Assignment 26.3
- Hairspray (2007)
o Rating: PG (for language, some suggestive content, and momentary teen smoking)
o Genre: Comedy, Musical & Performing Arts
o Directed By: Adam Shankman
o Written By: Thomas Meehan, Mark O'Donnell, Leslie Dixon
o In Theatres: July 20, 2007
o On Disc/Streaming: Nov 20, 2007
o Box Office: $118,823,091
o Runtime: 117 minutes
o Studio: New Line Cinema
Hairspray is explicitly set in Baltimore, Maryland and the original 1988 film had been shot on location there, but the 2007 film was shot primarily in Toronto because the city was better equipped with the sound stages necessary to film a musical.
Producers – Neil Meron and Craig Zadan.
Neil Meron previously had produces similar films such as Chicago and The Bucket List. So, when discussing his ideas with directors and writers he had the experience needed to know what works, and what doesn’t in the industry. He knew exactly what types of songs top hits would be. And the type of characters people would love and relate to. However, from looking at the films/ musicals he had previously directed it clear to see that this was the first to “go against the status quo”. And wet against his normal kind of actors to show a “large” protagonist being able to be the same big star than any other person could be. Craig Zadan also produced large scale musicals and films as well as live shows, so he had the knowledge of how to make the audience laugh there and then. Between them, they were able to form focus groups and presentations to come up with the perfect idea for a new film.
Target Audience
Although you would think it is a nice musical about a girl wanting to be a dancer, I would say that this is suitable for people 15 or above considering that there are multiple sexual references throughout the film. Such as when Corny Collins is shown removing socks from his crotch in front of two women. As well as a song which the lyrics say “won’t go all the way but ill go pretty far” this is clearly referencing sexual meanings and thoughts, which aren’t suitable for younger audiences.
However, they use many different things to entice an audience. As soon as you hear the word musical there will instantly be another type of audience interested. then when it says racial issues another type of audience become interested. They use the right kind of keywords to interest people when putting out advertisements and posters. This is the key way of how they get certain people to be intrigued by this film and ultimately go and see it.
I think that the main type of audience they were trying to entice was teenagers who enjoyed musicals and young adults. I don’t think they were really reaching for the older audience when making this however that doesn’t mean to say they didn’t get a big viewing from that category.
Marketing Strategies
the film was easily distributed as they had a very clear logo and title which was easily recognizable to anyone that sees it. They also used interviews and adverts to show the new upcoming musical to a wider audience. The first sign of advertisement they used was casting. Before they had even set up the full storyline of the musical, they had to hold auditions to find the best actors top play the roles necessary. So already this film was advertised to a wide audience of people before anyone even knew what it was about. Then there would have been tv adverts and posters and radio adverts so they would have been able to spread the word about this new film quite easily and quickly so when the actual film came round to being released loads of people would have seen the marketing and would have gotten intrigued by it.
How was the film distributed?
Production Companies
- New Line Cinema (presents)
- Ingenious Film Partners (in association with)
- Zadan / Meron Productions (as Zadan / Meron)
- Offspring Entertainment (produced in association with)
- Storyline Entertainment (uncredited)
Distributors
- New Line Cinema (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
- Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution (2007) (Canada) (theatrical)
The Adam Shankman-directed film added $4,274,000 at the box office the weekend of Aug. 17, pushing its gross total to $100,577,000.
"Hairspray" opened in theatres nationwide July 20. During its first weekend, the film took in $27,800,000. The nearly $30 million box-office take for "Hairspray" was reportedly the biggest opening for any movie musical on record. Previous record holders included 1982's "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" ($11 million) and 2005's "Rent" ($10 million). Both "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls" opened in limited release.
During the July 27-29 weekend, "Hairspray" grossed $15,899,890. The Aug. 3-5 take was $9,325,000. For the Aug. 10-12 weekend, it took in $6,396,666.
Synopsis-
Tracy Turnblad sat in the waiting room. If you would have told her seven months ago she would have been in this situation she would have laughed right in your face. The Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant concluded 6 months ago. And her life could not have been better. The show was finally integrated, something she had dreamed about for so long and she finally got the boy. She thought nothing in her life could be more perfect than in that moment. But sadly, all good things must come to an end. Even if you weren't given the opportunity to change them. And as for Link, well. Six months ago, he left Baltimore without another word. In less than 24 hours he would be going home. He would be back on the streets of Baltimore as we follow these two watching the highs and lows of their new unexpected life.
Characters-
Tracy Turnblad- Nikki Blonsky
Link Larkin- Zac Efron
Penny Pingleton - Amanda Bynes
Seaweed- Elijah Kelley
Edna Turnblad- John Travolta
Wilbur Turnblad- Christopher Walkin
Corny Collins- James MarsdenMotormouth Maybelle- Queen Latifah
Doctor- Hugh Grant
Classification-
12A
Intended Audience-
The intended audience for this film would be around ages 12-25 considering all the actors would be around the age of 16-20 so therefor the age range would relate to the people watching. The main audience that would watch it would be the people who watched the original Hairspray. Also people who are interested musicals and dancing would watch this film.
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