What are some cheap publishing companies?

What are the different companies involved in producing/publishing a film?

• On most commercial films, there's a list of a few different companies - Studio so-and-so, XYZ Films, etc. Some of the ones listed in the end credits of big budget films seem to have in-universe names, suggesting the company was set up specifically to produce this film. What are the companies typically involved in producing and releasing a film, and how do they fit together? (I'm thinking in terms of the companies who actually own/are responsible for producing the film, more so than suppliers, service companies, etc).

• Answer:

  Generally there are at least three:  the company that finances the film (the studio or studios), the company that produces the film (the production company or companies), and the company that distributes the film (the distributor or distributors).  International distribution is often handled by a separate company, or an overseas offshoot of the domestic distribution company.  A lot of production companies are created solely to produce a film, which is why you see those "in-universe" names.  These are all very important because films are hugely expensive and complicated projects.  The money has to come from somewhere.  That's the financing company or studio.  Someone has to actually make the film.  That's the production company.  And someone has to be in charge of getting the film out to theaters, video on-demand, or television -- that's the distribution company. Additional companies that might be involved: -Visual effects company -Grip/Lighting company -Camera company -Studio rental company