I, Daniel Blake: blog tasks

 

1) What is independent cinema and how is it different to Hollywood blockbusters?

 The style of ‘indie’ films is very different to Hollywood blockbusters, as the directors and producers have more creative input – it’s being made in their vision, not in the vision of studio bosses.

Independent films have much smaller budgets, and are often supported financially by public service broadcasters, film institutions and charity funding. They are also distributed by smaller companies.

2) What is I, Daniel Blake about?

'I Daniel Blake' is about a man who works a joiner and is pleading for help following a concerning illness someone he cares about is suffering from.

3) Who directed I, Daniel Blake and why is this important?

I, Daniel Blake was released in 2016 and was directed by Ken Loach and this film is specifically important as it  was rated by the BBFC as a 15.

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.

• Film was premiered not in London, but Newcastle (where the film is set) to gain local support. 
• The then Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn attended the London premiere and people that had been denied benefit payments were asked to placard the event.
• ‘I, Daniel Blake’ was projected onto the Houses of Parliament ('guerrilla marketing') and in various cities

5) What unusual or creative marketing methods were used to get audiences talking about the film?

 Organise free (or 'pay what you can') screenings and talks in community centres across the UK 

6) What was the estimated production budget for I, Daniel Blake and how much did it make at the box office?

 £2 Million

7) What were some of the companies involved in funding or producing I, Daniel Blake? 

• British Film Institute (BFI) (BFI, support)
• BBC Film. (support)

8) What is the name of the film regulator in the UK and what was the age rating for I, Daniel Blake?

 15A

9) What aspects of the film contributed to the film's age rating?

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. Try and compare it to Black Widow if you can.