Component 1: Section B - Industry - I Daniel Blake Flashcards
What is the film about?
Give at least two examples
At least two examples from:
- A pensioner named Daniel Blake has a heart problem, and is unable to work due to his condition.
- He wants to receive benefits to help him because he can’t work.
- However, he is refused benefits and told to go to the job centre and find a job.
- The job centre do not help him, and neither does he receive benefits.
- He is facing a struggle to receive money to survive.
- He is refused benefits or help from the job centre and passes away before he gets any help.
What evidence is there of independent film making from the opening of the film?
Give at least three examples with explanations/reasoning.
At least two examples from:
1) Funded by the lottery:
- Lottery money helps to make this film.
- Shows the filmmaker does not have lots of money from larger companies such as Universal.
2) Funded by the BBC:
- Shows the film is national and not particularly relevant to other countries.
- Funded by the public through TV licenses.
- This also shows that the film is approved of by this large public service broadcaster.
3) Funded by Wild Bunch:
- Loach’s personal company have put money to allow a film to be produced about social realist issues.
4) The film is funded also by a lot of French companies:
- This would give the film a bigger reach to international French audiences.
4) The audience are being forced to listen:
- No large picture or music.
- Shows that the narrative information is more important than the actors and large images.
5) Mise-en Scene is run down and realistic settings which are recognizable to the audiences.
How is the poster an important marketing strategy?
Give at least two examples
At least two examples from:
- The film is highly well received, reviews cover the whole poster.
- Reviewed by people from different demographics – different people clearly like the film.
- Powerful stance – showing resistance and power.
- Graffiti – shows rebellion
What evidence is there to show that the BFI can meet the remit of the film?
1) Filmed on location in Newcastle in what looks to be quite a run down area with council houses:
- shows that the film wants to show socialist ideas and about how people struggle, which supports the idea that the BFI want to be part of content that impacts on society.
- Impact of redundancy on a person and society.
Uses Daniel Blake as a way to show the physicality of social struggle.
What are the distinct features of BBC films?
Give at least two examples
At least two examples from:
- Big focus on British actors
- BBC have a big range of films
- Vary the genres of films they show
- They give money to high-budgeted films
- Films reflect a variety of different lifestyles
- Based on real life events
What are the conventions of independent films?
Give at least two examples
At least two examples from:
- Focus on narrative rather than actors.
- Aesthetically different (e.g. black and white/ hand held camera.
- Clear evidence of a low budget
- Low paid actors
- Limited release – reliant on initial screening and film festivals
Give at least two examples of advantages of independent film making.
At least two examples from:
- Able to make films about controversial topics.
- Loach has a presold audience and producers because he has previously made other political films so will already have people who are willing to watch films directed by him.
- The fact that controversial issues are covered, may increase controversy and publicize the film via the media.
Give at least two disadvantages of independent film making.
At least two examples from:
- Low budget – not able to spend lots of money on making the film known and having well known actors. - - Could be difficult to find people to back the idea of the film plot.
- Lack of well known actors may limit the audience members who come and watch the film.
Give at least three examples of the distribution strategies used for films.
At least three examples from:
- Character specific social media accounts
- Traditional marketing i.e. posters
- Teaser trailers
- BBC news
- Synergies – fast food brands working with film producers – for example, a company producing a MacDonald’s Happy Meal toy for a specific film which makes people more likely to want to watch the film.
- Global trailers
- Reviews/adverts in newspapers
What is social realism?
Real events that happen in society being shown on film.
It reveals other people’s life perspectives and struggles.
What is seen in a social realist film?
- Filmed on location.
- Diegetic sound.
Why is Ken Loach an ideal director for this type of film?
Known nationally – supports the idea that the film is about national problems or struggles.
He wants people to change things and have a conversation.
Loach would support labour – positive in allowing him to have a good stance and idea of how to portray socialist ideas.
Why so many production companies?
- Allows for a wider, global reach
- French companies value Ken Loach
- If lots of companies put a small amount in, there is low risk.
Why is I, Daniel Blake a 15 certificate?
- Implied prostitution
- Swearing
- Controversial (adult issues)
Why would Loach be happy with a 15 certificate?
- This certificate still allows the swearing which allows for the seriousness of social issues to be shown.
- 15 certificates have a wider audience than 18 certificates – better for the success of the film as it already has a low budget.
- People of this age group may want to make a change to the topics that the film raises.
