Sales and Distribution day proves invaluable for SSAW students

Film sales and distribution are a common stumbling block for many students and graduates, but for six lucky MA and 3rd year BA students this mine-field area was de-mystified during a day of invaluable meetings in London during December.

Led by Hannah Raybould, the party of students from University of Wales, Newport and University of Glamorgan, were treated to an all-expenses-paid fact finding mission to London, hosted by Julian Richards, Head of Production at Jinga Films.

With a hectic schedule to meet, the group were shuttled between some of the UK’s leading sales agents, distributors, talent agents and casting directors, including Focus International, AV Pictures, Salt and Lionsgate.

MA Film (UWN) student, Tamas Tatai was determined to get the most out of the opportunity. He explained: “As a writer I should know about the market trends, audiences and genres more than I thought. These keywords are also important from the director’s and the producer’s point of view and the casting, even if it’s a low budget film, can make a difference in the film’s popularity and financial success.

“I believe that my understanding of the chain of production, sales, marketing and distribution is much clearer now”

Nathan Hughes, MA Film (UWN), who described the event as ‘revelatory’, considered meeting Sam Horley of Salt to be the trip highlight. “She combined a hard-nosed ‘this is how it is’ sense of the industry with a passion for developing new talent, which was encouraging.”

The London trip is part of the selection of short courses arranged by SSAW to support the development of our students, offering access to organisations, companies and individuals which would otherwise be out of reach.

To read Sam Horley's guide to pitching and submitting click here