| Linear | The events of the plot unfold in the order in which they have occured. |
| Chronological | Events are sequenced in order of time. |
| Sequential | Events which are arranged one after the other in a sequence within in a narrative. |
| Circular structure | When a plot begins in the same place or way that it ends. The characters undergo a transformation and a normal plot occurs in between. |
| Time based | A continuous moving image which displays a change in time. |
| Narrative arc | The path a story follows. Often a narrative will include ups and downs, moments of climax and resolution which is reflected in an arc shape. |
| Freytag’s Pyramid | 19th century German playwright ‘Freytag’s’ diagram of dramatic structure. |
| Exposition | The background information on the characters and setting explained at the beginning of the story. Earlier events are alluded to. |
| Inciting incident | The hook, the event that sets the main character or characters on the journey that will occupy the narrative. |
| Rising action | The incline of a narrative arc. Often, the events that lead up to the climax. |
| Climax | The point of highest intensity or major conflict within in a narrative. The steepest point of a narrative arc. |
| Falling action | The declining part of a narrative arc. Often, what happens after the climax and resolution of the major conflict. |
| Resolution | When an element of the plot is solved. And the exposition of the plot is revisited |
| Denouement | The final part of the narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved. |
| Beginning/ Middle/ End | How linear narratives are sequenced |
| Equilibrium | First stage of Todorov’s theory. The situation and characters are introduced in a normal circumstance. |
| Disruption | Second stage of Todorov’s theory. A change takes place causing an alter in the norm. |
| Transgression | Disequilibrium is often caused by societal / moral / ethical transgression. |
| New equilibrium | Third stage of Todorov’s theory. The change in circumstance is overcome and the situation reaches a new normal. |
| Peripeteia | A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances. |
| Anagnorisis | A character discovers their own, or another character’s true identity. |
| Catharsis | The process of releasing and providing relief from repressed emotions. The purging of strong emotion. |
| The 3 Unities: Time, Place, Action | The 3 traditional unities of drama. The Aristotelian idea that a narrative should be set in once place, in one time frame, focused on one action. |
| Flashback | When the current narrative is interrupted by a previous event which could provide key information about a character etc. |
| Flashforward | When the current narrative is interrupted by an event that is yet to take place. |
| Ellipsis | The exclusion of action from a narrative because it can be inferred from dialogue and other action. |
| Pathos | A quality that evokes feelings of pity and sadness. |
| Empathy | The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. |
| Diegtic sound | Sound that occurs within the context of the story and able to be heard by the characters. |
| Non-diegetic sound | Sound that occurs externally to the narrative, it is not heard by the characters. |
| Slow motion | Visual effect created either by the actors or as a special effect in the edit. Time is slowed down. |
| Foreshadowing | When events that take place later on in the narrative are alluded to or hinted towards. |
| In Media-res | The practice of beginning a narrative by plunging into a crucial situation that is part of a related chain of events. ‘In the middle of things’. |
| Metanarratives | Drawing attention to the process of storytelling. |
Category Archives: Notes
Filters
Blinded by the light (2019)
- Blinded by the Light is an example of a US/UK co-production and distribution.
- Directed by Gurinder Chadha from Bend it Films, who also directed ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ (2002)
- Its distributor New Line Cinema (an American production studio owned by Warner Brothers Pictures Group) is associated with ‘indie’ films and is co-funded by independent production companies including Levantine Films. Bend it Films and Ingenious Media.
- Costing $15million to make, the movie is a low-mid budget production
- Traditional marketing and distributing techniques were used, such as posters, trailers, film festivals etc… , to promote the film
- The true story generates a sense of sentiment and makes it more relatable
- The role of Bruce Springsteen’s music engages a wider audiences through nostalgia based appeals
| Bend It Networks | – ‘based on the memoir ‘Greetings From Bury Park’ by journalist/broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor which chronicles his experiences as a British Muslim boy growing up in 1980s Luton and the impact Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics had upon him’ – ‘he [Springsteen] had not only read, but admired the book’ |
| Deadline (Mike Flemming, 2019) | – ‘New Line has confirmed Deadline’s scoop that it has acquired Blinded By the Light after its big Sundance Film Festival bow’ – ‘It is the biggest sum paid for a Sundance film so far in what has turned out to be a very hot market. – ‘Some of the allure of Blinded by the Light had to do with the surprisingly universal appeal of Springsteen’s coming-of-age tunes’ |
| Variety (Roy Trakin, 2019) | – ‘setting up a spirited bidding war won by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema’ – “It’s a reminder to all of us what our lives were like back then, and what we’ve achieved since then. I believe we’ve moved on from that.” – Chadha |
| Independent (Clarisse Loughrey, 2019) | – ‘strikes right to the heart of why Springsteen’s work has had such an impact on culture’ – ‘Blinded by the Light offers not only a reminder of Springsteen’s lyrical genius, but of how he’s always served as a beacon for the disenfranchised, wherever they may be.’ |
| Production | Levantine Films. Bend it Films and Ingenious Media |
| Distribution | New Line Cinema (owned by Warner Brothers) |
| Exhibition | Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter |
| Merging | in 2008, New Line Cinema shut down as an independent company in order to merge with Warner Brothers |
| Conglomerate | Warner Media – owns Warner Brothers, distributor or ‘Blinded by the Light’ |
| Globalisation | The American company New Line Cinema working with British company Bend it Films allows them to reach a wider market, creating much larger profit margins for the two companies |
| Horizontal Integration | multiple companies worked together to produce the film as well as the multiple platforms used to exhibit the film which ultimately increases market power and reduces competition |
| Cultural Imperialism | The American singer Bruce Springsteen dominates the way that the main character, Javed, perceives the world around him which according to his Father humiliates his Pakistani background |
| Gatekeeping | New Line Cinema will regulate certain aspects of the film in order to promote a certain message. Eg – the incorporation of America in the film appeals to a wider audience as it imposes western views and is representative of the American company |
| Regulation | Rated as a 12A by BBFC due to ‘racist language and behaviour’ and ‘ moderate bad language’ |
Livingstone and Lunt – the idea that there is an underlying struggle in recent UK regulation policy between the need to further the interests of citizens (by offering protection from harmful or offensive material), and the need to further the interests of consumers (by ensuring choice, value for money, and market competition).
David Hesmondhalgh wrote The Culture Industries (2002) which highlights his concerns with the creative industry and it being too business and economically driven, effecting the quality of work life and human well being. Forbes magazine estimated that in 2018 over 80% of the 700+ films created made no profit, which supports Hesmondhalgh’s view that the creative industry is a ‘RISKY BUSINESS‘
| Risks | How the Risks are Minimised |
|---|---|
| It can take considerable marketing efforts to break a potential writer or performer as a new ‘star’, especially without a built initial fanbase meaning hiring newcomer Viveik Kalra as the main character may have posed potential risk | Star formatting allowed the producers to introduce well-known stars, such as Hayley Atwell from the avengers franchise, with a ready-made audience in order to neutralise a potential loss of engagement whilst also allowing opportunity for new actors to thrive. Furthermore, the use of traditional social media marketing techniques allows for wider publicity without being too expensive |
| An audiences tastes are continuously adapting which makes predicting their needs and wants nearly impossible which is especially difficult in such a competitive market | Remaking a previously successful book with a ready made audience ensures the company that the film will generate sales whilst also saving time and money, which could make up for possibility of potential loss, for the production companies as the narrative is already laid out for them. |
| With such a varied market it can sometimes be difficult to generate new and unique ideas, especially when a film is being distributed by such a huge mainstream company like Warner Brothers, and therefore could result in a failed production and a loss in profit | Rebranding Springsteen’s patrimony, the narrative can engage the tastes of more contemporary audiences whilst also touching a wider audience through nostalgia based appeals, such as those who listened to Springsteen during his prime era. Also the use of independent labelling engages the alternative audiences who are reluctant to consume mainstream media. |
plan
- 1: david hesmondhalgh – risky business
- 2:about the film – budget, quote bend it networks
- 3: risk 1 – merging, exhibition
- 4: risk 2 – globalisation
- 5: risk 3 – horizontal integration, production, distribution
- 6: conclusion – quote Variety and Deadline, many risks in the industry however producers minimised them effectively
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT NOTES
- Bruce Springsteen music is used and licenced within the film.
- The film wasn’t a high budget film with only around $15 million to spend on the entire production.
- Companies that funded the film were New Line Cinema, Levantine Films, Ingenious Media and Bend It Films.
- The film used the normal ideas of posters, adverts and bill boards to advertise the film.
- The film wasn’t released on the typical DVD format after being released to cinemas, it was released to a streaming service after making $17.2 million in the box office.
- Perfect example of what a low-budget American film can look like.
INSTITUTIONS – KEY DEFINITIONS
- 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.
CSP – BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
Blinded by the Light (2019)
- ‘Blinded by the Light’, directed by Gurinder Chadha (known for 2002 film ‘Bend it like Beckham’ which made over $100M), was released in January 2019.
- 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.
David Hesmondhalgh says; “All business is risky, but the cultural industries constitute a particularly risky business”
The media and creative industry is based off of audience preference, taste, and how audiences will react to productions. For example, if a production gets a unexpected, negative reaction, money is lost without being made back and jobs are lost, making it a risky venture. Artists and producers take a risk when creating a product as they don’t have any idea how it will be received by the consumers.
- It is based on the ‘true story’ of a Pakistani boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s. The film is written by and largely influenced by Sarfraz Manzoor’s, 2007, personal memoir, ‘Greetings from Bury Park’ (a play on the ‘Greetings from Ashbury Park’ album by Bruce Springsteen (1973).
- It was a ‘medium-low’ budget production ($15m), the British coming of age, comedy was co-funded by ‘New Line Cinema’ (founded in 1967), a company of the label ‘Warner Brothers Picture Group’, sub division of the ‘Warner Brothers’ media concentration. Regulation of the industry through the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification).
- ‘Bend It Films’ is a UK based, indie production company owned by major US conglomerate ‘Warner Brothers’. Bend It Films developed the film with support from Levantine Films and Ingenious Media. 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.
Bruce Springsteen’s Music
- The production uses Bruce Springsteen’s music from his fame during the 1970-80’s. The use of his music is a clever way of not only globalizing exhibition to project to Springsteen fans worldwide and also playing to a older demographic through a sense of nostalgia and way of looking back to the past.
- “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 online Article : ‘My film is bridging cultural divides. This gives me hope in such polarised times’ by Sarfraz Manzoor, Thursday 29 Aug 2019.
- Independent online Article : ‘Blinded by the Light, review: Gurinder Chadha’s ode to Springsteen is utterly joyous’, Wednesday 14th August 2019
- “Blinded by the Light offers not only a reminder of Springsteen’s lyrical genius, but of how he’s always served as a beacon for the disenfranchised, wherever they may be”
- Nostalgia for Springsteen fans
- The director was granted the rights to use Springsteens music at a discounted rate from his management at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and Sony Music. In an interview with Variety (Jan 2019), Chadha reflects on her thoughts before making the film “I know how to make this film, but we have to get Bruce on our side.” Evidently the film needed the funding and support from Springsteen himself to be produced and completed. – Being as Bend it Films is an independent company, it needs support, unlike other companies who can self fund projects.
Distribution and Marketing
- Released in cinemas in August 2019
- Made $18.1 million in box office
- Picked up by New Line Cinema at the January 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA
- This premiere guaranteed a global cinema release.
- Premieres took place in London, Luton and Ashbury park (attended by Springsteen)
- With ‘Bend it Films’ being owned by parent company ‘Warner Bros’, the film lends itself to being promoted through the plethora of streaming services that Warner Bros can access for their productions. For example, the film can be bought or rented on amazon prime video, google play and Apple TV as well as being streamed on Netflix.
- Use of social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as a way of distribution and advertisement. The ‘Metaverse’ conglomerate uses horizontal integration, meaning that it holds many huge companies under its overarching ownership . The verified Instagram account ‘@blindedbythelightmovie’ has over 6,000 followers however it only follows 5 people, including the director, writer and a few 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, it’s sole purpose is to inform and distribute.
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.
INSTITUTIONS
| Cultural industries | Businesses included in creating, distributing and exhibiting creative productions. |
| Production | The making of a product (eg. the people involved in creating a film). |
| Distribution | The marketing/ advertisement of a product (eg. how a film is made public). |
| Exhibition or Consumption | The ‘showing’ of a product and the effect it has on the consumer (eg. a cinema, its workers and an audience). |
| Media concentration | The ownership of many creative organisations is limited to very few people and parent companies. |
| Conglomerates | A company owns numerous sub-companies involved in mass media enterprises. |
| Globalisation (in terms of media ownership) | A company operates globally, across continents. |
| Cultural imperialism | The idea that certain cultures dominate worldwide media productions, therefore, these cultural views begin to dominate. |
| Vertical Integration | A company owns different businesses in the same chain of production and distribution. |
| Horizontal Integration | When a company has many branches including other companies even though they are owned and controlled by one. |
| Mergers | The joining together of creative companies. |
| Monopolies | Large organisations who take ownership of all stages of production. They have control over production, distribution and consumption (or exhibition) rather than dividing out to other companies. |
| Gatekeepers | Large companies control our consumption and guide us towards their recommendations so that they can make profit. |
| Regulation | Companies are monitored by the governments restrictions. |
| Deregulation | When government laws become less strict. |
| Free market | The price for services or products is regulated internally, by the company, not the government. |
| Commodification | Process by which things, services, ideas, and people relations are transformed into objects for sale. |
| Convergence | The joining together of distinct media types to create new media forms. |
| Diversification | A corporate strategy to enter into a new market or industry in which the business doesn’t currently operate. |
| Innovation | Development within cultural industries. |
Answers: A = 1, B= 3, C= 5
institution – key terms
Cultural industries – an economic field which involves the producing, distributing and exhibiting of music, television, movies, publishing etc…
Production – the process of making a motion picture, television show, video commercial, internet video or any other viewable programming
Distribution – the process of delivering products to audiences through advertising and marketing campaigns
Exhibition / Consumption – the retail branch of the film industry/ when the media is taken in by individuals or a group
Media concentration – when a company integrates its ownership of different media sectors (production, distribution, exhibition) with other companies This means that as time progresses, less and less companies or institutions control the share of mass media
Conglomerates – a company that owns multiple companies involved in mass media enterprises such as television, radio, publishing etc…
Globalisation (in terms of media ownership) – the worldwide integration of media through the cross-cultural exchange of ideas
Cultural imperialism – a theory regarding the fact that the western world dominates the ideas and influence of the media industry by imposing western views, often destroying native culture
Vertical Integration – when a company owns different businesses in the same chain of production, distribution and/or exhibition
Horizontal Integration – when a company owns other companies that performs the same part of the production, distribution or exhibition process as them
Mergers – when two or more existing companies unite creating one new company, often to expand a companies reach or gain market share
Monopolies – concentrated control of major mass communications within a society
Gatekeeper – a company who filters the information sent out to the public in order to create a certain message
(Mass Media) Regulation – rules enforced by the jurisdiction of law regarding how the media industry is owned and controlled, often to protect a stated ‘public interest’
(Mass Media) Deregulation – the process in which a government removes rules previously enforced by the jurisdiction of law regarding how the media industry is owned and controlled
Free market – a market when voluntary exchange and the laws of supply and demand provide the sole basis for the economic system, without government intervention
Commodification – the act of turning something into an item that can be bought or sold
Convergence – a circumstance involving the interconnection of information and communication technologies and media content eg, a phone which allows you to read the news as well as just make phone calls
Diversity – a corporate strategy used to enter into a new market or industry in which the business does not currently operate
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.
definition
Cultural industries- the different types of popular media, produces, distributes products in the creative arts generally in favour of popularity
Production- the making of a form of media
Distribution- The methods by which media products are delivered to audiences, including the marketing campaign
Exhibition/ consumption- the retail branch of the film industry/ when the media is taken in by individuals or a group
Media concentration- the ownership of mass media by fewer individuals
Conglomerates- a group that owns multiple companies which stand out different media specialised in written or audio-visual content
Globalisation (in terms of media ownership)- the worldwide integration of media through the cross-cultural exchange of ideas
Cultural imperialism-The practice of promoting the culture values or language of one nation in another
Vertical Integration- a way in which media companies expand by acquiring different businesses in the same chain of production and distribution
Horizontal Integration- a way in which media companies expand by acquiring media companies that work in similar sectors (owns several businesses of the same value eg. a media company can own Magazine, Radio, Newspaper, Television and Books. )
Mergers-a merger or acquisition in which 2 or more of the undertakings involved carry on a media business
Monopolies- concentrated control of major mass communications within a society
Gatekeepers- the process through which information is filtered for dissemination
Regulation- the process by which a range of specific, often legally binding, tools are applied to media systems and institutions to achieve established policy goals such as pluralism, diversity, competition, and freedom
Deregulation- the process of removing or loosening government restrictions on the ownership of media outlets
Free market- one where voluntary exchange and the laws of supply and demand provide the sole basis for the economic system
Commodification- the transformation of the shape of the relationship, which is initially trafficked into things that are free of the commercial nature of the relationship
Convergence- the merging of previously distinct media technologies and platforms through digitization and computer networking
Diversity- diversity of ideas, viewpoints or content options
Innovation- change in several aspects of the media landscape, from the development of new media platforms, to new business models, to new ways of producing media texts
Murdoch x25
- He is worth $17.1 billion.
2. Born on the 11th of March 1931
3. Born in Melbourne, Australia.
4. Went to a very prestigious uni, Oxford.
5. In his early life he was an Australian newspaper publisher.
6. He was also a media entrepreneur.
7. This was largely because his father was a famous war correspondent and publisher.
8. His father died in 1953, leaving him to inherit two newspapers in Australia.
9. He was able to increase the newspaper’s circulation by emphasising the problems of sex, crime, and scandals.
10. He bought and built up the Perth Sunday Times in 1956.
11. In 1960 he bought the significantly declining Sydney Daily.
12. He turned the Sydney Daily into the most bought newspaper in Australia.
13. He became a US Citizen in 1985 in order to be able to expand his market to US television broadcasting.
14. For his first job, he worked as an editor on Lord Beaverbrook’s London Daily Express.
15. In Britain in 1989, he inaugurated Sky Television.
16. Murdoch’s media empire includes Fox News, Fox Sports, the Fox Network, The Wall Street Journal, and HarperCollins.
17. He wrote papers which supported the labour party in 1997, 1001 and 2005 for the elections.
18. In 2011, Murdoch along with his son James provided testimony before a British parliamentary committee regarding phone hacking.
19. This was after a young girl who was murdered had her phone hacked by reporters/journalists in order to make a story.
20. He attended a private meeting in London with the family of the girl, where he personally apologized for the hacking of their murdered daughter’s phone.
21. In 2012 a panel wrote a critical report about him, stating that he was not fit to lead a major company.
22. In 2015 Murdoch was succeeded as CEO at 21st Century Fox by James, his son.
23. In 2017 he agreed to sell most of the holdings of 21st Century Fox to the Disney Company.
24. Two years later this deal with Disney closed and was valued at about $71 billion.
25. Fox News and various other TV channels were excluded from the sale, and they became part of the newly formed Fox Corporation.