WILF:

A01: Demonstrate knowledge and understandingA02: Apply knowledge and understanding

WALT: UNDERSTAND THE FEATURES OF BLOCKBUSTERS

AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film as an audio-visual form of creative expression, together with its contexts of production and reception and of the diversity in filmmaking across different historical periods and locations.

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding, including some of the common critical approaches that characterise the subject, when exploring and analysing films and when evaluating their own film creative projects, to show how meanings and responses are generated.

SIMPLE STORY LINES• Global audiences – no culturally specific details and

meaning• Good Vs Evil• Global destruction is averted• Universal hopes and fears

CHARACTERS ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND• No complex psychological states • Young viewers need simplistic

characterisations• Motivation to ‘save the world’ or the person

they love• Some films adopt an ideological position that

is centred on America

MARKETED ON THEIR ‘LOOK’• Special effects• Pyrotechnics and computer-generated imagery

(cgi)• Do not use experimental or unexpected

elements (some however do strive for this, Matrix)

• Blockbusters are spectaculars• Visual display often as important as dialogue

(Pearl Harbour)• Action set pieces are fundamental to their

appeal

BLOCKBUSTERS BECOME A BRAND• Enormous initial financial outlay requires costs to

be recouped through more than Box Office sales• DVD sales are essential part of securing financial

return – some films earlier release Alice in Wonderland 12 week

• Selling of TV rights is important within continuing return of profit

• Merchandising will often bring the greatest rewards, sale of toys, games, clothes, books etc

Choose a film that you consider to be a blockbuster.

Use the four key characteristics of the blockbuster, outlined today, to research information for your own blockbuster case study.

You will research and write a 500-1000 word essay about your chosen Blockbuster. You must analyse it’s appeal, how it is a Blockbuster, it’s budget and sales.

Due in: Tuesday 1st November (YOU WILL HAVE TO EMAIL/FIND ME WITH THE ESSAY)