Blinded By The Light: case study blog tasks
Background reading and production research
Read the following interviews and features on Blinded By The Light:
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.
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
The film posters feature bright colours which attract an younger audience as it connotes excitement. However, in the American film poster, the colours and blue, red and white which are important as these colours are heavily associated with America. This ensures that a world wide audience would be attracted to this movie as it shows how this isn't just a British film but its a British film that involves diversity. It both American and British posters Javeed is seen jumping which connotes to the audience that this is about finding freedom, which effectively applies to all teenagers as they seek for freedom.
This video features a review from Rotten Tomatoes, a recognizable film review website, which tells audiences of this page that the film is extremely entertaining and exciting.
This scene features the main character with his love interest which showcases the film to have a big part of romance which attracts an audience who enjoys films with romance and love.
This picture posted promotes the film as it suggests not only is this film about romance but also friendship as we see the main character and his fried laughing and enjoying their time together.
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?
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.
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?
Safraz Mazoor's own personal experiences of his childhood.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
That they can relate to this feeling and are happy that they are being represented. This links to Blumler and Katz uses and gratification, specifically identification in experiences.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
It allows these low budget and independent films to find distributors.
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?
The budget was $15 million and the companies that helped with production are: Bend it Films, Levantine Films and Ingenious Media.
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
- Bhaji On The Beach
- Viceroys House
- Bride And Prejudice
- Bend It Like Beckham
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.
New Line Cinema was founding in 1967 bye Robert Shaye and was bought by Warner Bros in 2008 becoming one of its many subsidiaries. Furthermore, it is an American film and TV producer which helped with the funding of the film.
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?
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 had reached out to Springsteen's management after meeting him to get his music, which they did for next to no money which in turn kept their budget retentively low.
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?
eOne earned distribution rights for the UK although it is a Canadian company as well as New Line Cinema.
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
NEON, Amazon and Lionsgate.
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
eOne earned distribution rights for the UK although it is a Canadian company as well as New Line Cinema.
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
NEON, Amazon and Lionsgate.
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
Its allure was that Springsteen's songs fit in well with the coming of age film which communicates a story of growth and passion.
4) UK distribution was secured by eOne Entertainment. In 2023 eOne was bought by Lionsgate. Read this press release on Lionsgate acquiring eOne Entertainment and write one reason for the deal.
4) UK distribution was secured by eOne Entertainment. In 2023 eOne was bought by Lionsgate. Read this press release on Lionsgate acquiring eOne Entertainment and write one reason for the deal.
To increase it's content library and strengthen TV production.
Marketing, promotion and reception
Marketing, promotion and reception
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
Personal Identity: British Asian teenagers who relate with Javeed's experiences or adults who get nostalgia from this
Diversion: Older audiences may watch this for nostalgia as a way of escaping the present and reminiscing on the past
Surveillance: Learning about the past of Britain and how racism and racist groups such as the EDL were a huge problem
Personal relationships: Some audiences may feel a connection to Javeed or his family and continue watching to see if he gets what he deserves
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?
The two interviews came from the BBC and Hey U Guys which was a great way to promote the film as it allows them to reach a greater audience from the viewership of these two companies.
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.
The film posters feature bright colours which attract an younger audience as it connotes excitement. However, in the American film poster, the colours and blue, red and white which are important as these colours are heavily associated with America. This ensures that a world wide audience would be attracted to this movie as it shows how this isn't just a British film but its a British film that involves diversity. It both American and British posters Javeed is seen jumping which connotes to the audience that this is about finding freedom, which effectively applies to all teenagers as they seek for freedom.
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.
Twitter (now X): https://x.com/BBTLmovie
These accounts promoted the film through sharing trailers and clips of the moving which essentially gives audiences a taster of the film.
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
This video features a review from Rotten Tomatoes, a recognizable film review website, which tells audiences of this page that the film is extremely entertaining and exciting.
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 states she wants this channel to be a "home" for her community where everyone, no matter their interests, can come and talk about what they have been doing. However, to promote her films she posts songs featured in the films, interviews and behind the scenes.
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?
It had made $19,529,914 although its budget was around $15m which can be considered a loss. I believe that it was unsuccessful due to the fact this movie would only interest a British Asian audience rather than a world wide one.
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.
| Opening Weekend: | $4,333,305 (36.4% of total gross) |
| Production Budget: | $15,000,000 (worldwide box office is 1.3 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 2,307 opening theaters/2,307 max. theaters, 3.2 weeks average run per theater This table shows how their gross decreased over time which shows that it couldn't keep a stable flow of money.
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