Revision - Black Mirror: Industry

Charlie Brooker

• the writer/producer of Black Mirror is Charlie Brooker and he is known for creating post-modern media
• he has a history of success writing/producing shows
• for example, Nathan Barley, Deadset and Newswipe
• his involvement attracts pre sold audiences who may be cult fans of his previous work

Channel 4 and Netflix

• the first two series were broadcast on Channel 4 and created a large fan base for the show
• Brooker's own production company Zeppotron worked with Endemol to create Series 1 and 2 for Channel 4
• Black Mirror is an "anthology" series where every episode is self-contained and tells a different story to the rest
• this increased production costs as they needed new locations/set, cast and costumes/props for each episode
• Channel 4 decided it was too expensive to continue to produce on their own so they reached out to other companies
• a number of companies were interested in co-producing the show including Netflix, AMC, The Sci Fi channel and HBO
• Channel 4 is a not for profit company, and so funding a very expensive series (even in partnership) was impossible
• Channel 4 could not compete with these offers, so Endemol sold the whole series to Netflix
• Netflix bought the production and distribution rights from Endemol in 2015 for $40 million
• Netflix offered Brooker a much higher budget per episode, allowing for much more exciting and costly storylines
• Series 3 was 6 episodes that dropped simultaneously onto Netflix, reflecting the growing trend for streaming and binge watching
• As well as Series 3, Netflix commissioned Series 4, 5 and 6 as well as a standalone interactive movie called Bandersnatch

Budget

• the set episode had a high budget which allowed it to be filmed in several global locations including South Africa
• they were able to cast American actors and also create a number of visual effects using CGI
• they could afford the rights to a number of songs from periods like the 1980s

Plot

• the series had gained a reputation for dark and controversial plots
• San Junipero has a very different tone to previous episodes, with a focus on Americanised aesthetics, and a less gritty outlook
• Brooker didn't want to alienate existing fans so tried not to over "Americanise" all the subsequent episodes

Marketing and Netflix

• Netflix released a range of teasers for the series including the post-modern mash up trailer using a clip from Friends
• a range of posters were created to tease the episode/series
• Netflix promoted it on their streaming site via "suggested content"
• Series 3 was also promoted via a board game linked to an episode called Nosedive
• the soundtrack was available to purchase
• Brooker also created a Spotify playlist for the set episode
• a book is also available called 'Inside Black Mirror book'
• Black Mirror maze at Thorpe Park was created
• Netflix cross promoted Orange Is The New Black and Black Mirror with a viral mashup parody
• helped to target fans of existing dark but emotional drama
• Netflix's European headquarters are in Amsterdam and so the streaming site is not regulated by Ofcom
• this is why Netflix can get away with more graphic or controversial content
• in this set episode, there are themes of euthanasia which are often quite taboo