Film Industry: Blinded By The Light case study

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?

Sarfraz Manzoor as a Pakistani teenager growing up in Luton in the 1980's and wanting to become a writer against his fathers wishes. He later discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen which helps him find the courage to stand up to his parents and achieve his dreams

2) What was the audience reaction to the film?

A mainstream audience- 'able to relate to the protagonist, yet it has been illuminating how much they have seen beyond religion and ethnicity and responded to the characters as sons, mothers and fathers – as human beings.

3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films? 
It helps independent directors launch their careers in the industry and increases visibility for more niche and independent film making

 Funding and industry contexts

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 contributed were levantine media and The Ingenious Group

2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?

Angus thongs and snogging- Gurinder Chadha was originally brought into the project as a scriptwriter 

Bride and prejudice- The plot is based on Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. Some character names remain the same, while others are changed slightly, using localised names with similar pronunciation (such as Lalita for Elizabeth).


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 have successfully been producing film for over 50 years for both mainstream and niche audiences. They officially became apart of Warner brothers in 2008 and have since  released 'House party', 'Shazam! fury of the gods', 'Evil dead rise' and 'The nun 2.' New line cinema develop, produce, market, distribute and handle the business affairs and activities with these films


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? 

Sundance hosted a spirited bidding war won by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, who acquired it for the $15 million it cost to make. Offers were being texted to Chadha as she sat in the audience watching her own film.

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 cinema bought the rights for $15 million

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

Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate

3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?


4) UK distribution was secured by eOne Entertainment. Visit the eOne About Us page on their website - what do they claim to offer under the heading 'Passion meets possibility?'

They enables and creates world class content.

Marketing, promotion and reception

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

It suggests that it is a coming of age but also about facing real life issues with racism

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? 

CBS news and the one show interviewed them. This helps promote the film as they get maximum exposure and attention so people know the film is on its way.It also helps build anticipation

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. 

It featured the main character jumping and they appeared on buses and billboards.

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.

They had an Instagram account where they posted videos and snippets of the film

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

One post is a mini film poster with the three teenage characters to appeal to younger/teenagers with the coming of age genre


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 posts interviews, behind the scenes and other promotional videos to give audiences an inside on set

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 18 million dollars and it was largely unsuccessful due to its release date being close to  the yesterday film

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.

Video sales were $185 432 and made a total of $7,628769 internationally