Black Panther Historical and Cultural Context

 Historical Context 

From the 15th-20th century, European powers colonised African countries and exploited the continent for its resources and people. During the early 20th century African Americans attempted to establish a new black cultural identity with movements such as the Harlem Renaissance. The Black Panther Party (October 1966-1982) was a political activist group established initially to provide armed monitoring of police behaviour in the US.

Cultural Context

The Sci-Fi and Superhero genres have traditionally been dominated by white, male characters. In the 1990s, Will Smith and Wesley Snipes did break ground playing black characters. Although, superhero films rarely feature African American actors in lead roles. Black cinema has traditionally consisted of issues-based social realism (e.g Spike Lee's films). Blade (1998) is one of the few superhero films to have a black main character. US/European news media tends to portray Africa as under privileged, developing continent focusing on civil wars, famine and wars.  

Afro Futurism and Black Futurism

Afro futurism is a literary and musical movement that explores black literary and musical movement that explores black identity, culture and struggles. Black Panther is directly related to this movement as it reveals a black leaders role in a world largely controlled by white dominated power structures.

Economic and Political Context

Barack Obama (2009-2017), America's first African American president created initiatives that supported minority groups. Worrying statistics about the amount of unarmed people of colour shot by US police lead to the #blacklivesmatter. 

Paper 1 Section B Film Marketing Black Panther

 What made it successful?

Black Panther is the 17th film in the "Marvel Cinematic Universe" the highest grossing franchise in history. The film officially introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the fictional African nation of Wakanda which is also a secret technological and advanced civilisation . It added depth to the superhero that is Black Panther as he fights for his people and country. Another reason why the film was global triumph is because the Sci-Fi genre has been dominated by white male protagonists for decades. When ethnic minorities are portrayed in superhero movies they are often the sidekick and not the main character. This relates to Steve Neale's Genre theory as the audience are familiar with this particular type of structure in the film industry and that is what they enjoy watching. However, Black Panther does not conform to this stereotypical set up with the film having a black antagonist and main character which would intrigue people of all backgrounds who have not witnessed this before. This is exactly what happened as up to 48% of the films grossing came from an international audience.

Product Context

Black Panther is the 17th film in the "Marvel Cinematic Universe," the highest grossing film in the franchise history. It was directed by Ryan Coogler (Creed) and was released February 2018. The film introduces the audience to the fictional African Kingdom of Wakanda which has avoided European colonization and achieved a technological superiority through the use of a mineral called vibranium. It was produced by Marvel Studios a famous comic book brand that is also a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.

Historical Context 

From the 15th-20th century, European powers colonised African countries and exploited the continent for its resources and people. During the early 20th century African Americans attempted to establish a new black cultural identity with movements such as the Harlem Renaissance. The Black Panther Party (October 1966-1982) was a political activist group established initially to provide armed monitoring of police behaviour in the US.

Cultural Context

The Sci-Fi and Superhero genres have traditionally been dominated by white, male characters. In the 1990s, Will Smith and Wesley Snipes did break ground playing black characters. Although, superhero films rarely feature African American actors in lead roles. Black cinema has traditionally consisted of issues-based social realism (e.g Spike Lee's films). Blade (1998) is one of the few superhero films to have a black main character. US/European news media tends to portray Africa as under privileged, developing continent focusing on civil wars, famine and wars.  

Afro Futurism and Black Futurism

Afro futurism is a literary and musical movement that explores black literary and musical movement that explores black identity, culture and struggles. Black Panther is directly related to this movement as it reveals a black leaders role in a world largely controlled by white dominated power structures.

Economic and Political Context

Barack Obama (2009-2017), America's first African American president created initiatives that supported minority groups. Worrying statistics about the amount of unarmed people of colour shot by US police lead to the #blacklivesmatter. 

EXAM QUESTION: LNWH

Explain how the radio industry targets audiences. Refer to Late Night Women's Hour to support your points

The radio industry targets its audience in different ways depending on what the key themes of the discussions that take place on the radio. Each radio has a targeted demographic based on the topics they discuss. For example in 1967, BBC Radio 1 launched and its target audience was the younger generation due to its heavy rotation of pop music. Similarly, Late Night Women's Hour's targeted audience is women. 

, Late Night Womens Hour started in the 1940s but the conversations were based around the war and however from the 1960s until now the conversations have shifted to reflect the changing interests and perspectives of their target audience. For example a fairly recent podcast title from 26^th June 2019 was the “Gender Pay Gap” and the hosts were financial journalist Iona Bain, and writer Ambreen Razia. This demonstrates how much conversations have changed over the last seventy years. Aside from conversations the way in which radio is distributed to its target audience has also significantly improved ever since Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) was introduced to the UK in 1995. This meant that radio could be listened to from cars or MP3 therefore making it easier for targeted audiences to access. In the case of Late Night Women’s Hour this meant that women no longer had to listen from the home radio.

One of the main theories that surround audiences and the radio industry is Curran and Seaton’s Power and Media industries theory. They argue that Late Night Women’s Hour challenges the idea that media is controlled by a small number of companies driven by the logic of profit and power. The fact that Late Night Women’s Hour is available on podcast supports Curran and Seaton’s idea that socially diverse patterns of ownership help create conditions for varied and adventurous production.

Even though LNWH is targeted at women different podcasts are aimed at various age groups regarding the topic. For example one of the conversations was titled “Heart attacks/ Taking your child to work” and the presenters were barrister Samantha Davies and scientists Sophie Scott. Initially, the demographic group that is directed towards is working mothers and women with health issues. However, any one who is interested in health or what life is like for a working mother can tune in.

CASE STUDY: Late Night Women's hour

History of LNWH.

Late Night Woman's Hour is a spin-off from the long-running BBC Radio 4 daily magazine programme, Woman's Hour. It began broadcasting in 2015 on a limited basis but was so popular that it began a permanent run as a monthly, then in 2018, a weekly podcast. Woman’s Hour was first broadcast in the 1940s, so it’s worth considering the historical and social shifts that have occurred since the show’s inception. The original show reflects possible tokenism (a show set aside for women might imply all other radio content was oriented towards men). Late Night Woman’s Hour features frank and open discussions and demonstrates societal shifts and increased gender equality although some of the issues raised reflect the fact that society is not yet completely equal.

Product Context/ Themes of LNWH

It is recorded weekly and hosted by Emma Barnett. The podcast also features female guests from a range of backgrounds including science, health and entertainment. Each episode focuses on a particular theme that applies or is relevant to the female audience e.g 'Lost Friends'. The original broadcast was usually at 11pm every Thursday which means explicit and honest conversations.

The podcast reflects the changes in women's position in society as when it was first broadcasted in the 40s many of the topics were based around women in the war however today's conversatons on the podcast are quite empowering for women . For example the title for a recent conversation was "How to make your voice heard" and it included special guests who are young female activists.

RADIO INDUSTRY- Research Task 1

BBC RADIO 1: To entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a  distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech.

BBC RADIO 3: To offer a mix of music and cultural programming in order to engage and entertain its audience.

BBC RADIO 4: To be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes.

BBC ASIAN NETWORK: To provide speech and music output appealing to British Asians, with a strong focus on news and current affairs.

EXAM QUESTION: Assassins Creed

How have recent technological changes had an impact on the production, distribution and audience experience of computer games?

Self Reflection of Poster (300 words)

Self Reflection

My poster consisted of a side portrait of a model shot by myself. The editing included adding the title to the top of the poster and release date and review placed at the bottom.