Possible Distributors

Warp Films

One film company which we researched and decided could be a possible distributor is Warp Films. They are an independent film and TV production company which is based in two parts of the UK; Sheffield and London. Warp films are also affiliated which a Warp films company based in Melbourne, Australia. Warp films could be a good distributor as we have made an independent film and they are an independent distributor. They are based in the UK which is where we would most likely want to distribute our film and if possible, also Australia and they are affiliated with the Warp Films there.

Warp Films have distributed many other independent films such as:

1. Hush
2. 71
3. Submarine
4. Dead Man's Shoes

Brain Damage Films

Brain Damage Films is a company based within the US and is a worldwide independent film producer and distributor. It was founded in 2001 and a second division was launched in the UK in 2009. Brain Damage Films are very well-known for distributing independent horror films across the globe so it would be a good choice to consider.

Brain Damage Films have distributed films such as:

1. Fear of the Dark
2. The Zombie Chronicles
3. The House that Screamed
4. Traces of Death

Overall, as a group we chose the company Brain Damage to distribute our film as their key genre priority was horror. This means they would know how to target the right audience for our film as they are experienced in distributing horror films similar to our own.

The Brain Damage company look for:

• Feature films greater than 65 minutes in length. Compilations of short stories or films are acceptable as an anthology film.
• Horror films, though they will also review films in the sci-fi, action, thriller, suspense, or dark drama genres.  Our film should have a coherent and engaging story, brought to life by talented actors, professionally edited, and polished with convincing effects and fitting music.
• Medium to high production value. This includes the audio-visual quality of the feature as well as the acting, directing, script, and overall presentation. We firmly believe that a film's budget is not always the best indicator of its value.

We can submit our film by sending a DVD copy to:

Maxim Media Marketing ATTN: Acquisitions

6929 N. Hayden Rd. Suite C4-246

Scottsdale, AZ, USA

85250

Brief

Preliminary task:

The preliminary exercise was a continuity exercise which involved filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom they exchange dialogue. The preliminary task should demonstrate match-on-action, shot-reverse-shot and the 180-degree rule. and be no longer than a minute.

We did a short video of one classmate entering a room sitting down to talk to her friends which then turns into an argument before one of them stands up and storms away.

Main task:

The main task was to create to titles and the opening of a new fiction film, the genre was your choosing which should last a maximum of 2 minutes.

I chose to work with Sam and Gina and we all collectively decided that we wanted to make a horror film as it was all our preferred genre. It took quite a while to decide what the initial story line and subject of our film would be. We chose to go with the sub-genre of 'paranormal horror' this was because we decided we were going to incorporate an Ouija board as we found that 'Ouija, 2014' was a big success among teenagers and young adults and it was a similar narrative to what we wanted.

There was a long process in deciding what to name our film but we eventually named it 'Retention'. Retention is the 'continued possession, use, or control of something'. This title foreshadows some of the events that are going to happen in the film whilst not giving away too much of what the film is about.

The opening sequence to the film is only to establish the characters and get the audience's attention without giving away too much of the story line. The opening scene introduces each character and their different mindsets and personalities.

Main task plot: 

Jace is visiting Riley's house because she is having a party. All of their friends are there; Malia, Eli and Mackenzie. Due to Riley only just moving in, they still haven't cleared out the house so Malia suggests they go look in the attic for an old board game. Riley disagrees and said there's no point whereas Jace is eager to find out what's up there. Later on, Jace and Malia venture to the attic meanwhile Riley, Eli and Mackenzie are downstairs being anti-social. Jace finds an Ouija board and the group proceed to try and perform a seance. They start to fill with disbelief when the board doesn't work until suddenly the lights switch off and the board becomes animate and moves by itself.

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Distributor

Our film is a low budget independent film so we will need an independent distributor as theydistribute films with smaller budgets than main stream films.

1. Warp Films

Warp Films is an independent film and television production company based in Sheffield & London, UK, with a further affiliated company Warp Films Australia based in Melbourne, Australia.

They have distributed films like:

• Hush
• Dead Man's Shoes
• 71'
• Snowtown
• Submarine
• Exhibit A
• The Midnight Bea

2. Brain Damage Films

Brain Damage Films is a US-based worldwide independent film production company and distribution company. It was founded in 2001 by Darrin Ramage. A division located in the UK was launched in September 2009.

They have distributed films like:

• Traces of Death
• The House that Screamed
• Immortal
• Trees
• Fear of the Dark
• The Coven
• The Zombie Chronicles

3. Goldcrest Films

Goldcrest Films is an independent British distribution, production, post production and finance company. Operating from London and New York, Goldcrest is a privately owned integrated filmed entertainment company.

They distributed films like:

• Escape from New York
• Secrets
• Local Hero
• Runners
• The Dresser
• Revolution
• The Killing Fields

Overall, as a group we chose the company Brain Damage to produce our film since their key genre focus was horror. Therefore, they knew how to target the right audience to get our film the right viewers and creditability.

This company look for:

• Feature films greater than 65 minutes in length. Compilations of short stories or films are acceptable as an anthology film.
• Horror films, though they will also review films in the sci-fi, action, thriller, suspense, or dark drama genres.  Our film should have a coherent and engaging story, brought to life by talented actors, professionally edited, and polished with convincing effects and fitting music.
• Medium to high production value. This includes the audio-visual quality of the feature as well as the acting, directing, script, and overall presentation. We firmly believe that a film's budget is not always the best indicator of its value.

We submit our film by sending a DVD copy to:

Maxim Media Marketing ATTN: Acquisitions
6929 N. Hayden Rd. Suite C4-246
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
85250

Treatment One (Full Film)

Title of film: Retention 

(n) Retention - the continued possession, use, or control of something.

Duration of film: 93 minutes.

Audience: 
Both genders, aged between 15 and 25 with an interest in horror, supernatural creatures/objects, fear of the unknown and thrills.

Certificate: 15

Distributor:
Brain Damage Films

Summary of Film: 

Retention is a 2017 British supernatural horror film directed, written and produced by Sam Johnson, Gina Allen and Courtney Hutton. 

One fateful night, during Riley's (Gina Allen) housewarming party, her best friend Malia (Hope Horseman) discovers a party game they'll never forget. From the moment they said hello, the chances of them saying goodbye were slimming. Under pressure from time and grief, alongside their friends, Riley and Malia must find a way to keep them and everyone alive and close off the link they made to the spirit world before it causes the end of them all.

 

 Suggested Elements: 
The entire film is where you expect it all to happen. The fear, the suspense, the mystery, the surprise and the spoilers. Foreshadowing is great in horror films. For example, if it is already known that one of the characters have a great fear of ghosts, you know that at some point of this film, their going to have to face one or inevitably meet their end. Spoilers are little things that directors can give away at the start of the film; like a characters anxieties, dislikes and fears. This is what the story will then play on. We want a story we viewers have to play close attention to everything that is said. This is where suspense plays a part into it. We might even know what will happen to character based on their fears, but there's still the anxiety of waiting for it to happen. Then comes the surprise/jumpscare. Getting someone to fear what you've created isn't the hardest part; making the fear surprising is.

 

Treatment Two (Opening of film)

Title of film: Retention 

(n) Retention - the continued possession, use, or control of something.

Duration of film: 2 minutes.

Audience: 
Both genders aged 15-25 with an interest in horror, supernatural creatures/objects, fear of the unknown and thrills.

Certificate: 15

Distributor:
Brain Damage Films

Summary of Opening: 

Retention is a 2017 British supernatural horror film directed, written and produced by Sam Johnson, Gina Allen and Courtney Hutton. 
We see the final guest (Jace) arrive to Riley's new home gathering and see the teens discuss on how they can liven their party up. Riley's best friend Malia suggests they check the attic in which Riley exclaimed was left in 'such a mess' filled with old board games and trinkets. We watch as Jace and Malia venture into the attic and find an old Ouija board. The scene cuts there allowing the title of the film to be revealed before the scene then cuts to the five friends surrounding the board, ready to play. Malia, being the expert on such, guides her friends in starting the game until things take an unexpected turn for the worse.

 Suggested Elements: 

  The first element that an opening of a horror film will rely on is the suspense and building of tension. It is important the opening sets the story as well as creating that initial fear in the audience. Fear is by far the most important factor of a great horror story. The real trick to constructing this fear is to scare people with the fears they might not have had before watching this film. It is too early on in the film to start adding jumpscares. If we just throw a bunch in at random points, the film will lose it's build up and viewers will eventually grow wise to the act and find it less appealing. The opening is where we have to build on sound and music to create that perfect build up. The best scenario consists of someone waiting for something to happen, and when it does it's completely unexpected. A better horror story is one that builds up the suspense. We don't just want minor chords and a load of jumpscares, we want emotional connection with the characters and we want to live out their stress.

Target Audience

Target Audience Profile

Age: 15-25
Gender: Our film can appeal to both genders because even though stereotypically males, our survey showed that the majority of females picked horror as their preferred genre.
Interests: Horror, supernatural creatures/objects, fear of the unknown and thrills.
 
The usual age for someone watching a horror movie is between 15 and 25, which is the age group we chose for our film Retention. From our research we concluded that people in this particular age group are at key stages of their development and have a want to try new things. This age group typically seeks thrills and horror movies give this thrill and can excite the younger audiences are lot easier than the older. The younger audiences are less likely to be put off a film judging by its violence or unnatural images which makes them perfect for our target audience.