Black Panther Industry

Question 1

What could come up on an Industry question?

Answer 1

Marketing, Ensuring success, Managing risk.

Question 2

Who distributed Black Panther (2018)?

Answer 2

Disney

Question 3

When was Black Panther released?

Answer 3

Feburary 12 2018

Question 4

Who produced Black Panther (2018)?

Answer 4

Marvel

Question 5

Who are the key theorists for a Black Panther Industry question?

Answer 5

David Hesmondhalgh (Cultural Formatting + Cultural Industries), Curran + Seaton (Conglomerates)

Question 6

What is Hesmondhalgh’s theory of Cultural Formatting and Cultural Industries?

Answer 6

Hesmondhalgh’s theory of Cultural Formatting is the way a media product can be successful if it includes these 4 things. Star Power, International Remakes, Popular Genre, Serial Format. By doing this, companies minimize risk and maximise audience which in turn equals profit. Operating through a range of Cultural Industries is where a company advertises their product through a range of ways to reach a bigger audience.

Question 7

What is Curran and Seaton’s theory of Conglomerates?

Answer 7

They say conglomerates strive for profit and power which in turns leads to a lack of originality.

Question 8

Who is a conglomerate?

Answer 8

Disney

Question 9

What are the benefits of conglomerates?

Answer 9

Seal of approval, Lack of competition, High production value, Can’t fail.

Question 10

What are the drawbacks of conglomerates?

Answer 10

They lead to a lack of originality, Smaller companies cannot compete.

Question 11

How does Black Panther link with Hesmondhalgh’s Cultural Formatting Theory?

Answer 11

It abides to all 4 things said. Star Power - Kendrick Lamar + Michael B Jordan. International Remake - Posters in China. Serial Format - 17th film in the MCU. Popular Genre - Superhero (Most popular genre).

Question 12

What is the main target audience for Black Panther?

Answer 12

Marvel fans, 12A audience, mainstream, Black Panther fans.

Question 13

What is the auxillery audience for Black Panther?

Answer 13

Lexus cars fans, NYC Fashion Week fans, Kendrick Lamar fans.

Question 14

What was the concept for Black Panther?

Answer 14

Disney wanted to create a ‘360 degree consumer experience’ (Everywhere you look, you would see Black Panther). The film was aimed to be a ‘cultural event’ across a variety of media platforms.

Question 15

Who did Disney have synergy with?

Answer 15

Lexus cars, Hasbro toys, NYC Fashion Week, NBA.

Question 16

Why did Disney and Marvel make the film for a 12A audience?

Answer 16

A 12A rating given by the BBFC means that a wider audience will be able to watch the movie in cinemas and will make more money. The film follows a strict moral code by showcasing no sex or nudity and justified violence.

Question 17

Hesmondhalgh states “The biggest media companies now operate through a range of cultural industries”. How true is this?

Answer 17

Black Panther operates through..
- Film Industry - Black Panther film
- Merch -Action figures from Hasbro
- Video Game - Synchrony Bank
- Automotive - Lexus Cars synergy
- Music Industry - Kendrick Lamar soundtrack
- Fashion - NYC Fashion week

Question 18

Give 2 examples of how the film industry is regulated.

Answer 18

• BBFC (British Board Film Classification) gave Black Panther a 12A rating.
• MPAA (Motion Picture Association America) gave Black panther a PG13.
• Green band trailer
• Red band trailer

Question 19

How do large film companies manage risk? Refer to Black Panther.

Answer 19

• Conform to Hesmondhalgh’s Cultural Formatting theory.
• Horizontal + Vertical integration as it reduces costs
• Have a high production value, unoriginality, and a high distribution budget. All of this is possible because Disney is a conglomerate.

Question 20

How was Black Panther successful critically?

Answer 20

• (Critical Success) Won best soundtrack, costume and production design at the Oscars and was nominated for best picture.

Question 21

How was the film successful financially?

Answer 21

• (Financial Success) Box office grossed $1.3 billion. Cost $350 million in production and distribution.

Question 22

How was the film successful culturally?

Answer 22

• Most tweeted about Film ever at the time of release
• #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe

Question 23

How was the film marketed and who are the who are the target audiences?

Answer 23

• They used a “360 degree consumer experience” (meaning black panther was everywhere) to target a mass audience.
• Individual character posters which targets the actor’s pre-sold audiences.
• Synergy with Kendrick Lamar on the soundtrack targets his fans.
Synergy with NY fashion week targets a female audience.