Explain what you believe the term distribution to mean [2]
Distribution refers to the ways in which a media product is made accessible to an audience by the producer. For example, the film black Panther has been distributed through digital streaming on Disney +, through theatrical distribution in cinemas and physical distribution, for example through DVD and BD sales.
To what extent is Black Panther typical of a mainstream film? [6]
Underline the key terms
To what extent is Black Panther typical of a mainstream film? [6]
Knee jerk reaction
Black Panther is typical of mainstream cinema in almost every single way
Plan
Conglomerate
High production values
200 million dollars
1.6 billion dollars revenue
Michael B Jordan - established actor
Kilgore
CGI
150 million spent on marketing
Producer - marvel studios
Distributer - Disney studios
Clear genre conventions
Action
Superhero
Minimise risk and maximise profit - Hesmondhalgh
Synergy with other brands eg Toyota
Product placement
Pre-sold audience
Curran and Seaton - power and profit
Buying out competition
Vertically and horizontally integrated
Ryan coogler director - established director
Distributed through Netflix
The through Disney +
Merchandise
Introduction
DAC - definition, argument, context
Mainstream or major cinema refers to films created by vast conglomerates that are motivated by profit and power. In this essay I shall argue that BP is typical of mainstream film production. Black Panther (2018) is a big budget blockbuster superhero film that appeals to a wide audience.
Content
One way in which BP is typical of mainstream cinema can be seen through it’s high production values. The film is fixated on a series of extremely expensive and visually stunning scenes that are only made possible through extensive use of CGI, showcasing very high production values. It is essential for superhero films to demonstrate their high production values and massive budget in order to engage and appeal to a mass global audience. Black Panther was popular in its home market of America, yet was also highly successful in the UK, China , and France .
Another way in which BP is typical of mainstream cinema is through the use of established actors
Michael B Jordan established actor famous from Creed
As part of the Marvel cinematic universe, BP had the advantage of a pre sold audience, and would appeal to existing fans
A largely black cast allows the producers to target an audience who may not previously have been engaged with the MCU. Released around the same time of the BLM movement, Black Panther captured the zeitgeist of political movements at the time, and the phrase ‘Wakanda forever’ became associated with the BLM movement. This widespread exposure is typical of mainstream
Steve Neale - repetition and difference: the representation of black people becomes a marketing technique for the producer, allowing the film to target black audiences
Black Panther was distributed in a variety of different ways to minimise risk and to maximise profit. These methods included digital distribution, theatrical distribution and physical distribution. Such mass distribution is only possible through the involvement of a mainstream, major conglomerate
The themes of the film: simple and straightforward
To what extent has black panther been affected by regulatory frameworks? [10]
Regulation refers to the rules and restrictions a media industry must follow. The film industry in the UK is regulated by the BBFC, who principally regulate films through a system of age certification. I shall argue that that Black Panther has been significantly
+ affected by regulatory frameworks, in order to ensure the film receives a 12A certificate and can therefore minimise risk and maximise profit
The BBFC primarily exists to reduce the risk of harm and offence that may occur if someone too young were to watch a certain film. In order to mitigate this risk and to be seen by as many many people as possible, BP is edited in such a way as to reduce the impact of the violence. The BBFC is concerned with the detail of violence, with explicit violence being potentially harmful to younger audiences. To mitigate this, Black Panther does not focus on injury detail. With explicit injury detail, the film may be a 15 certificate, and therefore exclusionary to younger audiences.
Disney and other major conglomerates aggressively target younger teenage audiences. Younger audiences typically have more time to watch films, and also have expendable income which is highly desirable to producers. While the fight scenes of BP are brutal, the editing will cut away before any explicit injury detail.