Introduction to Media Distribution

In this second edition, author Scott Kirkpatrick draws from over a decade of personal experience in the distribution arena to provide a clear and up-to-date overview of the entire film, television, and new media distribution business.

Readers will learn what fuels the distribution process and exactly how the distribution business works from beginning to end—not merely what happens to a film or television series upon acquisition, but how distributors develop, presell and broker deals on content before it even exists. This new edition considers a much more international approach to media distribution, with case studies and analyses from across the globe. It also reflects on the ever-increasing relevance of diversity and inclusiveness in the industry, as well as the new media verticals like podcasts and the effects of social media influencers on the media landscape.

The book will be an integral guidebook for any student or professional wishing to understand both the basics and the subtleties of media distribution. The book also contains a robust appendix containing in-depth studies of legal definitions, material delivery requirements, territory-by-territory financial projections and more.

Scott Kirkpatrick is Executive Vice President of Co-Productions and Distribution for Nicely Entertainment—a Los Angeles-based production and distribution company that produces original TV movies and scripted TV series—where he brokers major content deals and has executive produced a variety of TV movies. Previously, Kirkpatrick served as Senior Vice President of North American Sales & Business Development for NENT Studios UK where he oversaw international television distribution deals on a variety of programs. Prior to this, Kirkpatrick served as Executive Director of Distribution for MarVista Entertainment, a production and distribution company that produces original TV movies and has managed international TV deals on major franchises. Before shifting to the distribution side of the industry, Kirkpatrick worked behind the scenes on major studio productions, including Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and has produced and directed TV series and feature films including Eye for an Eye and Roadside Massacre. He is the author of Writing for the Green Light: How to Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices and Mastering the Pitch: How to Effectively Pitch Your Ideas to Hollywood.