Digital distribution.

Digital distribution has changed many aspects of how companies work and function with the new and ever growing digital age. 

MARKETING.

The digital age consists of social networking platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, also most recently YouTube to advertise new films newly released.

Funding has become easier, it is also easier and possible to release an earlier version of a trailer such as a teaser trailer to begin the atmosphere surrounding the film and portray it to the audience. Although these teaser trailers are rarely seen on the television during the usual advert breaks, these teaser trailers can be found on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. The feedback from opinions such as comments tell the marketing and advertising team how to go about this distribution. Also if there is anything they need change, or who to specifically market this film to. Through digital adverts, the company can also increase their audience (or fan base) as to what they release and who the release goes to.

The invention of social networking has lead to the change of PR meaning "Public Relations", where the literal meaning was "Press Relations". This means, as mentioned above, the distributor has a direct connection to the audience rather than going through the newspaper for reviews once the film has been released. They can change their marketing angle before it's too late.

LITERAL DISTRIBUTION.

This actual distribution of different film used to be undertaken by one van driving around the nation with a film on celluloid, to different cinema's. However, the new digital age has lead to change in this with multiple copies of the film on digital tape. This makes is possible for the film to be shown in many different cinemas at the same time. The digital version is also of a higher quality than the old celluloid versions of films. The old versions of films were projected on to the screen, where as the digital versions are streamed straight to the screen.

Digital distribution has also allowed the invention of DVD's. More so in the UK, any form of non-theatrical entertainment can be purchased on DVD, increasingly, schools are using DVDs rather than the old 8 or 16mm film strip. However, theatrical forms of entertainment are also now being streamed digitally such as the  25th anniversary of "The Phantom Of The Opera" which was streamed live to Odeon cinema's, the same happened with the 25th anniversary of "Les Misérables". These two performance were then available to purchase on DVD. 

ADVANTAGE + DISADVANTAGE

Range - in the case of small releases, it is not always certain that the film will reach its target audience (as mentioned above). Once seen online, the film or short clip can be shared amongst the correct target audience rather than the incorrect audience and receiving negative feedback.

Damaging the art of watching a film - although films are still released in the cinema, most people prefer to watch the film on their TV or watch it on their ipods or iphones whilst going about their daily lives. Some people may pay for the film they watch on TV but they may not want to spend time going to the cinema or spending time sitting in traffic waiting to get to the cinema.