+*-TEXT: Straight Outta Compton-*+

+*-TEXT: Straight outta Compton-*+:

What are the main differences between a mainstream and an independent film?

Mainstream - Makes you laugh; makes you cry; is associated with commercial success; film as escapist entertainment. 

Independent - Makes you think; makes you ask questions; is associated with critical success; film more as art and cultural expression.

Summarise the companies and brands responsible for the funding, production and marketing of the film and any links to media industries that would help maximise income and audience. How were the members of NWA (Ice Cube, Easy E, Dr Dre) involved in production or marketing?

Straight Outta Compton was produced by Legendary Pictures who entered into a partnership with Universal Pictures (the film’s distributor) in 2014. Universal is owned by NBC Universal, a Comcast company. The fact that 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. (Ice Cube and Dr Dre) were co-producers.

Research the real events portrayed in the film. Were there any events not portrayed or altered to appeal to a mainstream audience or make the stars or producers more sympathetic to their audience? 

The film portrays events set predominantly in mid-1980’s California, USA. The depiction of this period in a contemporary film may have been impacted by the social upheaval caused by racial tension and the LA Riots in 1992 (the portrayal of 1980’s California, and the possible glorification of N.W.A. as agents of social change, may have been revised or influenced by subsequent events).Dr Dre was physically violent multiple times.They left out Arabian Prince - Co-founder of N.W.A.There were lawsuits made against most individuals involved.The police altercations were a two-way street - e.g. Dr. Dre assaulted a police officer.

Analyse how the film marketing trailer has targeted its target audience:  analyse the technical codes of the trailer ( use of camera e.g closeups of a star, editing, mise-en-scene, lighting and colour, sound and dialogue) and the use of reviews and expert criticism, promise of pleasure, stars and other techniques.

Familiar conventions used including duration, green band disclaimer/rating card, use of production logos/idents (possibly establishing status/reputation of film), use of intertitles, use of music, condensing the film to showcase dramatic scenes and establish narrative expectation including a three-act structure, links to social media/website. Also absence of conventions (no traditional trailer voice over, no specific release date).

Identification with protagonists in the trailer - audiences encouraged to align with hip hop artists as underdogs/disenfranchised minority, for example, the two specific instances where members of the gang are forcefully restrained by police.

Star appeal - (including, in this case, the appeal of the “real-life” characters portrayed on screen and identified using intertitles). The names of actors or directors are absent from the trailer and instead replaced with the real names of some of the members of N.W.A. 

Film logo - explicit design reference to music parental advisory notice (social conventions of rebellion, challenge to authority etc.).

Analyse the viral Straight Outta Somewhere marketing campaign that was used to help publicise the film.   How did this campaign target audiences and what techniques did it use to raise awareness of and interest in the film?

"Without Compton, there would be no Dre. Without Dre there would be no beats." - Targets fans of beats and Dre encourages them to watch the film - creates a revelation to the audience. 

Includes scenes from the film - peaks the audience's interest - engages the audience.

"Celebrated every city in the world" - personalises the campaign - makes the audience feel acknowledged and engaged.

#StraightOutOfSomewhere - Used by the audience to "rep their city" - makes the campaign wider know.

Customisable memes - Audience is actively engaged in the campaign - promotes the audience and publicises the film. 

Celebrities joined in without endorsement money - e.g. Ringo Starr - Beatles' "Straight Outta Liverpool."

Summarise the commercial reception of the film: how financially successful was it? Were there any other media products linked to the film that would have also made money for the producers?

The film was a major commercial success, making over $200 million – it had a $50 million total budget ($28 million production budget).

'Beats Straight Outta' - Beats helped to promote Straight Outta Compton - earns more money for the producers - Became the biggest social campaign of 2015. - Within 24 hours became 1# trending on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Give reasons why you feel the film was successful (genre, producers, theme, audience, synergy with other media products/industries).

Audience - Fans of N.W.A (older fans who lived through the period, younger fans from cultural significance; fans of the music genre (draws in the audience); fans of biopic films (style of the film draws in an audience); fans of the producers or stars (familiarity breeds success.)Synergy with Beats by Dre - Individuals familiar with Dr Dre's products and brand may be drawn into watching the film, leading to success.

What rating did the film receive from the BBFC?

The BBFC (an independent, non-governmental body) age rates film and video releases in the UK. However, local councils have the power to overrule BBFC decisions and rate films differently (e.g. This is England was rated 18 by the BBFC but several councils rated it 15). The theatrical release of Straight Outta Compton gained a 15 certificate.

Did the Directors Cut receive a different rating? If so, why?

The Director’s Cut DVD was an 18. That version contains an additional 26 minutes of footage, including two stronger sex scenes. The second sex scene combines drug-taking with sexual activity, with two women smoking marijuana while having sex with a man. The Compliance Officer who watched it for classification noted that, under the BBFC Classification Guidelines, a combination of sexualised nudity and drug use required an 18 rating.

Are there any politically sensitive or controversial themes or content in the film?

N.W.A. was significant in terms of social change as advocates for free speech, producers of protest songs.racial tension and the LA Riots in 1992.“F*** the Police” song. The views of society about AIDS.Racism.The role and treatment of women.