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?

This film is based on Safraz manzoors life. He grew up in luton in the 80s and became obsessed with springsteen as an escape from reality. Gurinder Chadha is the director that brought his story to life.

2) What was the audience reaction to the film?

The audience loved the film and particularly liked the relationship between javed and roops as it was heartwarming.

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

The sundance film festival helps independent films be recieved by a wider audience. it provides a platform for buyers to see movies and pitch prices.

Funding and industry contexts

1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?

15 million GBP. Levantine films. bend it networks.

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

Beecham house, Viceroys house, desi rascals,  Its a wonderful afterlife, angus thongs and perfect snogging. bride and prejudice.


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, founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye, began as a distribution company focused on low-budget films.  became well known in the 1980s for producing the Nightmare on Elm Street series,  New Line continued to thrive in the 1990s and 2000s with hits like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Conjuring series. In 1994, New Line was acquired by Warner Bros.. However, it continued to operate as an independent label under Warner’s umbrella, specialising in a diverse range of films, particularly in the fantasy, horror, and drama genres.

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? 

Themes of identtity nd the power of music made Chadha want to make this film. As a british indian woman she resonated with the themes of this movie. Production companies helped budget her film and Sundance helped to promote it.

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, the latter of which will market and distribute the film.

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

Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate and others

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

The universal appeal of Springsteen’s coming-of-age tunes, which tell honest stories about a hardscrabble upbringing, ambition and the fight to break free of all shackles to do something worthwhile with one’s life.


Marketing, promotion and reception

Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film. 

Watch the trailer for Blinded By The Light:

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

Its a coming of age film that is probably targeted towards teenagers but also people born in the 80s

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 one show. 

The Guardian, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and YouTube channels like Warner Bros.

Interviews are good as they allow you to understand the directors feelings and emotions towards the film nf their thinking behind it.

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 all featured the main character Javed. They appeared in countries such as England, USA and France

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.

@blindedbythelightmovie on Instagram to promote.

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

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?

Gurinder introduces it as a means to connect with her audience and post interviews where they can get to know her.

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 only made 19 million at the box office. It was unsuccesful as another movie called tommorow with the same lot came out at the same time so people watched that.

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.

Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office	$11,901,145	Details
International Box Office	$7,628,769	Details
Worldwide Box Office	$19,529,914
Home Market Performance
Est. Domestic DVD Sales	$599,761	Details
Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales	$551,394	Details
Total Est. Domestic Video Sales	$1,151,155
Further financial details...