Warp – Profile • Small British film production company (10-20 staff) • Specialise in low budget, issues-based films for a domestic market • 1-3 films per year • Independent, but work with UKFC/ BFI (for funding), StudioCanal and Film4 (for distribution) through an alliance.
Warp– Type of Films they produce • Not “feelgood” or mainstream • Issue-driven films • Represent real Britain (often gritty, social realist) • Small-budget (<£1.5m); niche audience • Film festivals and independent cinemas • Focus on developing talent
Warp– Type of Films they produce • Submarine illustrates this: – Not “feelgood” or mainstream – Issue-driven – Represent real Britain – Small-budge (£1.2m)t; niche audience – Limited distribution – International Film festivals and UK independent cinemas (distributed to 100 UK cinemas)
Warp – Targeting Audiences • Specific and niche audiences: – Film4 audience – Independent cinema audiences – UK audience – Not US audiences
Warp receive a lot of their funding from public funds such as the National Lottery
Warp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ownership Warp have no parent company Warp have a sister company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Warp Records, and WarpX (a production company specialising in low-budget films that aim to develop talent
Warp have deals with Channel 4, Madman Ent and StudioCanal for guaranteed distribution
Warp own three online distribution/ online retail outlets, but no other distribution companies
How does Warp’s ownership help them to be successful? • Total autonomy • BFI link: Puts Warp at the forefront of development of talent • Guaranteed distribution for Warp X Films (through alliance with Film4 and StudioCanal) • Some self-distribution for homeentertainment DVD market through its online shops
Warp – Technology • Shoot digitally (save money) • No 3D; no CGI • Significant digital marketing • Digital distribution is vital to small production companies – wider distribution
Warp – Strategy • UK market (with some Australia) • Issues-driven • Real/ gritty Britishness • Develop talent • Reject mainstream: aim for arthouse and independent audiences