8. How films use stars

Objective To understand how film studios capitalise on the success of certain actors and use them to market movies more effectively

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

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 (yes, really), Quentin Tarantino