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Comcast Corporation/NBC Universal


1.Research the business conglomerate Comcast Corporation and NBC Universal
List the different companies (subsidiaries) owned by Comcast Corporation/NBC Universal and identify the industry it is situated in and product/service provided.

Universal Filmed Entertainment Group
DreamWorks Pictures labelDreamWorks Television 



What happened during the pre-production phase?

• Whose idea was the film? Did the idea start with the writer, or were writers brought in to develop a preconceived idea? 

Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American biographical film directed by F. Gary Gray, depicting the career of gangsta rap group N.W.A. Titled after N.W.A's 1988 debut studio album, the film focuses on members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre, and the rise and fall of the group. Members of N.W.A were involved in making the film, including Ice Cube and Dr. Dre as producers, as was Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright, while MC Ren and DJ Yella served as creative consultants. Ice Cube is portrayed by his son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., with Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E. Paul Giamatti also stars as N.W.A's manager Jerry Heller.


• Where did the idea come from? Was it an original idea, or perhaps a book first, or TV series, or comic strip, or from some other source? 
This film was based on true life events.
In 1988, a groundbreaking new group revolutionises music and pop culture, changing and influencing hip-hop forever. N.W.A's first studio album, "Straight Outta Compton," stirs controversy with its brutally honest depiction of life in Southern Los Angeles.

• Was the film based upon an original script or developed over time by many writers?

In March 2009, it was announced that the film was in development at New Line Cinema, with S. Leigh Savidge and Alan Wenkus writing, and Tomica Woods-Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre set to produce the film. In May 2010, it was announced Andrea Berloff would write a draft of the screenplay. In September 2011, F. Gary Gray, Craig Brewer, and Peter Berg were reportedly in talks to direct the film.In April 2012, F. Gary Gray was selected as director. Gray had worked with Ice Cube in the film Friday and Dr. Dre in the film Set It Off. By 2013, the film was picked up by Universal Studios, who, in December 2013, hired Jonathan Herman to write a new draft of the script and brought in Will Packer to executive produce, alongside Adam Merims, Alan Wenkus David Engel, Bill Straus, Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni



• Who financed the film - Production Company? What other films have they produced?

Production Companies



Universal Pictures 
Jurassic World 
Furious 7
Minions 
Legendary Entertainment 
Godzilla
Pacific Rim
New Line Cinema 
Sex And The City
The Conjuring


• Casting – who were cast in the main roles and why? How important were stars? How did the film-makers think the chosen stars would appeal to audiences?

 




Suge Knight (as R. Marcus Taylor)




First and foremost are the five members of N.W.A., the most notable being Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Dre is played by Corey Hawkins in the film, and though he does bear a passing resemblance to the good doctor, his background is considerably different: His previous project was appearing in  Romeo and Juliet on Broadway. The actor who plays Ice Cube in the film, however, was born to take on the role. That's because Ice Cube's own son, O'Shea Jackson, Jr., portrays his dad in the film, which explains their striking resemblance. The rest of N.W.A. — MC Ren, DJ Yella, and the late Eazy-E — are played by Aldis Hodge, Neil Brown Jr., and Jason Mitchell, respectively, with Mitchell especially drawing praise for both his look and impersonation.

  • Who was the producer? 
Producers: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, F. Gary Gray, Matt Alvarez, Scott Bernstein

• Who was the director and why did they take the project on? 




• Did they have a track record of success? 





• Was there anything interesting about the film soundtrack?



What happened during the production phase?

• Was it an easy ‘shoot’? If there were difficulties what were they? Were there tensions between any of the creative personnel, often known as ‘the talent’?

• Was any part of the film shot on location? If so, where? Why were some locations chosen over others? Were costs a factor?

• Where there any difficulties with casting or with acquiring the stars/actors the producer wanted?

• What did the film cost to make? How much did the stars get? Where did the budget go? Was the film shot within budget? Was it ever in any danger of going over budget?

• Were there any changes to the script during production? How many changes or re-writes?

·      What technology was used in the production of the film such as camera?

·      List some of the key people who made contributions to the production.


What happened during the marketing and distribution phase of your case study film?

• Who were the distributors? How well known was the company? What is their track record as distributors? (Other films/genres)

• Were there any issues with the classification of the film?
• Who was the target audience? How do you know?

• How did the filmmakers decide where to release the film and when? What was the eventual release pattern?

• What was the marketing and advertising strategy for the film? Was there a premiere, and if so, where?

• Find film posters and analyse them for how they reach their audience(s)
• Analyse a trailer/teaser trailer and consider how the trailer persuaded and positioned British audiences to see the film.

• What outlets were used for advertising? Was TV used, for example?

• Were there any merchandising tie-ins?

• Was any additional publicity gained, and if so, how?

What happened during the exhibition (audience) phase?

• When was the film released; also where and on how many screens?

• Were there any other special restrictions placed on the exhibition of the film?

• What were the reactions of the critics to the film? Was it considered a critical success? Has it been re-assessed since then?

• Did the film create a particular media debate, or create news headlines?

• How much money did the film take? Was it considered a commercial/financial success?

• Did it run in the cinema for some time?

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