It is essential for major film producers to minimise risk and to maximise profit. Explore this idea with reference to Black Panther [15]
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| The character Erik Killmonger is highly appealing to audiences of Disney's Black Panther for a number of reasons, not least because he represents a straightforward and conventional villain that audiences of the genre have come to expect. Being the product of an enormous multinational corporation, every aspect of Black Panther was constructed in such a way to appeal to as many audiences, both new and pre0existing, as possible, and therefore to minimise risk and to maximise profit. |
Introduction
DAC
Definition, argument, context
D- The only reason a media product exists is to make money.
A - In this essay, I shall argue that it was essential for Disney to make the largest profit possible from Black Panther, which they achieved in a number of different ways.
C - Black Panther is a sci-fi/superhero hybrid blockbuster that cost a total of $350million and made $1.34billion in total.
Paragraph one: audience appeal
Point
One way in which Disney minimised risk and maximised profit with Black Panther is ensuring that it appealed to its multiple audiences. An excellent example of it doing so can be seen in the Black Panther/Killmonger fight scene.
Evidence
- As an enormous blockbuster film costing a total of $350million (including marketing and advertising), Disney ensured that Black Panther was a guaranteed hit that would certainly APPEAL to it's audiences, in every aspect of its production, distribution and marketing. Examples of its appeal include:
- High quality cinematography indicates high production values
- The selection of actors: fight scenes involve topless hegemonically attractive men, allowing the film to appeal to heterosexual women, who may not be traditionally the target audience for superhero films
- The setting is a beautiful fantasy world, which provides the audience with escapism
- The exciting and interesting costumes of the characters appeal to fans of superhero cinema
- Black Panther is a pre-existing character with a long history, who could appeal to older comic book fans
- Majority black cast, African setting, African accents and afro-themed soundtrack could appeal to a black audience, who would not traditionally engage with superhero products
- Ryan Coogler, the director ,also directed creed, a proven, blockbuster action film, which
- Star power: Michael B Jordan already associated with big budget action films, and already has a proven fan base
- Clear and easy to follow narrative, that follows established genre conventions
- Black Panther functions as a standalone film, with a clear beginning, middle and end. This could potentially appeal to a casual, parental audience who may accompany their children to he film
- Significant use of CGI, exciting and intriguing for the target audience
- Black main cast and themes are unusual in mainstream cinema, and may appeal to black audiences who historically have not been involved in nerd culture
- Black Panther has been in development hell since 1992, perhaps due to the potential difficulty in marketing a 'black film'...
- Chadwick Boseman gives a convincing performance as an African superhero and his authentic accent may appeal to black and minority ethnic groups who do not feel represented
- Representation of African people, as opposed to just African Americans is potentially highly appealing to many target audiences
- Many action scenes and a big focus on action will appeal to pre-existing fans of the superhero genre
- Clear distinction between good and evil, and right and wrong allows even the youngest of audiences to follow this film
- A famous and well known cast will appeal to pre-existing fans of the cast. For example, Michael B Jordan appeared in Creed, another breakout action film with a black lead actor
- Star power: the stars are famous celebrities, and are potentially talking points for the audience
- Hegemonically, conventionally attractive men could appeal to heterosexual female audiences, who are not traditionally the target audience for comic book films
- Mothers are catered for through the use of attractive male actors... sex sells!
- Superhero genre conventions easily appeal to younger audiences, while violent struggles between good and evil may appeal to older teenagers
- Use of fantasy action violence, rather than extreme violence and gore is far more appealing to mass audiences
- Strong, powerful, aspirational female actors may appeal to a female target audience, including a black female audience
- Film was released in the thick of the black lives matter movement, which means it tapped into zeitgeist
Paragraph two - regulation
In addition to its many appealing qualities, Black Panther was also expertly and specifically cut to ensure it would achieve a 12A certificate theatrically
Paragraph three - Disney the multinational conglomerate
It was clear that Black Panther would make a significant amount of money, as the film was produced by an enormous multinational conglomerate