- Monopolies – The exclusive possession / control of the supply of or trade in a commodity / service.
- Gatekeepers – A system that decides what info is released to the public.
- Regulation – Rules enforced by the jurisdiction of law in which a range of specific bindings / tools are applied to media systems.
- Deregulation – Taking away power in the government of a company to create more competition and fight for promotions.
- Free market – An unregulated system of economic exchange in which taxes, quality controls, quotas, tariffs and other forms of centralised economic interventions by the government do not exist or are minimal.
- Commodification – A process of using other peoples services, ideas and relationships to create objects for sale.
- Convergence – The merging of previously distinct media to create an entire new form of communication expression.
- Diversity – A variety or assort of media.
- Innovation – The changing in several aspects of the media landscape. The invention of new vales in the marketing sector.
- Cultural industries – A economic sector that is primarily engaged in producing, reproducing, storing and distributing cultural goods and services.
- Production – Making a product that is viewable through sound and video.
- Distribution – A product is released and delivered to the receiving audience.
- Exhibition / Consumption – A product being released and purchased by consumers in the public.
- Media concentration – A couple of people or company that control the flow and release of media.
- Conglomerates – A father company that owns multiple smaller companies which control media flow.
- Globalisation – Sending media throughout a worldwide system using different forms of distribution to different types of cultures.
- Cultural imperialism – Western nations dominate the media around the world.
- Vertical Integration – A media company that owns multiple businesses in the same type of production and distribution.
- Horizontal Integration – A media company that owns multiple businesses of the same monetary value.
- Mergers – Two or more companies merge together to make one big company that produce and distribute a certain type of media.
Category Archives: Institution
Filters
Blinded by the light notes
Summary
website (Bend it Networks)
• website (Warners)
• posters
• trailer
• social media presence (Twitter, Instagram, facebook etc).
His experiences as a British Muslim boy growing up in 1980s Luton and the impact Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics had upon him.
It is a low-mid budget release ($15m) co-funded by ‘New Line Cinema’, a company owned by the ‘Warner Brothers Picture Group’.
WarnerMedia – is a Global Conglomerate of Warner Bros, Home Box Office, Turner Entertainment Networks, CNN Worldwide, etc
It was directed by Gurinder Chada, a British director known for Bend it Like Beckham
“At a time of such political and social instability in the world, this film provides us with a vital reminder of our shared humanity and the transformative power of music on both a personal and global scale.”- Gurinder
“I was so affected by Springsteen’s songs shows just how powerfully music can transcend race, religion, nationality and class.”- Sarfraz Manzoor
Media industries- how does this film work
- Its distributor New Line Cinema is associated with ‘indie’ films although it is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Pictures, part of the global conglomerate, WarnerMedia.
- co-funded by New Line Cinema and independent production companies including Levantine Films, Bend it Films and Ingenious Media.
- ‘Bend It Films’ is a UK based, indie production company owned by major US conglomerate ‘Warner Brothers’. Linking to the fact that major companies need new ideas and concepts, provided by the independent companies they own whilst independent companies need major companies to fuel distribution and exhibition because these major companies have the right to use streaming platforms to display their productions.
- The role of the use of Bruce Springsteen’s music in getting the film financed and in the marketing of the film
- • The use of film festivals in finding distribution deals for films
- • Use of traditional marketing and distribution techniques; trailers, posters, film festivals etc.
- They have 1472 Instagram followers and 37 posts
- • Marketing techniques such as use of genre, nostalgia, identity, social consciousness
- • Distribution techniques – reliance on new technology; VOD, streaming
- • Regulation of the industry through BBFC (British Board of Film Classification).
- • Regulation including Livingstone and Lunt
Importance of film festivals
Five-minute standing ovation at the film’s world premiere at the festival. Carolyn Blackwood, President & Chief Content Officer, New Line Cinema, “‘Blinded by the Light’ is one of those incredibly special films, filled with humanity, heart and pure joy, that is simply impossible to resist.
Gets the film known with popular people who will help advertise it and reach their audience as well as a new audience.
The Importance of recognisable Generic Conventions (and the use of familiar music)
Ideas about the importance of genre: His life is saved when he’s turned on to the music of Bruce Springsteen during the late ‘80s National Front/dole queue era. It serves as a poignant parallel to the xenophobia of today.
The use of recognisable music in the marketing of the film: Music can make the other side of the ocean feel like it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away. It’s the reason Bruce Springsteen can speak directly to a British-Pakistani teenager, who is just trying to survive the cruelties of Thatcher’s Britain.
Chadha tries to reinforce the meaning of Springsteen’s lyrics by having key phrases fly across the screen, but it’s a totally unnecessary – and, frankly, quite an awkward stylistic choice.
The sense of joy is infectious.
Influences when making the film (social, cultural and economic impacts)
As a low-mid budget film, it can be considered in its economic context having a mix of independent and major production and distribution contexts targeting a different audience to ‘indie’ and high budget films.
http://mediamacguffin12.blogspot.com/2021/01/film-industry-blinded-by-light-case.html
blinded by the light
Blinded by the Light has grossed $17.2 million.
Low budget film that cost $15 million to make
The songs are by Bruce Springsteen a well known American artist
A small British film production that works with warner bros in America, a big film company
The film is advertised on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and they put clips of the film to get people to watch it
Blinded by the Light- Notes
- ‘Blinded by the Light’, directed by Gurinder Chadha (known for 2002 film ‘Bend it like Beckham’), was released in January 2019.
- Blinded by the Light is an example of a US/UK co-production and distribution. Its distributor New Line Cinema is associated with ‘indie’ films although it is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Pictures, part of the global conglomerate, WarnerMedia.
- ‘Bend It Films’ is a UK based, indie production company owned by major US conglomerate ‘Warner Brothers’. Linking to the fact that major companies need new ideas and concepts, provided by the independent companies they own whilst independent companies need major companies to fuel distribution and exhibition because these major companies have the right to use streaming platforms to display their productions.
- Blinded by the Light is a low-mid budget production ($15m) co-funded by New Line Cinema (an American production studio owned by Warner Brothers Pictures Group) and independent production companies including Levantine Films. Bend it Films and Ingenious Media. Blinded by the Light has grossed $17.2 million.
- In an interview with Stefan Pape of the ‘HeyUGuys’ YouTube channel in August 2019, Chadha said that she created a film with a similar theme to ‘Bend it like Beckham’ because it is “what she knows” and that she was “worried about the repetition” which is why she left a 17 year gap between the two. This links to David Hesmondhalgh’s idea that the “cultural industries are risky” and indie companies and even majors often rely on repetition of what they know, and are good at producing, to keep a dedicated audience and fan base, meaning money and reduction of risk.
- The role of the use of Bruce Springsteen’s music in getting the film financed and in the marketing of the film-Blinded by the Light has been described as a feelgood jukebox musical film using the music of Bruce Springsteen.
- Use of traditional marketing and distribution techniques; trailers, posters, film festivals etc.
- Marketing techniques such as use of genre, nostalgia, identity, social consciousness
- Distribution techniques – reliance on new technology; VOD, streaming
- Regulation of the industry through BBFC (British Board of Film Classification).
- it can be considered in its economic context having a mix of independent and major production and distribution contexts targeting a different audience to ‘indie’ and high budget films.
- It is based on the ‘true story’ of a Pakistani boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s. These links demonstrate how the historical context, nostalgia and British-Asian identity is used in the promotion of the film.
- “One would assume it would mostly appeal to British Asians who lived through the 1980s, Bruce Springsteen fans, and in particular, Asian Bruce Springsteen fans who lived through the 1980s.” – Guardian Article : ‘My film is bridging cultural divides. This gives me hope in such polarised times’ by Sarfraz Manzoor, Thursday 29 Aug 2019
- Use of social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as a way of distribution and advertisement. The ‘Meta’ conglomerate uses horizontal integration. The verified Instagram account ‘@blindedbythelightmovie’ has over 6,000 followers however it only follows 5 people, including the director, writer and leading characters. Perhaps the use of these accounts is to send a direct message of promotion rather than a way of connecting with their consumers. (Concentration of media)
blinded by the light
Notes:
- It was inspired by the life of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor and his love of the works of Bruce Springsteen. Manzoor co-wrote the script with Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges.
- The budget for Blinded by the Light was 15 million USD.
- Bruce Springsteen-Themed ‘Blinded by the Light’ Film Gets Distribution Deal. Blinded by the Light, a film about a Muslim in 1987 Britain whose life changes after hearing the music of Bruce Springsteen, has secured a $15 million global deal with New Line and Warner Bros.
Bruce Springteen:
- Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician.
- He has released twenty studio albums.
- He is one of the originators of the heartland rock style of music.
- He has been nicknamed “the Boss”.
- Springsteen was nicknamed “the Boss”, as he took on the task of collecting his band’s nightly pay and distributing it amongst his bandmates.
Blinded by the light
Notes :
- A key example of a low-medium budget film production and US / UK co-production and distribution.
- New Line Cinema is an American film production studio which was founded in 1967 as well as being the distributor of Blinded By The Light film. New Line Cinema is associated with ‘indie’ films and is a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment. This altogether being part of the global conglomerate of WarnerMedia.
- This low budget production cost around $15 million and was co-funded by New Line Cinema, as well as other production companies such as Levantine Films, Bend it Films and Ingenious Media.
- Bruce Springsteen’s music is featured in getting the film financed and in the marketing of the film.
- The use of film festivals in finding distribution deals for films
- • Use of traditional marketing and distribution techniques; trailers, posters, film festivals etc.
- Marketing techniques such as use of genre, nostalgia, identity, social consciousness
- Distribution techniques – reliance on new technology; VOD, streaming
- Regulation of the industry through BBFC (British Board of Film Classification).
- Regulation including Livingstone and Lunt
- A ‘feel goof jukebox musical film’ – description of Blinded by the Light film.
- The director of the musical was by Grinder Chadha. She is a British director known for Bend it Like Beckham.
- A mixture of independent and major production / distribution contexts, targeting towards a different audience to ‘indie’.
- Historical context is displayed by the film being based upon a true story. For example of a Pakistani boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s.
key definitions – institutions
- Cultural industries – A economic sector that is primarily engaged in producing, reproducing, storing and distributing cultural goods and services.
- Production – In media terms, the making of a viewable product through film and sound.
- Distribution – Methods in which the product is delivered to the marketing campaign
- Exhibition / Consumption – The release of a product to the public.
- Media concentration – Few individuals or organisations control the shares of the mass media.
- Conglomerates – A media institution or group is a company that owns multiple companies which are involved in mass media enterprises.
- Globalisation – In media, the world-wide integration of media through the cross cultural exchange of ideas / technology.
- Cultural imperialism – Western nations dominate the media around the world.
- Vertical Integration – A media company owns different businesses in the same chain of production and distribution.
- Horizontal Integration – A media company’s ownership of several businesses of the same value.
- Mergers – Two or more companies combine / merge together to make one singular company.
- Monopolies – The exclusive possession / control of the supply of or trade in a commodity / service.
- Gatekeepers – A filtering system in which companies choose what information is released to the public.
- Regulation – Rules enforced by the jurisdiction of law in which a range of specific bindings / tools are applied to media systems.
- Deregulation – The reductions of government power in a particular industry to create a more competitive aura within a company.
- Free market – An unregulated system of economic exchange in which taxes, quality controls, quotas, tariffs and other forms of centralised economic interventions by the government do not exist or are minimal.
- Commodification – A process which services, ideas and people relations are transformed into objects for sale in a capitalist economic system.
- Convergence – The merging of previously distinct media to create an entire new form of communication expression.
- Diversity – A variety or assort of media.
- Innovation – The changing in several aspects of the media landscape. The invention of new vales in the marketing sector.
blinded by the light
Blinded by the Light is an example of a US/UK co-production and distribution. Its distributor New Line Cinema is associated with ‘indie’ films although it is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Pictures, part of the global conglomerate, WarnerMedia.
Blinded by the Light is a low-mid budget production ($15m) co-funded by New Line Cinema (an American production studio owned by Warner Brothers Pictures Group) and independent
production companies including Levantine Films. Bend it Films and Ingenious Media.
It is based on the ‘true story’ of a Pakistani boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s. These links demonstrate how the historical context, nostalgia and British-Asian identity is used in the promotion of the film.
• website (Bend it Networks)
• website (Warners)
• posters
• trailer
• social media presence (Twitter, Instagram, facebook etc).
It is based on the ‘true story’ of a Pakistani boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s. These links demonstrate how the historical context, nostalgia and British-Asian identity is used in the promotion of the film.
They use instagram, twitter facebook
They have 1472 Instagram followers and 37 posts. They last posted on the 17th august 2019.
13k likes on their facebook page
Blinded by the light has a trailer on Youtube posted on the Kinocheck.com channel with 1.1 million views.
3488 follwers on twitter
They use social media to advertise(distribute)
- Cultural industries- Refers to various businesses that produce, distribute, market or sell products that belong categorically in creative arts. Including clothing, decorative material for homes, books, movies, television programs, or music.
- Production- The action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials, or the process of being so manufactured.
- Distribution- Distribution means to spread the product throughout the marketplace such that a large number of people can buy it. The methods by which media products are delivered to audiences, including the marketing campaign.
- Exhibition / Consumption-The sum of information and entertainment media taken in by an individual or group.
- Media concentration-in which decreasing numbers of individuals and organizations own media outlets, effectively concentrating the ownership of multiple organizations into the control of very few entities.
- Conglomerates-a company that owns numerous companies involved in mass media enterprises.
- Globalisation (in terms of media ownership)-The production, distribution, and consumption of media products on a global scale, facilitating the exchange and diffusion of ideas cross-culturally.
- Cultural imperialism-Western nations dominate the media around the world which has a powerful impact
- Vertical Integration-When a company does all 3 production, distribution and consumption
- Horizontal Integration-When a company only produces.
- Mergers- Combining two or more things into one.
- Monopolies-concentrated control of major mass communications within a society.
- Gatekeepers- is a process by which information is filtered to the public by the media.
- Regulation-a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
- Deregulation-the removal of regulations or restrictions, especially in a particular industry.
- Free market-an economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.
- Commodification-Process by which things, services, ideas, and people relations are transformed into objects for sale.
- Convergence- a phenomenon involving the interconnection of information and communications technologies, computer networks, and media content.
- Diversity-it means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.
- Innovation- the process of not just an “invention” of a new value for journalism, but also the process of implementing this new value in a market or a social setting to make it sustainable.
David Hesmondhalgh says; “All business is risky, but the cultural industries constitute a particularly risky business”
Independent production companies can secure funding from private investors but usually they are funded by arts agencies, such as the British Film Council or the British Film Institute.
Unlike studio films, which usually have a mainstream cinema release, independent production companies enter their films into local, national and international film festivals to gain exposure with distributors who may then buy the distribution rights.
Producers: Gurinder Chadha, Jamal Daniel, Jane Barclay
DistributionBlinded By The Light was picked up by New Line Cinema at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival after a bidding war with various other major film distributors. The film had been well received by audiences at the film festival. The all-night auction following the world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019 guaranteed the film a major global cinema release which many films never achieve.
Previously offered for sale at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival but did not attract a buyer at that point although UK distribution was secured by eOne Entertainment, a Canadian media company.
New Line Cinema are an American production studio owned by Warner Brothers Pictures Group.
The film was released in cinemas worldwide in August 2019. The DVD release followed in December 2019 distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment – a Viacom company.
Deal with Amazon Prime secured in early 2020 for streaming in the UK.
Promotion and marketingBlinded By The Light was backed by a major international marketing campaign: Traditional marketing: trailer, film poster with review quotes etc.
Premieres – London, Luton and Asbury Park, New Jersey (attended by Bruce Springsteen).
Heavy social media presence – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.
Funding
Blinded By The Light cost around $15m to make. Key points:Bend It Films developed the film with support from Levantine Films and Ingenious Media.
Levantine Films is an independent production company that had a major success with Hidden Figures in 2016 which grossed $230m at the worldwide box office.
The Ingenious Group is an investment company that invests money in projects that have the potential to deliver future profits.
Blinded by the light
Warner Bros. Pictures is currently one of five live-action film studios within the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, the others being New Line Cinema, DC Films, Castle Rock Entertainment, and the Spyglass Media Group. The final installment of the Harry Potter film series is the studio’s highest-grossing film worldwide with $1.3 billion.[5]established in 2008, and Jeff Robinov was appointed the first president of the company.
think: how many posts, date last posted on different film accounts and production accounts.
blinded by the light
On February 28, 2008, Time Warner’s CEO at the time, Jeffrey Bewkes, announced that New Line would be shut down as a separately operated studio.
n May 8, 2008, it was announced that Picturehouse would shut down in the fall. Berney later bought the Picturehouse trademarks from Warner Bros. and relaunched the company in 2013.
New Line moved from its long-time headquarters on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles in June 2014 to Warner Bros.’ lot Building 76, formerly used by Legendary Entertainment, a former Warner Bros.
In 1987, during the austere days of Thatcher’s Britain, a Muslim teenager learns to live life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.
Bruce Springsteen writes songs which combine mainstream rock musical style with narrative songs about working class American life.