Blinded By The Light: case study
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.
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
This image shows love and happiness which creates a sense of personal identity and personal relationship.This helps promote the film because it targets people who are interested in romance.
This image shows a happy friendship and people running.This helps promote the film because it creates a sense of happiness.
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 film is based on Sarfraz Manzoor's 2007 book, which recounts his teenage years in Luton, discovering Springsteen's music during a time of economic hardship and racial tension, making him feel heard and capable of writing his own story. Director Gurinder Chadha, known for Bend It Like Beckham, connected with Manzoor's story, seeing parallels with her own immigrant experiences and focusing on themes of identity and belonging.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
People felt a sense of personal identity and personal relationship. This is because people who watched the film related to having parents who were not inspired by their dreams.Furthermore their parents faced many hardships within their life which have made them feel aggressive and hold sadness within their minds and souls.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
The festival made it so that low budget and independent films could find distrubutors.It allowed them further to gain recogniton as well as an audience and start making a profit on their films.
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 for the film was $15 million dollars (able to get Springsteens song for free due to him liking the concept of the film)
Companies-Ingenious media,Bend it films,Levantine Films
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
-Bend it like beckham
-bride and predudice
-viceroys house
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.
It was made and found in 1967 by Robert shaye.It was then bought by Warner brothers in 2008.
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 able to limit her budget by the help of the companies she worked with.Furthermore she reached out to Springsteens team and due to him liking the concept of the film idea she was able to recieve his music for free which helped with the low budget production
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
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?
New line cinema and eOne
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 and amazon
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
Springsteens song helped with a sense of belonging such as personal identity.This is because his songs made there be a sense of connection with the plot.Furthermore it fit in with the sense of coming of age in society.
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.
Strengthen TV production
Marketing, promotion and reception
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
In my opinion i highly believe that the trailer creates all four audience pleasures.For example there is a sense of personal identity because of the fact the main character is from a traditional pakistani background where there is a high sense of maybe feeling detached from your family or feeling a sense of isolation.As well as this there is a sense of personal relationship displayed between Sprinsteens music and the main character which reinforces a sense of friendship between Springsteen and the main character because it is like he is talking to him.To the audience it makes them feel connected with Springsteens music and see him as a friend.There is a sense of diversion due to Springsteens music being an escape from reality and a way to help contain your thoughts.In some ways there is a sense of surveillence because it portrays that music can help calm the human mindset.Furthermore it displays how we should be nurturing to the people around us.
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 BBC did an interview which was very useful for Blinded By The Light because it attracted a mainstream audience as well as the BBC was able to positively promote Blinded by the Lights
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 appered on cinemas and in America all around.It was used as traditional marketing scheme in order to gain an audience.Furthermore the colour scheme of red white and blue reinforces america since it is the colours of the flag and the production was run by american companies.
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.
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
The last clip i was unable to add to this blog itself.However it contains the main character and his girlfriend riding a bike looking happy and in love.It promotes romance because of how they are positioned and their facial expressions.
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?
-channel is a home for her community
-promotes interviews and behind the scenes
-sometimes trailers
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 made $19,529,914 which was a huge loss.This is because they only made around just over 3 million in profits and most films would want to hit a lot more such as 5-10 million profit minimum.
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