HOW MAINSTREAM FILMS ARE PRODUCED AND MARKETED ( Black Panther )

Summarise the following information and main points about Black Panther's  INDUSTRY AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS with key facts from the resources below 

 

INDUSTRY

PRODUCTION

Ownership : Disney as multinational conglomerate

Horizontal and vertical integration...give examples of other companies and film production stages the company owns

Distribution in cinemas/online /DVD 

Production budget ?  How does this affect the production values of the film ?  i.e how expensive (high) or cheap ( low) the film looks and sounds and how this relates to its budget, genre etc.

MARKETING

Marketing budget ?

Summarise content and technical/genre  codes of trailer and poster and how this appealed to its target   audience and sold the film simply and effectively

360 degrees multimedia and international campaign

Merchandising e.g Hasbro toys

Expensive advertising slots e.g Superbowl 2018

 

RECEPTION

Box office profits ?

Awards ?

CULTURAL CONTEXTS

Summarise these and how they connect to themes of film 

e.g Black Panther Party

Afrofuturism

Oscarssowhite

Black Panther : Marketing Campaign

 Analyse and explain the MARKETING CAMPAIGN for Black Panther   ( small-scale  or large and wide-reaching, formats , platforms, methods used in trailer/posters to maximise audience appeal and sell the film, any other techniques   ) and how audiences were targeted to maximise profit. 

                                             

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Posters and trailer

Official trailer 1

BLACK PANTHER AS MAINSTREAM FILM : RESOURCES TO HELP

 1 Why is Black Panther defined as a mainstream film ?  Explain how the key areas of text , audience and industry apply to the film with some facts and detailed information where necessary

TEXT

GENRES and GENRE CONVENTIONS used in film and marketing materials such as trailers and posters ( mainstream aappeal e.g familiar and traditional conventions of key genres e.g action, scifi, superhero  ) 

NARRATIVE  AND THEMES ( straightforward and clear story with action elements, upbeat ending etc. or experimental structure and downbeat/sad ending , mainstream themes designed to appeal to the audience such as heroism, freedom etc.)

AUDIENCE  As a mainstream film the audience is defined as mainstream rather than niche, large, often passive and usually younger . Traditionally a mainstream audience  would have been  largely defined as white and films aimed at a black or Asian audience  were automatically classed as niche.

These boundaries may be starting to breakdown with the mainstream or crossover appeal of films such as  Parasite and Black Panther.  

The job of the producers is to successfully target, maximise and retain their audience to maximise the profits for the industry.

INDUSTRY 

PRODUCER ( who made the film ? )  

OWNERSHIP ( small independent company or global multinational corporation ) 

FRANCHISE   ( is film a sequel, a spinoff, or part of existing franchise or range of films that would help maximise audience and profits ) 

BUDGET ( small or large, production.marketing etc.)

FUNDING AND PLANNING ( where did the money come from ? Range of small distributors ore one corporation ? How was the  film created ? Script and director  first or led by producer ? ) 

STARS ( mainstream stars that  would also increase budget/possible profits/size of audience ? )  

MARKETING CAMPAIGN  ( small-scale  or large and wide-reaching, formats , platforms, methods used in trailer/poster to maximise audience  ) 

DISTRIBUTION ( small amount of targeted cinemas or wide release schedule across different formats and platforms ) 

PROFITS AND RECEPTION ( How much money has the film made so far ?  )

LINKS TO OTHER PRODUCTS  (e.g soundtrack,games, other films,,merchandise, sequels )

Here are some links to help

OVERVIEW : MAINSTREAM FILM AND STAGES OF PRODUCTION

BLACK PANTHER : KEY PRODUCTION AND CONTEXT INFORMATION

BUDGET AND BOX OFFICE BREAKDOWN

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

    OWNERSHIP

                                  DISNEY AND MARVEL AND THE COMPANIES THEY OWN

         DISTRIBUTION AND AUDIENCE BOX OFFICE figures 

FILM MARKETING : BLACK PANTHER Contexts and historical links

 

Summarise  the following and explain how they link to the film Black Panther :

 

The Black Panthers

article and video 

Afrofuturism

INTRO

video

another video

oscarssowhite

definition

PAPER 1 Section B FILM MARKETING : Mainstream and independent films

TASK 1 MAINSTREAM AND INDEPENDENT FILMS 

What are  the main differences between a mainstream and an independent film ? 

Focus on the key elements of text, audience and industry that we discussed

Use the following to help :

https://www.slideshare.net/Katrinabrookes/independent-versus-mainstream-film

TASK 2 :   MAINSTREAM FILM : BLACK PANTHER 

 INTRO TASK : Answer the following questions about Black Panther  

1 Why is Black Panther defined as a mainstream film ?  Explain how the key areas of text , audience and industry apply to the film with some facts and detailed information where necessary. This should cover :

Genres and genre conventions the film uses to appeal to a wide audience of mainstream genres

Is the film part of an ongoing franchise with links to other media products and therefore a large preexisting audience ?

Narrative structure : is the film linear and have a clear and upbeat ending ? Any room for a sequel ? 

Themes such as heroism ,freedom etc. that would appeal to the mainstream audience

Who produced and finance the film ? What was the budget for production ?

How large-scale was the distribution ? 

How financially successful was it ?

  Does it also have any of the key features more typical of an independent film ?

2 How does Black Panther fit into the Marvel franchise and universe ?

3 What makes it different from other films in the Marvel cinematic universe ? 

Consider  the narrative of the film ,characters, critical response, range of audiences

4 What  made it successful ? 

Consider the film itself, the star, the existing fanbase , the cultural contexts of its release e.g  BLM , oscars so white , the range of audiences. 

ASSASSINS CREED 4 : Black Flag : Case study

 Complete a written case study of the game focusing on all of these elements, using the information from the  video links and websites.

INDUSTRY AND AUDIENCE

Ownership and Franchise

Give summary of company who owns the product and a summary of the  history of the Assassins Creed franchise : focus on key narrative elements, genre, recurring themes and USP of franchise as well as range of consoles and individual games in franchise. 

Maximising income

Other ways the franchise  has to maximise income for the producers and increase the audience ?

 Links to other media e.g film/TV and any physical merchandise ?

Production/Distribution

When was the game released in different formats  and was it a global release ? Was it released in physical and online form ? 

Marketing and Advertising 

How was game advertised ( trailers,posters, articles etc.) and what elements of the game/format were featured and focused upon and why ?



Maintaining and developing the audience

Are there methods to allow audiences to be more active , such as online multiplayer, in game purchases,  choice of avator , fan communities and other interactive features ?

Reception

Summarise the sales of the game , the critical reception on different formats and audience/fan responses and feedback.

Regulation

Summarise the role of the organisation responsible for regulating the game's content and giving it a relevant age rating.

TEXT

Summarise genre, avator ( including personas) , world( setting, era etc.) controls, rules  and goals of game,  multiplayer options and limitations . Any representaation issues in terms of gender,ethnicity,nationality,religion ? 






KEY SEQUENCE : We need to understand the game elements and technical codes of one sequence from the game in detail. 

e.g    Long battle and escape ( first 5 minutes )

Summarise the following :

Use and control of avator, display e.g first/third person, graphics, camera movement, gameplay, controls, menus and inventories, use of sound, goals and narrative purpose of sequence. 

How sequence demonstrates changes in technology e.g quality of graphics and sound, size of world, cut scenes, narrative and representation, as well as which computer game elements and audience pleasures have remained the same for decades. 

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU :

PRODUCER WEBSITE

Article about the franchise

History of the franchise

TRAILER for GAME

  VIDEO ANALYSIS OF THE GAME

COMPUTER GAME INDUSTRY : initial research

 

Research the history of video games and answer the questions below.

1 How have video games and consoles  changed through history? 

Create a timeline highlighting major changes of each 

decade from 1970s-2020 

Consider:

•  which consoles/devices were available

•  the important and influential games of the time

•  the advances in technology and playability

•  main audiences

and links to other media e.g film,social media

2.  What do the following terms mean?

MMORPG

AUGMENTED

REALITY

PERSISTENT

WORLDS

CRPG

AVATOR

3. List and summarise the various audience pleasures and experiences that computer games can provide  ( e.g completing levels , making  money , competition with others etc. swapping tips and watching other gamers etc. ) 

Use these videos to help you

History of games 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuxoThzFPPw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoyGlyrYb9c

History of consoles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ROTfHOvNI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWmdxeAFS-I


Parts of this long feature about the industry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wN4IIDW1o

PAPER 1 SECTION A Practice Exam question

 Analyse the representation of gender in the music videos for "The Man " by Taylor Swift and 
"Riptide " by Vance Joy      ( 30 marks / 800 words minimum)

POINTS ( several relevant effective and detailed points )

e.g The main ways the videos represent gender  e.g women as victim , man as bully

The use of and any ways of challenging stereotypes

Challenging or following audience expectations about genre, the artist , narrative etc.

EVIDENCE

Specific and relevant examples from the videos , focusing on technical codes such as camera shots, lighting and colour ,costume and body language , conventions of music video such as artist performance and the  artist's star profile or persona  

EXPLAIN

Develop your point , contrast to other video or other points you've made, link to relevant theory e.g binary opposites, Hall's stereotypes.

music video unseen text

watch this video

And make notes about how it represents gender and follows or challenges stereotypes using the technical codes such as costume, props, body language, expression, camera framing, lighting, shot types and the performance and persona of the artist

Analyse the   music video for Riptide by Vance Joy  focusing on the following elements. Refer to contextual information and technical codes to support your points.



GENRE AND AUDIENCE

Research and summarise the indie genre : conventions, influences, audience  and key artists.
What is the definition of " indie " and does the artist, video fit into this category ?


NARRATIVE AND ICONOGRAPHY

Linear , clear and resolved narrative , or fragmented montage based on the lyrics of the song ?
Analyse scenes for symbolic objects and the meaning they contain .


REPRESENTATION

How is gender represented in the video ? Look at stereotypes, repetitive motifs and how women and men are  framed narratively and through iconography.



POSTMODERNISM

Which of the following postmodernist techniques are used in the video ?

Consider  these in particular :

Intertextuality ( including pastiche and parody of other media texts e.g  films by cool alternative directors such as Wes Anderson and David Lynch)

Ironic non -judgemental tone  ( particularly when referencing  dark subject matter )

Reflexivity ( the text showing awareness of its artificial constructed nature ) 

How does this change how  the audience responds to the messages, representations and other elements of the video ? Does it change the meaning ?

KEY TEXT : Dizzee Rascal ( Dream) Music video

VIDEO



Analyse  the content of the music video for Dream , using the technical codes ( use of camera, lighting, props , costume, iconography etc )and the narrative of the video  to focus on the following areas :

Narrative

What is the main narrative and message  of the song  , and how is this  added to or altered by the visual elements of  the video ( e.g lighting and colour ,camera framing ) and the techniques used, such as the use of puppets  ? 

Does the video  subvert or confirm the messages and content of the song ?  How ? 

What might the video be saying about Dizzee Rascal's relationship with the pop and grime genres , their audiences and the music industry ? 

Representation 

How is ethnicity, age , gender and class represented in the video ? 

How is the extent of  power and freedom  enjoyed by these characters shown visually ? 

What binary oppositions are created or shown in the video between different stereotypes or characters ? 

Are there any characters that subvert or challenge stereotypes about their social or ethnic group ?  



Intertextuality : What cultural or media references does the video and song make and why ?

e.g Captain Sensible

      Muffin the Mule

           golliwogs



THEORY  :  Postcolonialism( Gilroy) : Summarise the theory  and how it can be linked to content in the video.  Does the video refer to "traditional white Empire  " UK culture  and create a binary opposition with modern multicultural postcolonial Britain ? How ?

MUSIC VIDEO CASE STUDY 1 : Dizzee Rascal : Dream ( 2004)

 DREAM by Dizzee Rascal video LINK

KEY TEXT SUMMARY : Water Aid " Rain for good "

Analyse how the Water Aid charity advert Rain for Good   uses its technical codes to provoke responses, emotions and connections with its target audience.




How is the UK represented in the advert ? 

Who are the target audience ? How can you tell ?


How is the landscape of Africa represented in the advert ?


How are the people in Africa represented in the advert ? Focus on the main character as well as

 other people you see.




What is the central message of the advert and how does it achieve this ? Look at techniques to appeal to the audience and the technical codes used.


Does the advert follow or subvert the conventions of the  charity advert genre ? Compare with other adverts you have seen which focus on negative emotions and representations and focus on a narrative of a victim that need saving. Water Aid's previous campaign is good for a comparison too.  

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szT7grQnHRU)


Give specific examples of technical codes ( camera shots , lighting, graphics etc. ) to support your points 

KEY TEXT SUMARY : Tide print advert

Analyse how the technical codes are used to persuade the specific audience at this specific time to buy the product.

You should include the following technical codes and historical contexts : 

Layout and design

Lighting and colour

Images

Graphics

Clothing /props/ gesture/expression

Lexis ( language)

Unique selling point

Mode of address



the 1950s consumer and technology  boom

the stereotypical housewife

the American dream of success and upward mobility

post-war American wealth

The growth in American suburbs

1950s fashion and film imagery



You should also include analysis of at least two theories

( Hall's Representation Theory  , van Zoonen's feminist represention theory  etc.)

CHARITY ADVERT Analysis 1 MOST SHOCKING SECOND A DAY

 Analyse the " Most shocking second a day     Save the Children campaign advert and explain how it uses the following conventions and technical codes to appeal to its audience and achieve its purpose.

General conventions

e.g  Campaign name , use of direct/indirect mode of address, purpose , 

       How it appeals to audience ( guilt/empathy etc, setting, binary oppositions

Use of camera and editing

e.g use of close ups to show emotion and create empahy , range of shot types in advert

How the advert uses editing ( length/timing/of cuts, order and selection of shots) to structure its narrative and create response in the audience 

Props , costume and mise-en-scene

Key objects , how setting is shown clearly , how props and background are used to show the narrative

Lighting and colour

e.g warm/cold lighting, use of darkness and shadow  

Sound 

Music ?

Sound effects ?

Spoken word ?

How are these used to appeal to the audience and deliver the narrative and messages of the advert

Language  

How written/spoken language provides meaning or provokes a response in the audience

Facts and information

Emotive language

Tagline/slogan

Other language

SHOT TYPES

 USE THIS GUIDE TO HELP

Studiobinder : SHOT SIZES VIDEO

CHARITY ADVERTS : Introduction

Find 2 charity adverts and summarise the following

1 PURPOSE 

To raise money, raise awareness of a social/health issue, to change behaviour in the audience or a combination of these ?  

2 AUDIENCE APPEAL

How do they try and achieve their purpose ? Through empathy, guilt, fear , humour ? 

SOME EXAMPLES

MORE EXAMPLES FROM YOUTUBE

 

INDUCTION : Written Task

BLOG INSTRUCTIONS

You need to complete a written report as part of induction  as a chance to demonstrate your specific areas of  interest in the media and to introduce you to some of the key concepts you will study.


INDUCTION REPORT TASK

Explore how gender is represented  in at least three examples from  the media ( TV,magazines , music videos , games, , film, TV advertising etc) .  You should include both print and audiovisual examples.

You should look at how the media texts reinforce or challenge positive or negative stereotypes about men and/or women  and how this connects with the genre, purpose ( to entertain , inform , sell a product etc.)  and narrative ( story ) of the media text.

What type of product are you analysing?
Who is the target audience ? How can you tell?
Who is being represented and how ?


You should try and use examples of  technical codes ( e.g  camera angles, use of colour , sounds, props, costume , facial expression etc. ) to support your points .


EDIT : You should also include examples where stereotypes and expectations about representation are subverted or challenged.   

Please refer to Stuart Hall's Representation theory in your answer


600 words MINIMUM  PUBLISH ON THE BLOG 

DEADLINE  Monday September 21