Distribution

How has the UK theatrical distribution of the film been managed in order to ensure the films sucess in th UK

The film premierered in Londons Leicester Square on the 11th of December. This was important to the success of the film as the result of the premiere would help determine intial/critical responses to the film - which could lead to good or bad word of mouth. Signourney Weaver, Sam Worthington were some of the cast present in order to gain media attention and even held short interviews - which were placed online for further publicity to even wider markets (there personal fan groups). This would increase the likelyhood of success as it would generate extra awareness of the film and its imminent official release.

Earlier on in the year the film also exhibited a 15 minute extract of the film to generate word of mouth and keep audiences interested who were following the production process of the film. This made the film more successful as people became aware of the films potential and the majority were amazed by the visual effects and power of the film - and are therefore very likely to later see the whole film in the cinema and spread good word of mouth to similar audiences.


The film was released nationally (and internationally) saturating the cinemas and thus increasing its opening weekend sucess - which lead to further sucess as it broke the $1billion mark, giving it the reputation of a hugely sucessful film. This would help its sucess in the UK as people would become aware (through online and newspaper articles) of the huge appeal and sucess of the film around the world and the UK.

They also delayed the release of the film so that more cinemas could update to 3D projectors, and exhibit the film in 2D and/or 3D to increase there audience and appeal. This could increase the sucess of the fim as people will be encouraged to see it in the newest format possible (3D) and so will arguably be more impressed and immersed in the film than if it was only available in 2D.

Avatar had a christmas time release in the cinemas, which is likely to get in bigger audiences as more people are going on holiday - particularly families - which means they have more time for leisure activities-like films-making it more sucessful than at other times of the year. Also, there were no other big blockbuster appealing to such a wide audience as Avatar, or demonstrating similar technology, or of a similar genre. So it didnt have much competition for other films released in the same week. For example - Alvin and the chipmunks 2 - the squealquel is for a much younger audice, St Trinians 2 is primarily for a female audience and Nine is a musical and so a very different genre.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/now-showing.html - link to films in cinemas now