Blinded By The Light: case study blog tasks

 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:

Funding and industry contexts

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

15million dollars. Levantine Films and the Ingenious Group.

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

   Bend It Like Beckham, Angus Thongus and the Perfect Snogging and Bhaji on the beach.

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. It has produced some the most popular shows such as Lord of the Rings.

4) Read this Variety interview with director Gurinder Chadha explaining how the project came about - including budget details. How did she manage to get the film made?   

5) What attracted Gurinder Chadha to the project? She has also experience what it was like to be British-Asian teenager living in the 80s.


Production and 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 had won the auction at $15 million.

2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights? Lionsgate and Fox Searchlight.

3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light? The universal appeal of Bruce's songs that spread positive messages.

4) What does the article suggest about the significance of Bruce Springsteen's role in the production and promotion of the film?  Bruce had supported and film and came to a screening which may lead to a herd effect and other Bruce fans also come to watch.

5) 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 such as Production and development and marketing.


Promotion and reception

Note: some of these pages may be blocked if you working in school - you will need to complete those particular questions at home.

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

The trailer may convey that the target audience is for all young and old. This is because the film was set in 80s however may also relate to teenagers through the household and sixth form portrayal.

2) What did film posters for Blinded By The Light feature and where did they appear?

Premiers, social media and they are featured all over London and on the tube stations.

3) 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 BBC 1 interview with the man who the story was based on and the actor presenting him.

2019 Sundace Film Festival 

4) How does the Blinded By The Light Twitter account create and maintain interest in the film?

They kept on using blog tasks to create the hype.

5) How does the Blinded By The Light Facebook page use images and video content to promote the film?

It uses short snippets from the movie to create a element of enigma.

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

There is a post with the 3 main characters running to express excitement.

They are using quotes to convey the backstory of what the story is based.

They are showing pictures of him with a headset on to convey this is heavily music related.

7) 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 talks to the audience about the films she has produced and interviews others within the media industry.

8) 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

Yesterday was also screened at the similar time as BYTC and also featured big stars like Ed Sheeren which drove attention away.