Perspectives on film distribution in the U.S. : present and future

Abstract

I believe film has the power to transform people's lives and minds and to enlighten today's generation like any other medium. This is why I wanted to write my thesis about film distribution as it will determine the future of the industry itself. The way films are distributed, accessed and consumed will be critical in shaping our future entertainment culture and the way we approach content. The goal of this thesis is to analyze current distribution models, consumer behaviors and distributors marketing efforts to try anticipating the best models for the film industry. I also want to explore what the changes in the distribution landscape mean for the creatives and the content creation in overall. I will focus my analysis on movie distribution in the United States as I consider this country to be the most changing and dynamic market in the whole industry. Trends and practices in the US should be predictive of future distribution and consumption models in international territories. In addition to the high number of articles that helped me for this thesis, I will very often refer to Chuck Tryon's On-Demand Culture: Digital Delivery and the Future of Movies (2013), and Anita Elberse' s Blockbusters: Why Big Hits - and Big Risks are The Future of the Entertainment Business (2013).