Blinded By The Light case study
Background reading and production research
Read the following interviews and features on Blinded By The Light:
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
Distribution
Read this Deadline feature on the distribution deal for Blinded By The Light and answer the following questions:
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
The strips and colours as well as the stars in the second poster clearly reference the American flag so it can appeal to an American Audience. This also paired with writing Bruce Springsteen on the poster attracts his fans and he is from America which helps further attract that audience. The posters have the directors name which may attract her fans or fans of her previous work like Bend It Like Beckham which was a huge success for her. The clothing and the walk man depict the clothing and objects that were popular in the 80s clearly showing it is set in the 80s and attracts an older audience of people who grew up then by nostalgia. Javed on the cover may also attract a younger audience since they may feel a personal identity with him since he is also young and everyone can connect to the movie because it is a coming of age movie.
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?
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?
The story is based on a true story of Sarfraz Manzoor. He grew up in Luton and loved to write he felt inspired by Bruce Springsteen's music which helped him to stand up to his Dad who wanted him to go down a more traditional path by becoming a Doctor or a Lawyer. It is set in the 80s when Sarfraz grew up and also shows the racism and the struggle his family and other Asians had to endure during that time in Luton.
2) What was the audience reaction to the film?
Some of the audience identified with the characters in the movie and felt their lives or people in their lives being reflected. Other people has nothing in common with the characters but felt moved by the emotional story.
3) Why is the Sundance Film Festival such an important part of the film industry - particularly for lower budget films?
It helps independent films to pitch their movies to buyers so that they can be seen by wider audiences and promotes them.
Funding and industry contexts
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
The budget was $15 million
New Line Cinema
1) What was the budget for Blinded By The Light and which companies contributed to the production budget?
The budget was $15 million
New Line Cinema
Levantine Films
Ingenious Media
Bend it films
Corner stone film
2) Research the Bend It Networks website. What other films and projects has the company been involved with?
Bend It Like Beckham
Bride and Prejudice
Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Viceroys House
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.
It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and is an independent film distribution company. He founded the company in his New York apartment after graduating law school from Columbia law school. He supplied foreign and art films to different 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?
It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and is an independent film distribution company. He founded the company in his New York apartment after graduating law school from Columbia law school. He supplied foreign and art films to different 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?
She was a fan of Bruce Springsteen and one of Bruce's wife's favourite films was Bend It Like Beckham and Bruce gave them the rights to 16 of his songs for free which allowed them to make the movie.
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 cinema - $15 million
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
Fox and Lionsgate
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
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. In 2023 eOne was bought by Lionsgate. Read this press release on Lionsgate acquiring eOne Entertainment and write one reason for the deal.
It adds 6500 films to the Lionsgate library and it diversifies and expands its portfolio
Marketing, promotion and reception
Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film.
New line cinema - $15 million
2) Which other companies were rumoured to be bidding for the distribution rights?
Fox and Lionsgate
3) According to the article, what was the 'allure' of Blinded By The Light?
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. In 2023 eOne was bought by Lionsgate. Read this press release on Lionsgate acquiring eOne Entertainment and write one reason for the deal.
It adds 6500 films to the Lionsgate library and it diversifies and expands its portfolio
Marketing, promotion and reception
Watch the following clips to learn about the marketing and promotion of the film.
1) What does the trailer suggest regarding genre and the potential audience pleasures of Blinded By The Light?
The genre is a coming of age movie and maybe a musical
The film offers nostalgia for older viewers and personal identity
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?
The Graham Norton show, Variety, The Hollywood reporter, Good morning Britain
Interviews allow them to reach a wider audience and allow the audience to see the actors are relatable and connect with them which will want to make them see the movie
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 film posters all show some 80s iconography so that older audiences feel nostalgia, they all feature the main character which may make the audience feel some sense of personal identity and he is young which may show how the movie is also for younger audiences. They also somehow depict the American flag in the background referencing the films connection to Bruce Springsteen and his album born in the USA
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.
Instagram
5) Select three posts from the Blinded By The Light Instagram page and explain how they promote the film.
The strips and colours as well as the stars in the second poster clearly reference the American flag so it can appeal to an American Audience. This also paired with writing Bruce Springsteen on the poster attracts his fans and he is from America which helps further attract that audience. The posters have the directors name which may attract her fans or fans of her previous work like Bend It Like Beckham which was a huge success for her. The clothing and the walk man depict the clothing and objects that were popular in the 80s clearly showing it is set in the 80s and attracts an older audience of people who grew up then by nostalgia. Javed on the cover may also attract a younger audience since they may feel a personal identity with him since he is also young and everyone can connect to the movie because it is a coming of age movie.
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 says the channel is about her and the audience connecting, they post her interviews and behind the scenes of her movies.
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?
$19 million at the worldwide box office. I think it was unsuccessful not because the movie was bad but because it was released too close to yesterday a blockbuster which had star power and was a very similar concept but with the beetles who were more popular than Springsteen
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.
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $11,901,145 | Details |
| International Box Office | $7,628,769 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $19,529,914 | |
| Home Market Performance | ||
| Est. Domestic DVD Sales | $599,761 | Details |
| Est. Domestic Blu-ray Sales | $551,394 | Details |
| Total Est. Domestic Video Sales | $1,151,155 | |
| Further financial details... | ||
RecordRankAmountAll Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 5,001-5,100)5,080$11,901,145All Time International Box Office (Rank 5,601-5,700)5,647$7,628,769All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,601-5,700)5,673$19,529,914
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