The Business Of Media Distribution

Written by the insider who headed sales for Lucasfilm across distribution markets and managed the release of Star Wars Episode III, this is the first book to show how all related media distribution markets, including television, video and online, work together and independently to finance and maximize profits on productions. It demystifies how an idea moves from concept to profits and how distribution quietly dominates an industry otherwise grounded in high profile elements (production, marketing, creative, finance, law). The book provides a unique apprenticeship to the business, illuminating at a macro level how an idea can move from concept to generating $1 Billion, relating theory and practice in the context of the maturation of global market segments, and exposing the devil in the detail that impacts bottom line profits. Producers, media executives, and entertainment attorneys in specific niches will benefit from this wide-ranging look at the business across various distribution outlets, including theatrical, television, airlines, merchandising, cable, and home video.

In this updated edition of the industry staple, veteran media executive Jeff Ulin relates business theory and practice across key global market segments—film, television, and online/digital—providing you with an insider’s perspective that can't be found anywhere else. Learn how an idea moves from concept to profit and how distribution dominates the bottom line: Hollywood stars may make the headlines, but marketing and distribution are the behind-the-scenes drivers converting content into cash. The third edition: Includes perspectives from key industry executives at studios, networks, agencies and online leaders, including Fox, Paramount, Lucasfilm, Endeavor, Tencent, MPAA, YouTube, Amazon, and many more; Explores the explosive growth of the Chinese market, including box office trends, participation in financing Hollywood feature films, and the surge in online usage; Illustrates how online streaming leaders like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Hulu and Facebook are changing the way TV content is distributed and consumed, and in cases how these services are moving into theatrical markets; Analyzes online influences and disruption throughout the distribution chain, and explains the risks and impact stemming from changing access points (e.g., stand-alone apps), delivery methods (over-the-top) and consumption patterns (e.g., binge watching); Breaks down historical film windows, the economic drivers behind them, and how online and digital delivery applications are changing the landscape. Ulin provides the virtual apprenticeship you need to demystify and manage the complicated media markets, understand how digital distribution has impacted the ecosystem, and glimpse into the future of how film and television content will be financed, distributed and watched. An online eResource contains further discussion on topics presented in the book.

In this updated edition of the industry staple, veteran media executive Jeff Ulin relates business theory and practice across key global market segments—film, television, and online/digital—providing you with an insider’s perspective that can't be found anywhere else. Learn how an idea moves from concept to profit and how distribution dominates the bottom line: Hollywood stars may make the headlines, but marketing and distribution are the behind-the-scenes drivers converting content into cash. The third edition: Includes perspectives from key industry executives at studios, networks, agencies and online leaders, including Fox, Paramount, Lucasfilm, Endeavor, Tencent, MPAA, YouTube, Amazon, and many more; Explores the explosive growth of the Chinese market, including box office trends, participation in financing Hollywood feature films, and the surge in online usage; Illustrates how online streaming leaders like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, YouTube, Hulu and Facebook are changing the way TV content is distributed and consumed, and in cases how these services are moving into theatrical markets; Analyzes online influences and disruption throughout the distribution chain, and explains the risks and impact stemming from changing access points (e.g., stand-alone apps), delivery methods (over-the-top) and consumption patterns (e.g., binge watching); Breaks down historical film windows, the economic drivers behind them, and how online and digital delivery applications are changing the landscape. Ulin provides the virtual apprenticeship you need to demystify and manage the complicated media markets, understand how digital distribution has impacted the ecosystem, and glimpse into the future of how film and television content will be financed, distributed and watched. An online eResource contains further discussion on topics presented in the book.

Introduction to Media Distribution offers a clear, direct and comprehensive overview of the entire film, television and new media distribution business, valuable to both students and professionals. In this book, author Scott Kirkpatrick draws from over a decade of personal experience in the distribution arena to explore what fuels the distribution process, and explains in real-world terms how the business works from beginning to end—not merely what happens to a film or television series after a distributor acquires it, but how distributors develop, pre-sell and broker deals on content before it even exists. Kirkpatrick covers deal structures, release strategies, acquisition approaches, rights sales, international co-productions, tax credits, audience research, global regulatory boards, and even ‘behind closed doors’ monetization practices. The book offers: A straightforward, clear and insightful approach to understanding the fundamental basics of how the global distribution marketplace works, and how distribution companies actually operate and create the content they need; An insider’s analysis of all levels of the business with an emphasis on the independent scene, the root from where development in the industry grows; A comprehensive overview of how film and television markets and festivals work, and how buyers and sellers actually broker deals in the field; Detailed explanations of how each media right is defined and windowed to maximize potential revenue; A detailed overview of several major international territories, and how each operates within the context of the global media business; Guidance and advice from an industry expert on how one can initiate their professional career in the entertainment industry, applicable to individuals in all roles; A robust appendix containing in-depth studies of legal definitions, material delivery requirements, territory-by-territory financial projections, and more. An accompanying eResource offers template contracts, sample agreements, and further resources for download.

Understanding the Business of Entertainment: The Legal and Business Essentials All Filmmakers Should Know is an indispensable guide to the business aspects of the entertainment industry, providing the legal expertise you need to break in and to succeed. Written in a clear and engaging tone, this book covers the essential topics in a thorough but reader-friendly manner and includes plenty of real-world examples that bring business and legal concepts to life. Whether you want to direct, produce, write, edit, photograph or act in movies, this book covers how to find work in your chosen field and examines the key provisions in employment agreements for creative personnel. If you want to make films independently, you’ll find advice on where to look for financing, what kinds of deals might be made in the course of production, and important information on insurance, releases, and licenses. Other topics covered include: Hollywood’s growth and the current conglomerates that own most of the media How specific entertainment companies operate, including facts about particular studios and employee tasks. How studios develop projects, manage production, seek out independent films, and engage in marketing and distribution The kinds of revenues studios earn and how they account for these revenues How television networks and new media-delivery companies like Netflix operate and where the digital revolution might take those who will one day work in the film and TV business As an award- winning screenwriter and entertainment attorney, Gregory Bernstein give us an inside look at the business of entertainment. He proves that knowing what is behind filmmaking is just as important as the film itself.

Print: in the right hands, in the right place, at the right time. That's effective distribution a critical step in the print supply chain. A customer's bottom line can be radically impacted by distribution decisions. Thus in our industry we cannot risk handling print distribution as an afterthought, but rather treat it as a value-added service. Dr. Cummings' book is the culmination of several years' investigation into print media distribution, drawn from primary research studies, case-studies, and in-depth expert interviews. It is the first publication to comprehensively analyze each player's role in the distribution of printed product, offering workflow solutions that can provide significant advantages to print producers' business models. Distribution is often the single largest cost factor in a printed piece, so understanding this element is as important as understanding labor costs, equipment financing, and information technology. Print Media Distribution is an essential resource for savvy print and transportation service providers, as well as educators who will train the next wave of the workforce in the best practices of print product delivery.

Distribution Revolution is a collection of interviews with leading film and TV professionals concerning the many ways that digital delivery systems are transforming the entertainment business. These interviews provide lively insider accounts from studio executives, distribution professionals, and creative talent of the tumultuous transformation of film and TV in the digital era. The first section features interviews with top executives at major Hollywood studios, providing a window into the big-picture concerns of media conglomerates with respect to changing business models, revenue streams, and audience behaviors. The second focuses on innovative enterprises that are providing path-breaking models for new modes of content creation, curation, and distributionÑcreatively meshing the strategies and practices of Hollywood and Silicon Valley. And the final section offers insights from creative talent whose professional practices, compensation, and everyday working conditions have been transformed over the past ten years. Taken together, these interviews demonstrate that virtually every aspect of the film and television businesses is being affected by the digital distribution revolution, a revolution that has likely just begun. Interviewees include: ¥ Gary Newman, Chairman, 20th Century Fox Television ¥ Kelly Summers, Former Vice President, Global Business Development and New Media Strategy, Walt Disney Studios ¥ Thomas Gewecke, Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Warner Bros. Entertainment ¥ Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix ¥ Felicia D. Henderson, Writer-Producer, Soul Food, Gossip Girl ¥ Dick Wolf, Executive Producer and Creator, Law & Order

How did digital media happen ? Through a unique approach to digital documents, and detailed intricate histories of illicit internet piracy networks, The Digital Culture Industry goes beyond the Napster creation myth and illuminates the unseen individuals, code and events behind the turn to digital media.