The Film Cycle

In this case, the film cycle refers to the steps in which a film needs to take in order to be seen by a viewer.
 

There are 3 main steps in the film cycle; production, distribution, and exhibition. 

A company that produces and distributes a film is known as being vertically integrated, and if the conglomerate has subsidiaries for production or distribution, this is known as horizontal integration. 

Production: 

This refers to the creation process of the film; pitching, shooting, casting, filming, and editing. The production process is funded by individual producers, or a production company, that analyse and decide whether a film is worth making, or if it will be a loss of their investment. 

There are three types of production companies; indie/independent (outside of the studio system, self-owned), subsidiary (owned and controlled by a parent company/conglomerate), and conglomerate (company that owns subsidiaries).

Internationally known and market controlling conglomerates are known as the big 5: Universal, Paramount, Disney, Warner Bros, and Columbia. 

An indie company like Warp would receive government grants in order to produce a film, as they are not commercially viable, but are important representations for regions in Britain. 

A subsidiary of vertically integrated conglomerate Universal, such as Working Title, would think of maximising the commercial appeal and the profit. The majority of films they produce contain A-List stars, and IP/franchise. They often also use CGI or 3D/4D/IMAX technologies, which are very expensive, to further boost their films appeal.

Distribution: 

The second phase of the cycle, it refers to the launching of the film and covers the marketing, advertisement, and means of exhibition. The distributor will buy the rights of a produced film in order to exhibit it. 

The Warp film Tyrannosaur (2011), was picked by an American distributor at the TIFF, but due to poor marketing tactics (no trailer was made), it flopped in America, and had a limited release. 

In comparison, a film such as Avatar (2009) was distributed by the vertically integrated conglomerate Universal, and received a wide and simultaneous release. This was due to an A-List cast and director (James Cameron), as well as innovative technology (3D). 

Exhibition: 

This is the final stage of the cycle, and is about the screening for a film. The exhibitor (cinema) must further market the films, and the experience to the customers. This also measures a films success, through box office data.