Evaluation Q2

Film distribution is the process of making a film available for viewing from the audience; and the film distributor refers to the marketing of the film, with roles including organising the release date and place (normally based on the films finance), and the advertisement of the film. Distributors must identify the films target audience, then aim their marketing material at them to unsure they are enticed, interested, and most importantly, pay to see the film.

Outside advertisements, including posters, billboards and bus signs, alongside media adverts on, social media, television, newspapers and the radio are common ways to market a film. Depending on a films target audience, certificate, genre, it will be advertised accordingly; for example, films aimed at adolescents tend to undertake a lot of social media advertisement, as their demographic use social media more than others. If the film distributor fails to target the correctly identify the film’s target audience, then the film will be unsuccessful, as people who may be interested will not know it exists; but, if the films target audience are identified correctly the film will gain popularity via advertisements, then word of mouth, and gain excitement before its release.

Sherlock Holmes’s poster advertisement informs the audience of lots of information about the film in a single print advertisement. Star of the film, Robert Downing Jr appears in the main image; his fame and large cult following will mean such actor will play a large part in the films marketing, as many people will pay to see the film purely based on his starring role. Those unfamiliar with the character of Sherlock Holmes will recognise the films genre as a mystery/action/drama hybrid, and fans of the 

genre will recognise the double exposure background iconographic to the mystery genre.  

Released in 2016, Deadpool undertook amusing and clever, yet very unconventional marketing techniques. Deadpool focuses on a violent anti-hero throughout, however was jokingly advertised as a conventional romantic film; those who knew of the film would find this advert amusing, and it may made the film appeal to them more than before; but, those who believed it to be a romantic film may research it and discover their unknown interest for super-hero films. Such advertisements went viral, gained the film lots of attention, and at the same time targeted two target audiences. Other adverts for the film were restricted to social media appearance only due to their sexual nature, if shown elsewhere; the film would gain unwanted and controversial attention from people who were worried children would see it; however, such adverts did hint at, and prepare audiences for the sexual nature of the film. Unlike Sherlock Holmes, Deadpool followed a simple marketing strategy so it did not give away too much about the film, leaving the audience creating excitement among the fan base. Deadpool following unconventional advertising, however because it this it was one of the most talked about marketing campaigns of 2015/16, and earning the film $135,050,000 in its opening weekend.