Component 1: Section B - Industry - Straight Outta Compton Flashcards
What is the significance/appeal/importance of NWA?
Give at least three examples
At least three from:
- They tackle current affairs that are relevant to people.
- Inspirational to the black community.
- They stand up against injustice.
- They glorify a Gansta lifestyle.
- Their music was banned so this created a rebellion (outlaws)
What is significant about the film opening?
Give at least three examples
At least three from: Lighting (used to create mood). - Editing creates pace. - It has been highly choreographed and rehearsed. - Props (armored trucks) - Score and the soundtrack - Hybrid genres
What are some of the characteristics of Legendary Pictures that may influence why they were chosen to produce the film?
Give at least three examples
At least three from:
- Make films with a lot of focus on action.
- The have a large budget.
- They use gender in traditional ways as these sell.
- They have a big emphasis on branding – all the titles are specific and branded which creates a merchandise opportunity.
- The used highly mediated/saturated images.
What is appealing about the poster?
Give at least three examples
At least three from:
Use of the black and white create binary oppositions.
The men are standing firmly – could show that they are proud to stand up for black issues.
The men are in the street – shows that they know their surroundings and the ideas are close by.
Logo style title – with serif fonts – shows the seriousness of the issues that the film wishes to cover.
Way they are walking out of the poster is an action code and like they are coming to get you – its almost intimidating.
Nostalgic feel – black and white – looking back on their life.
What are some of the ADVANTAGES of having Dr. Dre and Ice Cube as producers of the film?
Give at least three examples.
At least three from:
- Authenticity – keeping it real.
- Fan base
- They have the money needed.
- The film will be personal and relatable.
Who produced the film?
Dr Dre and Ice Cube
What are some of the DISADVANTAGES of having Dr. Dre and Ice Cube as the producers of the film?
- Only portrays their side of the story – subjective.
- They would have money/financial incentives (promotion)
What is the ownership structure of the film?
- Produced by Legendary Pictures who entered into a partnership with Universal (owned by Comcast) who distribute the film.
- Produced and distributed by a major media conglomerate is significant – in terms of funding, cross-promotion and reaching a global audience.
What did Universal do to distribute Straight Outta Compton?
Acquired the rights to the film.
Decided the number of prints to be made and released to distributors.
Negotiates a release date for prints.
Arranges a delivery of prints to the cinemas
Provides trailers and publicity material for exhibitors.
Puts together a package of advertising and publicity to promote the film.
Negotiate related promotional and/or merchandising materials.
ALL DISTRIBUTORS DO THE ABOVE
What are some of the differences between the green and red band trailers?
Give at least three examples
At least three from:
- The red band trailer has more explicit content.
- The green band trailer hide/avoid some of the harsher messages or ideas
- The green trailer sells the film to be family orientated.
- The red band trailer shows the film to be more about social problems and the treatment of black people.
- The red band trailer opens with an interview with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube which opens to the existing fan base.
- The green band trailer has a bigger variety of genres and this conveys lightheartedness.
- The green band trailer is appealing to mainstream audiences.
- The red band trailer is more controversial with more swearing, nudity and the use of drugs.
- The red band trailer brings in the context of the attack of Rodney King.
HESMONDALGH: How are fans of NWA being targeted by the marketing of the trailer?
Give at least two examples
At least two from:
- Audiences can learn the history of a band that they like.
- Through the wide range of music that is included.
- The trailer shows the making behind the songs – allows people who are interested in this to be part of the audience.
HESMONDALGH: How are fans of rap being targeted by the marketing of the trailer?
Give at least two examples
At least two from:
- The urban living conditions
- Clothes – baggy, conventional of rappers.
HESMONDALGH: How are fans of biopics being targeted by the marketing of the trailer?
- The trailers follow a narrative.
- The trailers give the audiences the highs and lows of the process.
HESMONDALGH: How are fans of a particular studio being targeted by the marketing of the trailer?
Give at least two examples
At least two examples from:
- The trailers lack full frontal violence which is specific to Legendary Pictures.
- Individual films build up a ‘logo’ style brand for merchandising.
- Simple ideas are conveyed for a mainstream audience e.g. the police are bad and NWA are good.
HESMONDALGH: How are under-represented groups being targeted by the marketing of the trailer?
- These people would have seen the trailer and used NWA for a role model as to how underrepresented people can grow.
- The trailer creates a sense of community.
