Film Industry: Blinded By The Light case study
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
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?
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
Audiences found personal connections to the story. 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 of lower budget how aren't that popular 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?
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
$15 million not including advertising cost. Companies who made contributions: Bend It Films, Levantine Films, and The Ingenious Group.
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
Beecham House
Viceroy's House
Desi Rascals
Wonderful Afterlife
Angus Thongs
Mistress Of Spices
Bride And Prejudice
Bend It Like Beckham
What's Cooking
Bhaji On The Beach
I'm British But...
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 was founded in 1967. New Line Cinema has had a long and successful history of producing critically acclaimed hit films that resonate with both mainstream and niche audiences around the world. New line works with development, marketing, distribution and business affairs to maximise film performance. They produced the Oscar winning "The Lord of The Rings".
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?
Chaha was very worried about getting springsteen on board and getting his songs in the film considering the low budget. 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.
“I knew Bruce really wanted this movie to happen, so I felt money wouldn’t be a problem,” said Chadha, who refused to divulge budgetary details, though sources say that UMPG, which holds Springsteen’s publishing, and Sony Music, home to his masters, cut the director a sweetheart deal. Adds the director: “We always insisted on paying our way as best we could. And that’s what we did. Everybody came to the table with our budget and made it work. That’s how it happened. We were all on the same page, and everything was done through his lawyer. This movie wouldn’t have happened without Bruce’s cooperation and generosity. He trusted us.”
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 for $15 million.
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?
Fox Searchlight and Lionsgate.
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?
Springsteen and his coming-of-age music, the 80's lifestyle (clothes and tech from then) and the ambitions and dreams teenagers want to follow.
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?'
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. With the reach of a studio and the flexibility of an indie, we share bold stories with audiences around the world.''
Marketing, promotion and reception
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
The trailer suggests that the film is a musical/coming-of-age film that's inspired by Bruce Springsteen's music, featuring a young Pakistani boy becoming an adult and finding his true self with the music of Bruce. Also it portrays it self as a comedy as all the funny moments that happened in the film happened in the trailer.
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?
Interviews recorded for Hey U guys, BBC One and the Bend It Network YouTube Channel. they are a good way to promote the new film release as it gets shown to a wide variety of audience that may be interested in the film genera.
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 of the posters shows us Javed only, while others showed us Javed, his friend, and his girlfriend. Both posters have text written on them; "The feel good movie of the year", "Inspired by a true story", "It makes you want to run through the streets, blasting your favorite songs".
These posters appeared in London, Luton, and Asbury Park, New Jersey.
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.
YouTube was used to promote the trailer as well as the interviews.
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
https://www.instagram.com/blindedbythelightmovie/reel/B1g69nqFdt8/?hl=en
This one promotes the nature of the film basicly saying its the best movie of the coming of age genera.
https://www.instagram.com/blindedbythelightmovie/reel/B1ZMjl7Fn4p/?hl=en
This one tell us to go watch it by telling us if you like music you would like it as well as using Bruce Springsteen.
https://www.instagram.com/blindedbythelightmovie/p/B45ZYtVlh0j/?hl=en
With this one it promotes it by calling it "a roller coaster of emotions."
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?
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 by saying that the channel is about her and the audience connected, and that she make Bend It TV to share her audiences interests.
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 around $20 million which barely break even no including advertising cost of the film. I think it was so largely unsuccessful as the audience is small as most people either don't know Springsteen or they know him but don't want to watch a whole movie just to listen to his music. Also the story was done many times by know and its quite boring and predictable. Also a similar type of a movie was released at the same time as BBTL was which took a lot of its potential audience.
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.
Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records
| Record | Rank | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,901-5,000) | 4,997 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 5,401-5,500) | 5,486 | $13,681,124 |
| All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 4,201-4,300) | 4,288 | $11,901,145 |
| Top 2019 Movies at the Domestic Box Office (Rank 101-200) | 115 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Real Life Events Movies (Rank 201-300) | 292 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 4,401-4,500) | 4,429 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for Dramatization Movies (Rank 301-400) | 365 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 901-1,000) | 973 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 1,601-1,700) | 1,673 | $11,901,145 |
| All Time Domestic Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 601-700) | 675 | $11,901,145 |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2019 | 10 | $4,333,305 | 2,307 | $1,878 | $4,333,305 | 1 | |
| Aug 23, 2019 | 14 | $1,982,086 | -54% | 2,307 | $859 | $8,103,492 | 2 |
| Aug 30, 2019 | 18 | $1,215,303 | -39% | 1,673 | $726 | $10,202,476 | 3 |
| Sep 6, 2019 | 22 | $417,383 | -66% | 468 | $892 | $11,317,597 | 4 |
| Sep 13, 2019 | 27 | $194,191 | -53% | 265 | $733 | $11,667,236 | 5 |
| Sep 20, 2019 | 34 | $47,838 | -75% | 143 | $335 | $11,777,706 | 6 |
| Sep 27, 2019 | 34 | $41,524 | -13% | 124 | $335 | $11,842,193 | 7 |
| Oct 4, 2019 | 43 | $30,636 | -26% | 75 | $408 | $11,890,648 | 8 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2019 | 9 | $1,403,136 | 2,307 | $608 | $1,403,136 | 1 | ||
| Aug 17, 2019 | 10 | $1,736,323 | +24% | 2,307 | $753 | $3,139,459 | 2 | |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 10 | $1,193,846 | -31% | 2,307 | $517 | $4,333,305 | 3 | |
| Aug 19, 2019 | 10 | $418,246 | -65% | 2,307 | $181 | $4,751,551 | 4 | |
| Aug 20, 2019 | 10 | $629,601 | +51% | 2,307 | $273 | $5,381,152 | 5 | |
| Aug 21, 2019 | 11 | $420,063 | -33% | 2,307 | $182 | $5,801,215 | 6 | |
| Aug 22, 2019 | 12 | $320,191 | -24% | 2,307 | $139 | $6,121,406 | 7 | |
| Aug 23, 2019 | 14 | $581,160 | +82% | -59% | 2,307 | $252 | $6,702,566 | 8 |
| Aug 24, 2019 | 14 | $854,472 | +47% | -51% | 2,307 | $370 | $7,557,038 | 9 |
| Aug 25, 2019 | 14 | $546,454 | -36% | -54% | 2,307 | $237 | $8,103,492 | 10 |
| Aug 26, 2019 | 14 | $190,881 | -65% | -54% | 2,307 | $83 | $8,294,373 | 11 |
| Aug 27, 2019 | 14 | $310,427 | +63% | -51% | 2,307 | $135 | $8,604,800 | 12 |
| Aug 28, 2019 | 15 | $219,072 | -29% | -48% | 2,307 | $95 | $8,823,872 | 13 |
| Aug 29, 2019 | 15 | $163,301 | -25% | -49% | 2,307 | $71 | $8,987,173 | 14 |
| Aug 30, 2019 | - | $291,755 | +79% | -50% | 1,673 | $174 | $9,278,928 | 15 |
| Aug 31, 2019 | - | $464,732 | +59% | -46% | 1,673 | $278 | $9,743,660 | 16 |
| Sep 1, 2019 | - | $458,816 | -1% | -16% | 1,673 | $274 | $10,202,476 | 17 |
| Sep 2, 2019 | - | $416,625 | -9% | +118% | 1,673 | $249 | $10,619,101 | 18 |
| Sep 3, 2019 | - | $121,046 | -71% | -61% | 1,673 | $72 | $10,740,147 | 19 |
| Sep 4, 2019 | - | $90,591 | -25% | -59% | 1,673 | $54 | $10,830,738 | 20 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | - | $69,476 | -23% | -57% | 1,673 | $42 | $10,900,214 | 21 |
| Sep 6, 2019 | - | $113,658 | +64% | -61% | 468 | $243 | $11,013,872 | 22 |
| Sep 7, 2019 | - | $202,651 | +78% | -56% | 468 | $433 | $11,216,523 | 23 |
| Sep 8, 2019 | - | $101,074 | -50% | -78% | 468 | $216 | $11,317,597 | 24 |
| Sep 9, 2019 | - | $33,792 | -67% | -92% | 468 | $72 | $11,351,389 | 25 |
| Sep 10, 2019 | - | $50,422 | +49% | -58% | 468 | $108 | $11,401,811 | 26 |
| Sep 11, 2019 | - | $40,073 | -21% | -56% | 468 | $86 | $11,441,884 | 27 |
| Sep 12, 2019 | - | $31,161 | -22% | -55% | 468 | $67 | $11,473,045 | 28 |
| Sep 13, 2019 | - | $48,673 | +56% | -57% | 265 | $184 | $11,521,718 | 29 |
| Sep 14, 2019 | - | $99,841 | +105% | -51% | 265 | $377 | $11,621,559 | 30 |
| Sep 15, 2019 | - | $45,677 | -54% | -55% | 265 | $172 | $11,667,236 | 31 |
| Sep 16, 2019 | - | $13,354 | -71% | -60% | 265 | $50 | $11,680,590 | 32 |
| Sep 17, 2019 | - | $19,871 | +49% | -61% | 265 | $75 | $11,700,461 | 33 |
| Sep 18, 2019 | - | $16,787 | -16% | -58% | 265 | $63 | $11,717,248 | 34 |
| Sep 19, 2019 | - | $12,620 | -25% | -60% | 265 | $48 | $11,729,868 | 35 |
| Sep 20, 2019 | - | $12,689 | +1% | -74% | 143 | $89 | $11,742,557 | 36 |
| Sep 21, 2019 | - | $23,143 | +82% | -77% | 143 | $162 | $11,765,700 | 37 |
| Sep 22, 2019 | - | $12,006 | -48% | -74% | 143 | $84 | $11,777,706 | 38 |
| Sep 23, 2019 | - | $5,471 | -54% | -59% | 143 | $38 | $11,783,177 | 39 |
| Sep 24, 2019 | - | $5,992 | +10% | -70% | 143 | $42 | $11,789,169 | 40 |
| Sep 25, 2019 | - | $4,724 | -21% | -72% | 143 | $33 | $11,793,893 | 41 |
| Sep 26, 2019 | - | $6,776 | +43% | -46% | 143 | $47 | $11,800,669 | 42 |
| Sep 27, 2019 | - | $11,303 | +67% | -11% | 124 | $91 | $11,811,972 | 43 |
| Sep 28, 2019 | - | $19,638 | +74% | -15% | 124 | $158 | $11,831,610 | 44 |
| Sep 29, 2019 | - | $10,583 | -46% | -12% | 124 | $85 | $11,842,193 | 45 |
| Sep 30, 2019 | - | $4,143 | -61% | -24% | 124 | $33 | $11,846,336 | 46 |
| Oct 1, 2019 | - | $5,286 | +28% | -12% | 124 | $43 | $11,851,622 | 47 |
| Oct 2, 2019 | - | $4,509 | -15% | -5% | 124 | $36 | $11,856,131 | 48 |
| Oct 3, 2019 | - | $3,881 | -14% | -43% | 124 | $31 | $11,860,012 | 49 |
| Oct 4, 2019 | - | $9,602 | +147% | -15% | 75 | $128 | $11,869,614 | 50 |
| Oct 5, 2019 | - | $14,538 | +51% | -26% | 75 | $194 | $11,884,152 | 51 |
| Oct 6, 2019 | - | $6,496 | -55% | -39% | 75 | $87 | $11,890,648 | 52 |
| Oct 7, 2019 | - | $2,312 | -64% | -44% | 75 | $31 | $11,892,960 | 53 |
| Oct 8, 2019 | - | $2,601 | +13% | -51% | 75 | $35 | $11,895,561 | 54 |
| Oct 9, 2019 | - | $2,493 | -4% | -45% | 75 | $33 | $11,898,054 | 55 |
| Oct 10, 2019 | - | $3,091 | +24% | -20% | 75 | $41 | $11,901,145 | 56 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2019 | 10 | $6,121,406 | 2,307 | $2,653 | $6,121,406 | 1 | |
| Aug 23, 2019 | 14 | $2,865,767 | -53% | 2,307 | $1,242 | $8,987,173 | 2 |
| Aug 30, 2019 | 17 | $1,913,041 | -33% | 1,673 | $1,143 | $10,900,214 | 3 |
| Sep 6, 2019 | 22 | $572,831 | -70% | 468 | $1,224 | $11,473,045 | 4 |
| Sep 13, 2019 | 28 | $256,823 | -55% | 265 | $969 | $11,729,868 | 5 |
| Sep 20, 2019 | 34 | $70,801 | -72% | 143 | $495 | $11,800,669 | 6 |
| Sep 27, 2019 | 39 | $59,343 | -16% | 124 | $479 | $11,860,012 | 7 |
| Oct 4, 2019 | 44 | $41,133 | -31% | 75 | $548 | $11,901,145 | 8 |
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