Media Theory - Cultural Industries By David Hesmondhalgh Flashcards
Who made the Theory of Cultural Industries?
David Hesmondhalgh
Explain the Theory of cultural industries by David Hesmondhalgh.
The idea that cultural industry companies try to minimize risk and maximize audiences through vertical and horizontal integration.
What is seen as vitally important to the film industry?
The concept of profits ( commercial success ) . In this case specifically to the film franchises such as those created by Marvel Studios
Often films within a series can become formulaic and lack risk, but Marvel has so avoided this superhero fatigue by what?
By diversifying the characters, often through the generic hybridization of their products
Evaluate how Marvel have demonstrated variation in their films, so that they are able to maximize profit
Avengers infinity war defied a formula by ending with the villain winning and murdering half of all living beings.
Captain America civil war explored the unconventional by analyzing the gray areas of collateral damage and government intervention of superpowers ( hybirdization )
Spider-Man rebranded as a teen rom/com.
Captain America weaved conventions of conspiracy thrillers into its narratives.
Thor became another dimensional comedy/fantasy.
Guardians of the galaxy based its superheroes against a backdrop of sci-fi space and opera/’80s music.
No film is just another superhero film
How has black panther operated over a range of different cultural industries?
Exploring Hesmondhalgh’s idea that media conglomerates operate across a range of cultural industries, it can be considered that the way black panther was released as part of a synergy is seen as important. The utilised fashion, music, video games, sports tie-ins, and even a car, to broaden its potential appeal.
Does black panther as a product have a very low risk or a high risk for the producers?
Very low risk
When was T’Challa and Wakanda first introduced?
In Captain America civil war first as a supporting character, the comic is over 50 years old and all previous Marvel films have been hugely successful.
How can it be argued that black panther did carry a certain level of risk?
On the other hand, having such an Afracentric film could have been seen as a commercial risk, especially outside the USA and Africa, as it was the first mainstream superhero film to do this.
