Blinded By The Light: case study blog tasks
Blinded By The Light: case study blog tasks
Create a new blogpost called 'Blinded By The Light case study'. Work through the following tasks to build a detailed understanding the of the film's funding, production, distribution and marketing. This will give you plenty of background information to use in an exam question on the film industry.
Background reading and production research
Read the following interviews and features on Blinded By The Light:
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
3) Research Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema on the Warners website here. Summarise the history of New Line Cinema in a short paragraph.
4) Read this Variety interview with director Gurinder Chadha explaining how the project came about - including budget details. What attracted Gurinder Chadha to the project and how did she manage to get the film made?
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
Marketing, promotion and reception
Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film.
Watch the film being promoted on The One Show (BBC1):
Watch writer Sarfraz Manzoor talking about 1980s nostalgia and British-Asian identity:
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
Highlights on the coming of age aspect of the film, promotes to a younger audience.
Highlights on the theme of family, can promote to families or an older audience.
80s theme, appeals to an older audience who may have grown up in the 80s.
6) Go to the Bend It Networks YouTube channel. How does Gurinder Chadha introduce the channel? What other content is on the Bend It Networks YouTube channel?
Writer Sarfraz Manzoor on the story behind the film - Guardian
Manzoor again on the promotion of the film and audience reaction
Variety feature on the best films from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival
Manzoor again on the promotion of the film and audience reaction
Variety feature on the best films from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival
1) What is the story behind the production of the film?
The story is based on the life of Sarfraz Manzoor, who grew up in Luton and was a Bruce Springsteen fan and felt inspired by his work. This film was set in the 80s and expertly showcases racism and struggles during this era. His father wanted him to become a doctor, but through Bruce Springsteen Sarfraz felt empowered to stray from this traditional path.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
Some felt a connection with the film and felt interlinked with the themes and concepts, on the other hand those who did not identify with the film still felt moved.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
It assists independent films in presenting their movies to buyers, enabling them to reach larger audiences and gain more promotion.
Funding and industry contexts
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
Budget- $15 million
- Levantine films
- New line cinema
- Ingenious media
- Bend it films
- Corner store films
Viceroys House
Bend it like Beckham
Bride and Prejudice
Angus Thong and Perfect Snogging
3) Research Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema on the Warners website here. Summarise the history of New Line Cinema in a short paragraph.
Established in 1967 by Robert Shaye, it is an independent film distribution company. Shaye started the business in New York after graduating from Columbia Law School.
4) Read this Variety interview with director Gurinder Chadha explaining how the project came about - including budget details. What attracted Gurinder Chadha to the project and how did she manage to get the film made?
She was a fan of Bruce Springsteen, caught his attention because Bend It Like Beckham was one of his wife’s favorite films. This led Bruce to generously give them the rights to 16 of his songs for free, enabling them to make the movie.
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
1) Which company won the distribution rights after the all-night auction and for how much?
Warner Bros, which will handle the marketing and distribution, is collaborating with New Line on the film.Warner Bros, which will handle the marketing and distribution, is collaborating with New Line on the film.
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
Lionsgate, Fox Searchlight, and other companies
Springsteen’s songs, with their universal appeal, capture the struggle to overcome a tough upbringing, the drive for ambition, and the fight to break free and create a meaningful life.
Marketing, promotion and reception
Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film.
Watch the trailer for Blinded By The Light:
Watch the film being promoted on The One Show (BBC1):
Watch writer Sarfraz Manzoor talking about 1980s nostalgia and British-Asian identity:
Watch this 'fans dream' featurette produced by Bend It Networks:
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
It is a coming of age film most likely aimed at teenagers or people born in the 80s.
2) What TV shows and websites did interviews with writer, director and stars of Blinded By The Light? Why are interviews a good way to promote a new film release?
3) What did film posters for Blinded By The Light feature and where did they appear? You may need to research this on Google Images.
They all feature Javed, but with small differences such as different colour schemes and text.
4) What social media accounts did Blinded By The Light use to promote the film? Note: some sites may be blocked if you are working in school - you will need to use your phone or complete your research at home.
They used instagram: @blindedbythelight
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
Highlights on the theme of family, can promote to families or an older audience.
80s theme, appeals to an older audience who may have grown up in the 80s.
6) Go to the Bend It Networks YouTube channel. How does Gurinder Chadha introduce the channel? What other content is on the Bend It Networks YouTube channel?
She introduces it as a network for connecting around the world and bring people together. Other videos include some videos of interviews and touching on some cultural topics.
7) Look at the box office figures for Blinded By The Light from The Numbers website. How much did it make at the box office and why do you think it was largely unsuccessful?
In the worldwide box office, $19,529,914 was earned. Compared to a budget of around $15 million, this would mean a profit margin of 3 million.
8) Click on the tabs with further information (such as 'News', 'Box Office' and 'Video Sales'). Copy and paste some more statistics or sales figures to add to your understanding of the film's financial performance.
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