The Web's Affect On Distribution

How does the evolving web affect media distribution?

1989-

• Above the line marketing (mass audience and no target), such as billboards and trailers
• Often big Summer releases of Hollywood blockbusters- hard for independent film companies
• Distribution order normally went theatrical (cinema), VHS then TV
• Released in US, UK and Japan first

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989):

• Big name actor- Harrison Ford
• $48 million budget
• Released in the Summer- mass audience of all ages as it's a family film. The release order was US, Japan and UK
• Traditional above the line media formats
• Limited merchandise such as a hat and snake

2011-

• still above the line marketing, although the increase in below the line is happened because of the internet (such as Facebook). Trailers are localised for regions and countries.
• Stil blockbusters in Summer- indie movies are given more channels (such as FoxSearchlight which is owned by Fox)
• Distribution was made digital as this is a lot cheaper
• Still available in the cinema first as this builds hype, as well as a lot of money being earned through theatrical releases. It is this released as ancillary- DVD, Netflix, TV, iTunes, SkyMovies. Could also be straight to streamer (House of Catrds
• Often released worldwide as this combats piracy (such as on Sky Atlantic), or within a few months compared to a few years
• There's a increase in merchandise (eg the Disney store)

Internet's roles-

• Controlled release date
• Piracy (ruining movie businesses)
• Higher percent is now spent on marketing
• Distribution: 1989- analogue media, 2011- digital
• Marketing: 1989- above, 2011- above and below as we have the power

Wreck It Ralph (2012):

• John C. Reilly and Jane Lynch. Paid Nintendo to use licensed characters- syngery and cross media convergence
• $165 million budget
• Released in the holiday season (November) in the US, February in UK
• Release order- cinema, DVD+Blueray- available to download in some regions
• Above and below the line marketing: iOS and Android game available, as well as a website and Wreck It Ralph Twitter account. Two trailers released- 6th June and 12th September.