Black Panther

Question 1

Product context of Black Panther

Answer 1

• The film shows a fictional kingdom in Africa called Wakanda.
• The film was produced by Marvel Studios which are part of the Walt Disney conglomerate
• The movie was very successful and broke the highest movie opening in the USA and also grossed 1 billion worldwide.
• One of the only superhero movies to be nominated for a Best picture award too.

Question 2

Media industries of Black Panther- The cultural context

Answer 2

• Superhero genre mainly contained a white male protangonist and we only seem some anamolies of african american actors.
• Non-white characters which are often sidekicks e.g. the Falcon
• Black cinema oftenly included social realism and issues rather than blockbuster movies

-Western news represents Africa as under-priveliged and often referred as the ‘dark contient’- Gilroy

• However, Black Panther includes afrofuturism which is the positive representations of Africa

Question 3

Media industries of Black Panther- The historical context

Answer 3

• 15th-20th century, Europe colonised African countries and exploited them.

-During the 20th century African Amattempted to gain new black cultural identities with movements such as the Harlem renaissance

• Black Panther was a political activist group formed to provide armed monitoring of police brutality.

Question 4

Media industries- Black Panther- What are the economic and political contexts of Black Panther

Answer 4

• Barrack Obama the first african-american president created many initiatives to help minority and womens groups.
• Donald Trump vowed to reverse these winning supports from right wing supporters which has insulted many countries
• BLM utilised social media to raise issues which aren’t made aware of in mainstream media

Question 5

Discuss the ownership of Black Panther

Answer 5

• Produced by Marvel but distributed by Disney- Vertical intergration
• Black Panther was fully owned by Marvel
• In early 2000s Marvel began film production
• When Disney bought Marvel they agreed to minimal influence on Marvel products.
• In 2013, Marvel signed a contract with Netflix but caused conflict with Disney and so was removed

Question 6

Black Panther- Discuss how it was marketed

Answer 6

• The concept was to make the film a cultural event making it different from any other superhero movie.
• Hasbro toys
• Lexus cars
• Kendrick Lamar Album
• Teaser trailers shown amongst NBA games
• Crowdfunding projects to allow underprivliged kids to see the movie
• Marketed to a diverse audience
• Was released during black history month

Question 7

What was the regulation of Black Panther

Answer 7

• BBFC regulates film in the U.K but councils get overrule decisions.
• Was rated 12a
• Only includes fantasy violence

Question 8

How is Black Panther digitally convergent

Answer 8

• Teaser trailer released in June 2017 by ABC during the NBA finals.
• Just before the film release Black Panther was the most tweeted film in 2018
• In Mid-March it was the most tweeted film ever.

Question 9

How can Hesmondhalgh be applied in relation to Black Panther

Answer 9

• Maximise profits and minimise risk as Marvel has a huge fanbase
• Subverts risk by having a full African American cast
• However could be maximisng profit due to the current social issues in the world- Released the same as Black History Month
• Film was released as a synergy in relation to music and cars

Question 10

How can Curren and Seaton be applied to Black Panther

Answer 10

• Diverse pattern of ownership leads to results in creative products - An African cast
• Subverts other tradtional blockbuster movies as this will be aiming for education rather than profit
• Conforms to the theory as it gains profit due to conglomerate ownership