Science Fiction Case Study 2: Attack The Block (2011)

Your second case study for our Science Fiction exam topic is the 2011 British urban Science Fiction hybrid Attack The Block.

Work through the following tasks in order to make yourself an expert on the film. You will need this knowledge to answer Task 1 in the exam.

Case Study 2: Attack The Block

Most importantly, watch the film. You can buy it on YouTube, Amazon or iTunes or if you have a Netflix subscription it should be available on there. We will screen the opening of the film in class.

Then, use imdb.com, rottentomatoes.com and any other relevant websites you can access to find out the following information about the film...

Genre and Media language analysis
1) What sub-genre of Science Fiction does Attack The Block fit into? What issues or fears in society might be addressed in the film?

2) How can you tell it fits that sub-genre? Be specific with reference to specific clips or scenes from the film.

3) How does the narrative (storyline) of the film fit the Science Fiction genre?

4) Who are the main characters in Attack The Block and what target audience would they appeal?

5) How does the mise-en-scene in Attack The Block fit the Science Fiction genre? You can find more information about mise-en-scene here and A Level analysis of it here.


Release date and marketing campaign
1) What was the UK release date for Attack The Block?

2) Find the trailer for Attack The Block, embed it in your blog and explain why it might appeal to an audience. 

3) What other examples of marketing can you find on Google for Attack The Block (film poster, teaser trailers, main trailers, newspaper reviews or TV interviews etc.)


Critical reception
1) What is the IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes rating for Attack The Block?

2) What is the word-of-mouth like for Attack The Block? Use the IMDB user review rating or the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer rating to judge whether the public rate the movie.

3) Find three quotes (no more than 25 words each) from user reviews of Attack The Block and post them on your blog.


Key scene analysis and audience pleasures
1) Choose three key scenes from Attack The Block and write about how they fit the key conventions of the Science Fiction genre.

2) Choose one scene from Attack The Block that you think an audience would enjoy. Why would they enjoy the scene? Refer to Uses and Gratifications theory (diversion; personal identity etc.) and the Three Vs - visceral, vicarious or voyeuristic pleasures. 

3) Which characters in Attack The Block would particularly appeal to different audience types? Refer to a specific scene in the film to support your points.

4) Write a detailed demographic breakdown of the possible target audience for Attack The Block. Include age, gender, social class, education, job/earnings, where they live, what they enjoy in their spare time and brands they are attracted to.


All tasks MUST be completed before Thursday 3 March.