Digital distribution set to become promotional standard
Digital distribution of promotional materials is an option for both major and independent distributors, according to D-Star Media MD Peter Skillman.
“Services have to be quoted accordingly to make it worthwhile for the film companies to use, both the majors and the independents, but it gives them the opportunity to reach a broader audience by promoting their films on every outlet,” said Skillman.
“Delivery will go this way in the long-term, and we want to make it an industry standard,” he added.
The company is the first to offer digital distribution of promotional material for films, making trailers, EPKs and TVCs available to online outlets and broadcasters – using the internet or via satellite. It eliminates the need to send physical tapes. Material is broken down into various files, to facilitate viewing, selection and download.
D-Star has provided a similar service for the music industry for years, but is just taking its first steps into the Australian film market. The company signed its first local distributor, Paramount Pictures, last week, and is in negotiations with Icon and at least another four.
“Distributors have been using the traditional physical method for years, so it’s going to take time for them to be convinced that digital delivery is revolutionary,” said Skillman.
D-Star is a sister company to Cinema Live, which delivers alternative content – music, theatre, etc. – to cinemas across Australia. This relationship might help D-Star provide digital delivery of films to cinemas capable of digital projection.
“We want to look at that longer term. We have the capability with cinema live but at the moment, this is a business-to-business resource for film companies to be able to get their promo material and all their other assets to broadcasters and online,” explained Skillman.
