Media: I, Daniel Blake Blog Tasks

Media: I, Daniel Blake - Blog Tasks

1) What is independent cinema and how is it different to Hollywood blockbusters?
Hollywood blockbusters tend to have a lot more budget for the films compared to Independent Cinema and have higher quality production companies and filmmakers. 
2) What is I, Daniel Blake about?
It's about a 59 year old, Daniel Blake, who has a heart attack which leaves him unable to work and the British authorities want him to return to his job.
3) Who directed I, Daniel Blake and why is this important?
Ken Loach

He is important as he doesn't care about the profit, only the message that he sends out. He's been directing for 50 years and would rather educate people than "make profit for a big corporation"
4) How was I, Daniel Blake promoted to an audience? List at least three different methods used by the film's marketing campaign and how they targeted their audience.
1. Marketing on the streets in a way that garners attention

2. The digital spray originating from the logo used for messages that were being shared on Twitter
3. Newspapers as older audiences tend to use newspapers more than the younger demographic
5) What unusual or creative marketing methods were used to get audiences talking about the film?
Creative marketing like projecting a message and promoting I, Daniel Blake onto the Houses of Parliament, this can be referred to as Guerrilla Marketing
6) What was the estimated production budget for I, Daniel Blake and how much did it make at the box office?

The estimated production budget for I, Daniel Blake was £2 million and it grossed £11 million at the box office.

7) How can independent films like I, Daniel Blake compete with Hollywood blockbusters like Black Widow?

By delivering polished and entertaining films whilst working with a lower budget. Hollywood blockbusters tend to have tons of attention and have extremely high expectations, they also have to compete with some of Hollywood's best blockbusters because the audience will always compare it to movies that are similar and achieved great success. Movies like I, Daniel Blake can be a success if they do amazing marketing and target the correct audience.

8) What is the name of the film regulator in the UK and what was the age rating for I, Daniel Blake?
The Film Regulator in the UK is the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the age rating for I, Daniel Blake was 15+
9) What aspects of the film contributed to the film's age rating?
It was due to bad language from characters and somewhat intense scenes for younger audiences.
10) Finally, considering everything you have learned about I, Daniel Blake, do you think the film was a success? Explain your answer in a well developed paragraph.

I believe that I, Daniel Blake was a success at the box office as it worked with a £2 million budget and grossed £11 million which is drastic for Independent Cinema. The marketing on the movie was flawless as they did a great job like projecting a quote from the movie on The Houses of Parliament, this can be called Guerrilla Marketing. Furthermore it had won The Festival De Cannes, it was also Ken Loach's most successful release in the UK. I believe it set a higher standard for the independent filmmaking industry.

Extension

E1) Read this Media Magazine article on the disruptive marketing campaign used to publicise I, Daniel Blake. Media Magazine is an excellent publication aimed at A Level Media students and it's a great resource for GCSE students aiming for the top grades.

E2) I, Daniel Blake is an A Level Media text for another exam board. Watch Media teacher Mrs Fisher's YouTube lesson on I, Daniel Blake and make notes on the key points she makes.

E3) Read this Hollywood Reporter interview with executive Alex Hamilton on film marketing - including the I, Daniel Blake grassroots marketing campaign. Why was it successful?