1. Audiences and Producers
STARS

2. Stars
Most stars of the early
feature period (1920’s
– 40’s) had such well
defined screen
identities that they
were virtually
typecast.
Can you name two or
three actors who have
clear screen identities
today?

3. What is a star?
Worksheets 1 and 2

4. Star Vehicles
• Films which are constructed around the image
/ persona of a popular star
• Star vehicles started in the Golden era when
Block-booking was invented
• Films were sold on the ‘star’ not the story.
• Popular stars like Greta Garbo are part of Star
Vehicles.
• An example of film as star vehicle is Beverly
Hills which was lead by Eddie Murphy

5. Star Vehicle
• Which films would you consider to be ‘star
vehicles’?
• Do these stars repeatedly play the same kind
of roles?
• Why are they pleasing to their audiences?

6. Stars and the discourse of fandom
We will be looking at an official star site of one of
your favourite stars
• Which of the stars qualities are highlighted?
• Do the images feature the stars recognisable
persona?
• How does the site link to the stars persons and
specific film roles?
• How is the star being ‘sold’ to the audience?
• What does the site offer fans

7. Stars today
• Do you agree that Hollywood films are
dominated by just a few actors?
• Do you think, from what you read or hear, that
actors are spoilt and demanding?
• Are there actors that you consider to have
responsibilities to the films they make?
• Are there others whom you consider to be
making too many films around the same
character or theme to exploit their popularity?

8. Stars as………
• Stars and celebrity: Jennifer Aniston
• Stars and Britishness: Hugh Grant
• Stars and representation: Will Smith

9. British V American stars
• Can you name any British actors that have
made it in Hollywood?
• How important for the British Film industry is
the use of UK ‘talent’ in films financed outside
Britain?

10. British V American stars
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2002/aug
/30/artsfeatures?INTCMP=SRCH
• Please read the article and create a case study
on One British Actor and one American and
consider career, roles and publicity (for
themselves and when selling a film)
• Please complete for next week