The Anatomy of a

Blockbuster

AS Film Studies

Blockbuster

» More than financial

» But it is key Profit Box office receipts

» More than financial

» But it is key Profit Box office receipts

Blockbuster

» What makes a punter got to the cinema

» Discuss

» What makes a punter got to the cinema

» Discuss

Task 1

» What are the elements which make an international blockbuster? Franchise Literature Other source

» What are the elements which make an international blockbuster? Franchise Literature Other source

Stars

» Expensive» Guarantee?

» Expensive» Guarantee?

Producer/Director

» Reputation» Style» Guarantee?

» Reputation» Style» Guarantee?

Global appeal

» Main issue is accessible to all

» Weather» Global warming» Love story

» Main issue is accessible to all

» Weather» Global warming» Love story

Global Appeal

» Gay cowboys do not fill cinemas

» Gay cowboys do not fill cinemas

Good v Evil

Good v Evil

Culture neutral

» Offends no body» Assumes no cultural knowledge

» Offends no body» Assumes no cultural knowledge

Get it wrong?

» Eg Brassed off Kes Local Hero

» Eg Brassed off Kes Local Hero

Simple characterisations

» Easy to understand

» Straightforward» Understandable » Uses stereotypes» Does not mess

with stereotypes

» Easy to understand

» Straightforward» Understandable » Uses stereotypes» Does not mess

with stereotypes

Stereotypes

Save the world

» Universal interest» Avert disaster» Save mankind

» Universal interest» Avert disaster» Save mankind

Love interest

» Love universal» Sex sells» Romeo and Juliet» Love against the

odds

» Love universal» Sex sells» Romeo and Juliet» Love against the

odds

CGI,Big production, pyrotechnics

CGI,Big production, pyrotechnics

Visual vs dialogue

Branding

» Helps continuity» Note

» Helps continuity» Note

Merchandise

» Additional income» Additional income

Homework Essay

Choose a movie blockbuster and write a essay“Film Title – a blockbuster or not. Discuss”

Choose a movie blockbuster and write a essay“Film Title – a blockbuster or not. Discuss”

» Describe the film (date, director)

» Analyse financial success

» Analyse in what way(s) it conforms to the content of today’s lesson

» 600 words » Tuesday 9th October

» Describe the film (date, director)

» Analyse financial success

» Analyse in what way(s) it conforms to the content of today’s lesson

» 600 words » Tuesday 9th October