Film Focus: The Making of a Blockbuster
- Synopsis
 - A two-part unit of five programmes which exploits the appeal of box office hits to deliver ingredients for serious media analysis. The first three programmes which form part 1 go behind the scenes of the 19th James Bond film THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH. The 4th and 5th programmes feature the work of Baz Luhrmann.
1: Follows much of the early work, including scripts, finance, the director’s role, location hunting, casting, design and storyboarding.
2: Concentrates on a few significant scenes, illustrating camerawork, costumes and design, lighting, stunt work, special effects, and the pressures of filming on location.
3: Covers editing, sound, music, and the marketing campaign.
4: Looks at Baz Luhrmann’s early work and how he developed his particular vision in STRICTLY BALLROOM.
5: Focuses on Luhrmann’s WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET. - Language
 - English
 - Country
 - Great Britain
 - Medium
 - Television; Video
 - Technical information
 - Colour / Sound
 - Transmission details
 - 1 Jan 2004 at 10:45 (Channel: Channel Four)
 - Duration
 - 45 mins
 - Availability
 - Sale
 
Credits
- Contributor
 - Baz Luhrmann
 
Additional Details
- Production type
 - Documentary/Educational/News
 - Plays
 - Romeo and Juliet
 - Subjects
 - Media studies
 - Keywords
 - film and television production; Luhrmann, Baz; marketing; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
 - Related items
 - William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo + Juliet’
 
Notes
- Notes
 - The episode featuring Baz Luhrmann’s WILLAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO + JULIET was first transmitted 11 May 2004.
 - Documentation
 - Programme notes at URL: http://www.channel4.com/school/netnotes
 - Uses
 - Secondary schools.
 
Sections
- Title
 - Making of a blockbuster, The: pre-production
 - Synopsis
 - 1: Follows much of the early work, including scripts, finance, the director’s role, location hunting, casting, design and storyboarding.
 - Title
 - Making of a blockbuster, The production
 - Synopsis
 - 2: Concentrates on a few significant scenes, illustrating camerawork, costumes and design, lighting, stunt work, special effects, and the pressures of filming on location.
 - Title
 - Making of a blockbuster, The: postproduction
 - Synopsis
 - 3: Covers editing, sound, music, and the marketing campaign.
 - Title
 - Director’s masterclass 1, The
 - Synopsis
 - 4: Looks at Baz Luhrmann’s early work and how he developed his particular vision in STRICTLY BALLROOM.
 - Title
 - Director’s masterclass 2, The
 - Synopsis
 - 5: Focuses on Luhrmann’s mould-breaking ROMEO AND JULIET.
 
Production Company
- Name
 Double Exposure
Sponsor
- Name
 Channel Four Television
- Phone
 - 071-396 4444
 - Address
 - LONDON
SW1P 2TX 
Distributor (Sale)
- Name
 4 Learning
- Notes
 - Channel 4 Learning has now closed. This used to be the educational broadcasting arm of Channel 4. The online shop sold educational DVDs and CD-ROMs for use in primary and secondary schools.
 
How to cite this record
Shakespeare, "Film Focus: The Making of a Blockbuster". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/7650 (Accessed 04 Nov 2025)