American Independent Film From the Margins to the Mainstream. Christine Holmlund Justin Wyatt Hoboken : Taylor and Francis 1. 2004

Shadow economies of cinema : mapping informal film distribution Ramon Lobato London : Palgrave Macmillan on behalf of the BFI 2012

The business of media distribution : monetizing film, tv and video content in an online world Jeff Ulin American Film Market.

Hollywood economics : how extreme uncertainty shapes the film industry Arthur S De Vany London ; New York : Routledge 2004

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: