How films use stars

OBJECTIVES

To understand how film studios capitalise on the success of certain actors and use them to

market movies more effectively

Tom Cruise

Johnny Depp

Robin Williams

Samuel L. Jackson

Eddie MurphyTom Hanks

Harrison Ford

Morgan Freeman

Bruce Willis

Michael Caine

Box Office Mojo

What is a star?

• A star is more than just an actor• The star may refer to someone who is famous

for acting well in a film• The star may also refer to someone who

outshines film and becomes famous regardless of the quality of the film

Hollywood is full of stars

• The term ‘star’ can be overused• How do you know who is a ‘star’ and who is

merely a star?

Stars and Marketing

• Name on the poster?• No name on the poster?• Look at Tom Cruise

Top Gun (1986)

Cocktail (1988)

Days of Thunder (1990)

Mission Impossible (1996)

MI: Ghost Protocol (2010)

Ocean’s Eleven

• A star vehicle – designed specifically to show off a group of actors

• In the 1950s, the Rat Pack (as they were called):

• Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr (plus others)

• In the 2000s, a new generation of Hollywood stars

The 1950s

Ocean’s Eleven – 2000s

George Clooney

• Appears at number 91 on the BoxofficeMojo list.

Cameos

• A cameo is an uncredited appearance in a film• Usually for a short period of time• May be playing themselves• Does not appear on the production credits• Does not appear on the poster

Famous cameos: Tom Cruise in ‘Tropic Thunder’ and Stan Lee in Marvel comics adaptations; also Michael Jackson as Agent M in ‘Men In Black II’

Celebrity Production/Endorsement

• Celebrities start production companies• Their films become the star attraction• “A Steven Spielberg Production” (he didn’t

direct it, but everyone is still going to see it)• Or celebrity directors:• Clint Eastwood, Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer,

Quentin Tarantino

Your exam

FM2

PRODUCERS AND AUDIENCES

WORTH 60% of your AS Grade.