Blinded By The Light: case study blog tasks

 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?

a real life  story based on sarfraz manzoor meeting his best friend after starting at a sixth form college at 16 and being introduced to bruce springsteen

2) What was the audience reaction to the film?

the box office flopped

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

it gives the films the chance to be able to build repoar and fans whe its less well know 

Funding and industry contexts

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

the budget of BBTL was around $15 mil withbend it studios,levintine films and igenious media being involved in the distribution process
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.
Founded in 1967 The company started out small, operating out of Robert Shaye's New York City apartment. New Line Cinema's early success came from distributing foreign and art films to college campuses. 

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? 

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?Warner Bros. won the distribution rights after an intense all-night auction for $15 million.

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

Apparently, Netflix, Amazon Studios, and Fox Searchlight were also in the mix

3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
The big draw of Blinded By The Light was how it mixed Bruce Springsteen's iconic music with this heartfelt, feel-good story about chasing your dreams
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. 
So Lionsgate bought eOne in 2023 because it gave them a huge content boost—like 6,500 films and TV titles to add to their library. Plus, eOne had some major shows like Yellowjackets and The Rookie, which made the deal even better for Lionsgate

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:

Watch the film being promoted on The One Show (BBC1): 

Watch writer Sarfraz Manzoor talking about 1980s nostalgia and British-Asian identity:

Watch this 'fans dream' featurette produced by Bend It Networks:

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

its aimed more towards adolescnts to get them into liking springsteen and potentially 

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? 

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. 

The promotional posters for Blinded By The Light prominently feature the protagonist, Javed, often depicted wearing headphones, symbolizing his deep connection to music. The designs incorporate vibrant colors and imagery reflecting the 1980s setting, with some versions highlighting positive reviews and festival accolades. These posters were displayed in various locations, including cinemas, bus stops, and billboards, as well as online platforms, to reach a broad audience.

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.

To promote the film, Blinded By The Light utilized several social media platforms:

• Twitter: @BBTLmovie
• Facebook: @BlindedByTheLightMovie
• Instagram: @blindedbythelightmovie

These accounts shared trailers, behind-the-scenes content, cast interviews, and promotional events to engage with audiences and build anticipation for the film's release.

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

Behind-the-Scenes Footage: A video post showcasing behind-the-scenes moments during the film's production. This content provides fans with an insider look, fostering a deeper connection to the filmmaking process and generating excitement.

Character Introduction: A series of posts introducing the main characters, accompanied by brief bios and quotes. This strategy helps audiences become familiar with the characters' personalities and backstories, enhancing their investment in the story.

Soundtrack Highlights: Posts featuring snippets of Bruce Springsteen's songs that are integral to the film's narrative. By emphasizing the iconic music, these posts appeal to Springsteen fans and underscore the film's musical themes.

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 Chadha introduces the platform as a space to celebrate diverse stories and voices, reflecting the multicultural themes present in her films. The channel features a variety of content, including behind-the-scenes videos, interviews with cast and crew, and clips from Chadha's filmography, providing viewers with deeper insights into her creative process and the themes she explores.

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?

According to The Numbers website, Blinded By The Light garnered approximately $18 million worldwide at the box office. Several factors may have contributed to its modest financial performance:

• Niche Appeal: The film's specific cultural context and 1980s setting might have limited its appeal to a broader audience.

• Competition: Released during a period with several high-profile film debuts, it faced stiff competition, which could have impacted its box office returns.

• Marketing Reach: Despite active social media promotion, the marketing campaign may not have achieved sufficient reach to attract larger audiences.

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.

Further examination of The Numbers website reveals that the film had a production budget of around $15 million. In the home market, it earned approximately $1.5 million from DVD and Blu-ray sales. These figures suggest that while the film managed to recoup its production costs, its overall financial performance was modest.