I, Daniel Blake Flashcards
Who directed IDB?
Ken Loach
What is the significance of Ken Loach directing the film?
He is a social campaigner, known for his socialist political views.
Much of Ken Loach’s work has addressed similar issues (Cathy Come Home, Raining Stones).
The only specific “star” identified in the trailer using intertitles is the director Ken Loach.
This encouraged a pre-sold audience.
Who did IDB receive funding from?
The BFI (through the national lottery) and BBC films.
The BFI gave £300,00 in funding.
What social issues does IDB address?
Contemporary British social issues such as poverty, the welfare system and the Work Capability Assessment.
What is an independent film?
Produced by smaller production companies.
They do not follow the same formula as studio films. Instead, they vary in style and genre.
Independent films are often designed to make you think about certain subjects or issues, and feature challenging storylines that are more realistic and less escapist than in studio films.
What does the BBC’s license fee mean for the film?
It meant that they could afford to take risks in producing an independent film.
What parts of IDB show how it is socially realistic and independent?
It was filmed largely on location (hospital, job center etc.), features lesser known actors and does not rely on special effects.
What is above the line marketing?
Where mass media is used to promote brands and reach out to the target consumers.
This includes conventional media as we know it which is targeted at a widespread audience rather than individual consumers.
What is below the line marketing?
A promotion technique that uses targeted campaigns designed to generate consumer interest and awareness about a product or service.
What is Guerilla marketing?
An advertising strategy that uses unconventional tactics to delight and attract customers.
This involves high energy and imagination focusing on grasping the attention of the public on a more personal and memorable level.
How did the Trinity Mirror group partner with the film and what did this mean?
This spread messages to their target audience.
Gave away 10,000 free tickets to the regional screenings.
Prominent appeals from the film’s protagonist used on the mastheads and the front covers of their newspaper titles.
Banner advertising.
An editorial ‘written by’ Daniel within an October 2016 issue of the Mirror.
Articles promoting the film, which were retweeted by Ken Loach.
What did the Just Giving page raise money for?
It raised £176 to send a Tory cabinet to a screening of ‘I Daniel Blake’ - the movie became politically involved.
What award did the film win?
Won the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
This is signified in the trailer and the film poster.
Where is the film set and what specific locations are within this?
Newcastle
Job centres, hospitals and streets - this shows how the film was filmed on location rather than set.
What is the significance of the BBC funding the film?
The film is a PSB meaning it is funded by a service fee and can afford to be more niche.
They are not solely focused on profit.
What was the ‘We are all Daniel Blake’ movement and what was the significance of this?
Videos on Youtube posted by eOne that included ordinary people reversing the stereotypes made about them.
Also, includes intercut sections of Jeremy Corbyn (leader of the labour party at the time).
This made the film into a political event and allowed people to personally identify.
What was the films partnership with NomadiX projectors and what example of marketing is this?
Quotes from the film onto buildings in London, including the House of parliament.
This is an example of guerilla marketing as the public’s attention was grasped in a memorable way.
What does Hayley Squires mention in her interview with This Morning?
She mentions how the film worked with Shelter, a UK homeless charity, for the food bank scene.
Hayley did not eat for four days in order to improvise her character and be involved realistically.
How can the film link to Curran and Seaton’s media theory?
Curran and Seaton imply that diverse, independent patterns of media ownership lead to more creativity and choice.
This is seen in the production company of Sixteen films which does not conform to the formula of mainstream films.
How does the film both accept and reject Hesmondhalgh’s theory about ‘maximising profit and minimizing risk’?
Hesmondhalgh argues that detailing your marketing campaign is part of maximising profit and minimizing risk.
This is seen in the use of guerilla marketing and the partnership with Trinity Mirror.
However, the funding from the BBC could arguably show how they are not concerned with profit, instead they aim to create something socially relatable to conform to the BBC’s public purpose.
What is a platform release?
When a film is released small scale first, then as it gains popularity it will be released to wider audiences.
I, Daniel Blake was only released in 94 cinemas on its opening weekend.
What category would the audience of IDB fit into according to Young and Rubicam’s theory?
Reformers (social issues may challenge and stimulate a reformer audience).
