blinded by the light case study : film industry

 Background reading and production research

Read the following interviews and features on Blinded By The Light:

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 

1) What is the story behind the production of the film?

He was just a teen in Luton then he met his soon to be new best friend who was listening to Bruce Springsteen, then his friend made him listen to him for the first time. He said it changed his life.

2) What was the audience reaction to the film?

Audience found personal connections to the story. This supports Blumler and Katz uses and gratifications theory.

3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films? 

It gives directors of a minority, whether ethnicity or gender wise a chance to show their work and get publicity.

Funding and industry contexts

1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
15 million dollars. levantine films and indegenious media
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
Beecham house, bend it like beckham, 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 founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye as an independent film distribution company; later becoming a film studio after acquired by Turner Broadcasting System in 1994; Turner later merged with Time Warner Entertainment
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 also a Bruce Springsteen fan. It reflected her own experience as an immigrant. She gt Springsteen's approal in 2010 and despite the budget being small he supported her.

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?

New Line and Warner Bros are acquiring for $15 million for worldwide rights, minus a a few territories, the Gurinder Chada-directed Blinded By the Light. 

2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?

Foxsearch light and lions gate
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
The universal appeal to springsteen's coming of age music.
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. 

The acquisition adds 6,500 film and television titles to Lionsgate's library, one of the largest and most valuable in the world, diversifies and strengthens its scripted and unscripted television businesses

1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?

Musical and teens/ coming of age.

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? 

BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, The Graham Norton Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

It is good because it reaches a wider audience across channels.

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. 

Uk

America

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.

Instagram
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.

They promote the film by making it known/ seem to be a light hearted uplifting film with the dancing, jumping and smiling.

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 platform for audiences to connect with her work and journey. The channel also features interviews, vlogs, and content related to events or shows she has been a part of or attended.

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?

They didn't make much, because of marketing they lost money.

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.