Background Reading and Production Research
1) What is the story behind the production of the film?
- Sarfraz Manzoor was beginning sixth form where he met Amolak who introduced him to Bruce Springsteen. This changed his life as it inspired him to follow his dreams and become a writer.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
- Audiences found personal connections to the story. Brendan found himself reflecting what it would be like for him at that age. So many people have responded with empathy to characters different to themselves.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
- It provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talents to wider audiences.
Funding and Industry Contexts
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
- Blinded By The Light cost around $15m to make.
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
- Blinded By The Light
- Beecham House
- Viceroys House
- BILB Musical
- Desi Rascals
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 has a long, successful history of producing critically acclaimed hit that appeal to niche and mainstream media audiences. They have been doing this for more than 50 years. New line works with development, marketing, distribution and business affairs to maximize film performence.
4) Read this Variety interview with direfctor 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?
- Chadha always dealt with the immigrant experience so telling the story of a Muslim Pakistani teenager growing up in England who's life is narrowly structured life is saved would serve as a poignant parallel to the xenophobia of today. She is also a Springsteen fan.
- After Chaha and Manzoor met Springsteen, they reached out to Jon Landau and Barbara Carr at his management company and Tracy Nurse enlisting her to become part of the film's production staff.
Distribution
1) Which company won the distribution rights after the all-night auction and for how much?
- Warner Bros and New Line
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?
- the surprisingly 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.
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?'
- eOne enables every step in the entertainment value chain from development and production to marketing and distribution.
Marketing, Promotion and Reception
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
- coming of age movie about a young boy wanting to fulfil his dreams
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 One, Hey U guys, Bend it Network. It's a good way to promote the film as it gives us a perspective of the creator and their idea behind the film.
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.
- One poster had white and orange striped background with Javed jumping in the air which appeared in the UK.
- Another poster had blue, red and white in the background which was targeted at the USA audience as the colours of the poster match their flag.
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.
- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
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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 the channel about herself and the channel contains trailers and interviews.
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?
- $18,136,756. It was unsuccessful as it made only a bit more than it cost.
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.
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