a) What is meant by a mainstream film ? [2]
A mainstream film has financial backing from one of the big media conglomerates having large budgets and are made to create revenue.
b) Briefly explain what a media conglomerate is. [2]
A media conglomerate is a media company which owns multiple companies for example Disney owns Marvel
c) Explain two features of independent film production. Refer briefly to I, Daniel Blake to support your points. [6]
The cast in independent films are usually never heard of because of the budgets for independent films being very low the actors which are hired are amateur actors for example in I, Daniel Blake many characters which are present are ordinary people not professional actors.
Independent films don't follow the ordinary studio style like big blockbusters but rather having their narrative focus on a specific subject making the audience think and reflect on certain subjects for example I, Daniel Blake focuses on Daniel Blake being denied Employment and support allowance even though he is deemed unfit to work by his doctor and struggles with poverty having the narrative focus on the effects of poverty in England.
d) Explain how economic contexts shape mainstream films. Refer to Black Panther to support your points. [15]
The budgets for films can drastically effect there success when they are released for example the budget of the film can effect the amount of advertising the film gets and marketing campaigns like Black Panthers marketing being target towards the African American audiences by having a full African American cast also other forms of media linked with Black Panther like the soundtrack which features famous African American artists and also advertising the film during sports breaks which has a higher amount of African American audiences attracting their target demographic helping create more exposure for the film and earn more revenue in the box office.
The budget of the film typically effects the box office earnings for example the budget for Black panther was 200 million USD and earned 1.344 Billion USD earning over 1 Billion in the box office whereas a film with a much lower budget like I, Daniel Blake was around 2 Million and earned 15.8 Million at the box office also with higher budget films the more distributors will pay for the film as films with large budgets are usually made to create revenue for the companies involved. Also the film will continue to earn money through royalties as merchandise, soundtrack and streaming platforms will keep generating revenue for the creators and actors.
The film was released in2018 at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement and Black Panther was directed by Ryan Coogler who was the first black superhero director for the MCU with an all black cast which at the height of the racial tension with the Black Live Matter movement allowed the creators to profit from the movement and attracting the African American community being 37% in total viewership for the film.
The Merchandise made from the film whether that being clothes, toys or a real Black Panther mask lots of profit has come from the merchandise producing $60 million to $100 million in just one year and these came out as the film was premiering adding to the $1.344 billion earning over 6 times its budget of 200 million which is common for superhero films as they dominate the box office each year as Marvel's net worth is $10 billion and having their films dominate the box office usually being the top films.
