After watchingJawsconsider how the movie is an example of the Blockbuster formula it helped to create.

W rite a paragraph connecting five (5) specific terms from our assignedWhat is the Blockbuster Formula?to the movieJaws, its advertising, or any other information you can find (be sure to cite your sources).

What is the Blockbuster Formula?

The word "blockbuster" was first used for a World War II 8-ton bomb that could obliterate an entire city block. Subsequently, the word came to be applied as a metaphor for all kinds of huge cultural events.

In order to address financial and cultural challenges in the 1960s and early-1970s, Hollywood downscaled its productions, and hired younger filmmakers, many coming from film schools or television. Studios made fewer movies, but increased their spending on advertising and promotion. AfterJaws(1975) andStar Wars(1977) became "blockbuster" moviesthe highest grossing movies of all timethe studios looked to their success and developed ablockbuster formuladuring the late-1970s and 1980s that in many ways continues today. Here are some defining qualities.

High concept

Blockbusters are more easily marketed if they have a simple concept at their core rather than a complicated plot. "Shark terrorizes people and must be killed." "Farm boy rescues space princess and defeats the evil Empire." We call this "high concept" versus "low concept." A low-concept movie is difficult to explain in one sentence, which makes it harder to sell. The movie titleSnakes on a Plane(2006) is a satire of high-concept.

Suburban audiences

The early movies of New Hollywood (1967-1974) targeted younger, politically-engaged audiences. But blockbusters targeted even younger kids and families in suburban America, the broad audience the studios had lost to television in the 1950s. Blockbusters showcased status quo, typically white, middle-class characters and were released in the summer and holiday seasons when kids were bored and craving entertainment.

Spectacle, Thrill Rides, and Special Effects

Blockbusters relied heavily on escapist genres such as horror, science fiction, superhero, and action/adventure that had once been the domain of theB movie(the second, and more cheaply-produced, movie in a double feature). Drive-ins and television reruns had made these genres nostalgic standards for American audiences, but advances in special effects, sound technology, and larger budgets repackaged these genres in spectacular ways, from theIndiana Jonesseries (1981-1989) toGhostbusters(1984) to theRamboseries (1982-2019). Rather than character-driven plots, these films were comprised of a string of thrillingset pieces(or self-contained sequences designed for maximum impact).

Pre-selling and Mass advertising

Blockbusters relied heavily on established titles, such as best-selling novels (The Godfather, The Exorcist, Jaws, The Shining), comic book characters (Superman,Popeye, Dick Tracy), and popular television shows (The Muppets, The Untouchables). Movie studios invested in large ad campaigns weeks or even months before a movie was released in a flurry of posters, print and television ads, trailers, promotions, early novelizations, soundtracks, and tie-ins (often with fast food chains). With advanced hype, studios tried to position movies as "cultural events" not to be missed.

Saturation booking

Shopping malls increased twentyfold in the United States during the late-1960s and 1970s. Along with malls camemultiplexes(movie theaters with multiple smaller screens). Studios adopted a "saturation booking" strategy that placed a single movie on as many screens as possible.Jawswas released in June 1975 in 409 theaters, a very large number at the time, and in July was expanded to 675 theaters (Box Office MojoLinks to an external site.).Star Warswas initially a limited release, but was quickly expanded to 1,750 screens and stayed in theaters for more than a year.

Merchandise and Toys

George Lucas negotiated a contract with Fox in which he took a reduced salary in order to retain the merchandise and sequel rights toStar Wars. This was unheard of at the timemerchandise was a minor aspect of the movie business. But onceStar Warswas released, its merchandise flew off the shelves, and to date has generated five times as much revenue for Lucas as the films themselves (Hollywood ReporterLinks to an external site.).

Reissues, Sequels, Series, and Remakes

In an age before home video,JawsandStar Warswere bothreissued(or rereleased in theaters), a trend that continued in the 1980s. Blockbusters such asSuperman(1978) orStar Trek: The Motion Picture(1979) immediately spawned sequels. Studios continually added to established series such asJames Bond, Planet of the Apes, orDirty Harry,and remade beloved titles from the past such asKing Kong(1976),Flash Gordon(1980), orThe Thing(1982). Sequels, series, and remakes offer safer investments tied to "pre-sold" properties.

Cable TV and Videotape

Once cable television and home video appeared, they quickly became majorancillary(or non-theatrical) markets for movies. The VHS videocassette was first launched in 1976, but by the mid-1980s, Hollywood made more money from its home video sales than its theatrical ticket sales. Cable television had been around for some time, but in 1980 there were only 28 national networks; by 1990 there were 79. This allowed blockbusters to stay in the popular consciousness for longer periods of time, increase their exposure, and be repackaged and resold again and again.