context Flashcards
how is guardians an example of a high concept american film?
- produced by a major studio (disney/marvel)
- high concept films are usually effects driven (CGI)
- usually favour simplistic storylines over characterisation
- usually have a high degree of narrative closure (i.e. storylines are tied up with few loose ends)
- designed to be successful in international film markets
evidence of guardians being a high concept american film
- big budget
- universal humour
- profitable opportunities with merchandise
- turning a bad person good
- suitable for international audiences due to simple storyline and lack of politics
- massive CGI
guardians budget and profit
budget: $170million
USA profit: $334million
INTERNATIONAL profit: $440million
info from box office mojo
GUARDIANS
different types of heroes:30s/40s
- products of the building tension and eventual american involvement in WW2
- due to threats, heroes needed to be extraordinarily powerful
e.g. captain america, captain marvel, superman, wonder woman
GUARDIANS
different types of heroes:60s
- america found itself in a cold war with russia
- arms race over technology (nuclear power)
- superheroes now effected by radiation
e.g. spiderman, the hulk, fantastic four
GUARDIANS
different types of heroes: late 60s/late 70s
- rise of civil rights era
- minority groups fought to gain political rights/common rights in society
e.g. xmen
GUARDIANS
different types of heroes: after 9/11
- after 9/11 new superheroes emerged
- now flawed and traumatised
- suffer setbacks/defeat
- could be lawless because they faced enemies who were beyond reason
e.g.nolans batman, wolverine,CA civil war
GUARDIANS
marvel flops
- despite success of avengers (2012), many marvel films flopped around 2010
e.g. xmen first class, fantastic four, thor: dark world
how guardians saved marvel
- came at time of ‘superhero fatigue’
- developments in CGI
- humour: brought life back into cinema
- empowering female characters: diversity
- new special effects: new worlds/creatures/set in space:new lands to experiment with
- escapism
- merging two genres: sci-fi and superhero
- soundtrack is a part of the movie - songs create nostalgia, big 80s numbers
PRIDE
production context
- produced by a collection of production companies: BBC films, british film institute, canal+ etc
- british films often have multiple investors to spread cost and risk
PRIDE
genre context
- from the ‘british realist’ tradition
- tend to be rooted in historical accuracy, often based on true stories
- tend to focus on characterisation, more dialogue heavy and do not rely on special effects
- films deal with complex issues and do not tend to have simplistic/upbeat endings
evidence of pride as a social realist genre
- uk locations
- english actors
- focus on storyline
- political activism that isnt universal
- based on british history
- lower budget
- bittersweet ending
- ealing comedy
PRIDE
budget and profit
small budget: $4.185million
took domestically: $1.44million
took internationally: $17.57million
- BOM
americanism in pride
- pride is also a comedy, and the ‘dramady’ hybrid genre is popular with US audiences
- could argue the film also comes from a long line of british ‘feelgood’ films (e.g. notting hill, four weddings and a funeral) that are made with american audiences in mind
- mark is played by an american actor: BEN SCHNETZER
PRIDE
how was 2013 a good year for gay rights?
- church of england allowed gay clergy to become bishops
- in july same sex marriages become legalised
political context of pride
- 2013 margaret thatcher died
- rise of right-wing politics grew with the rise of UK independence party (UKIP)
- nigel farage won leadership for the second time in 2010
- in 2013 UKIPS councillers in elections rose from 4 to 147
