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MCA

05/29/14 2:15 PM

#29946 RE: cheffrey85 #29945

Platform Release:

One of the central distribution platforms is theatrical distribution. The dream of every filmmaker is traditional theatrical distribution. This is where one of the major players, such as Sony, Universal, Fox Searchlight or Lionsgate, picks up the film and has a broad rollout across the country. This is extremely rare for independent filmmakers, even more so because the supply and demand of independent films since the 1990s has become so imbalanced with more and more independent movies being produced. Instead, focus on do it yourself theatrical distribution.

A do it yourself theatrical release is also typically called a platform release. In this type of release, you get a local theater to agree to show your film for a weekend. You will have to invest in advertising and promotion. Theater owners will not consider your film if you are not, for instance, taking on advertising in the paper. They want to know that there will be an audience for the film. If your film does well the first week, then chances are you will be picked up for an additional week. You have to do whatever you can to drive sales. If your movie tanks, regardless of its quality or its cast, then the theater will drop it by Monday