Black Panther

November 19, 2021

Black Panther

Context:

Black Panther was produced by Marvel Studios. It was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Marvel Studios was acquired by Walt Disney in 2009 for $4 billion.
It is essential to note the film was produced and distributed by a major, vertically integrated film studio that is part of a media conglomerate is significant in terms of funding, possibilities for cross-promotion and reaching a global audience.

Black panther fact file:

- In June 1992, Wesley Snipes announced his intention to make a film about black panther and began to work on it by August. He felt as if Africa was portrayed poorly in the media

- Its world premier was at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on January 29, 2018. Other guests wore African clothing in honour of the African setting of the film.

- In the United States the film opened in 4.020 theatres

- Black Panther grossed $700.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $646.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $1.347 billion. It became the highest-grossing solo superhero film.

- Deadline Hollywood estimated the net profit of the film to be $476.8 million

- The black panther was played by Chadwick Boseman

- Its budget was $200 million

Horizontal Integration - Where companies buy other companies in the same sector to eliminate competition for audiences

Example: Disney bought Marvel

Vertical Integration - Where a company buys other companies who are involved with different stages of production and circulation

Conglomeration - A conglomerate is a corporation that consists of a group of businesses dealing in different products or services.

POWER AND MEDIA INDUSTRIES

The media is controlled by a small number of companies primarily driven by the profit and power

Media concentration limits variety, creativity and quality

More socially diverse patterns of ownership can create more varied and adventurous media productions. 

MAINSTREAM VS INDIE

Qualities of mainstream films
Qualities of indie films 
Vast, worldwide audience
A range of well known actors creating star appeal
Huge financial backing
Extremely advanced special effects
Mainstream, appealing music
Clear, understandable narrative
High production values
Huge, ensemble casts
Recognisable branding, Marvel 
Niche/cult audience
Complete unknowns
Indie film festivals
No special effects
No licenced music
Complicated narratives
Low production values
Few actors
No branding