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
