Production and distribution of horror films

By Salma Hussain

Who produces horror films?• The production phase itself is split up into 3 sections:– Pre-production: planning, design, storyboarding, casting– Production: the actual shooting of the movie– Post-production: editing the movie together, adding sound and special

effects• However, when creating a horror film, they must ensure to take the BBFC

guidelines into consideration when deciding the target audience for the movie.

• A small production company will create and have an idea for a new movie. These production companies will then have to get funding for this movie. Movies often cost many millions of dollars/pounds to make. The production company will go to a distributor for this money.

Producer examples for horror films

Who distributes horror films?

• Distributors are the people with money. They are often the large and well known studios, which are wealthy and own much of the world’s media.

• Once the film has been produced (made), the distributors start marketing the film in ways such as interviews with stars, billboards and posters.

• As the distributors provide most of the money to the film, they also gain most of the profits of the film.

Distribution examples for horror films

• Most of the time, distributers are American, which is why most films are produced and shown in America and shown in cinemas.

Examples of horror films distributed by Universal:•Son of Frankenstein•The invisible man returns•The mummy •Nightmare

Distribution examples for horror films

Examples of horror films distributed by 20th century fox:•Hide and seek•What lies beneath•Alien•The happening•The fly•The Conjuring

Examples of horror films distributed by Warner bros pictures:•The Exorcist•Trick ‘r treat•The Reaping•The Invasion•The Reaping•The Terror

The Conjuring• Production companies • New Line Cinema, Safran Company and The Evergreen

Media Group

• Distributors: Over 35 distributors• 20th Century Fox• Warner Bros• Intercom

The Conjuring is a very popular horror movie and as shown, the distributors are very well known. Whereas, the production companies are less familiar, as these companies tend to be smaller.