The document discusses how "Straight Outta Compton" is both a mainstream and high concept film. It can be summarized in a sentence or two, features recognizable characters, and has a high budget for marketing. The film depicts the career of the rap group N.W.A. and focuses on the rise and fall of the group and its members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre. It uses stereotypes, archetypes, and universal themes like racism and police brutality to tell its simple narrative story.

2. MAIN STREAM – HIGH CONCEPT FILM
• ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is a main stream – high concept film. This means that the
film is identified as a film that is currently popular with most people, as mainstream
films tend to be made and financed by one of the six production companies, and
therefore have large advertising budgets, and are screened in multiplexes to mass
audiences.
• ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is a high concept film as it can be summed up in a sentence
or two. It is also recognisable to audiences, and easily marketable, with a high budget.

3. VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF ‘STRAIGHT OUTTA
COMPTON’ BEING A MAINSTREAM, HIGH CONCEPT FILM
There are clearly
defined characters,
often recognisable
in terms of
stereotypes and
archetypes.
Eric Wright is the
first character
presented on wall
as a.k.a. Eazy E
Andre Young is the
second character
presented – a.k.a.
Dr Dre – right hand
of screen
O’ Shea Jackson –
a.k.a. Ice Cube
presented as the
third character on
the left hand side
of screen
Antoine Carraby –
a.k.a. DJ Yella is the
fourth character
presented on the
left hand of the
screen.

4. EVIDENCE

5. STEREOTYPES/ARCHETYPES
• The characters are presented as stereotypical ‘black gangsters’ from the opening scene, over
sized jumpers, baseball caps, chains and loose trousers are evidently shown to the audience.
• In addition to this, the opening scene appears to show a middle aged black man sitting by a
small table, which contains cigarettes and a suspicious white powder, further hinting that illegal
drugs (cocaine) are being used and kept within the location of the home within ‘Straight Outta
Compton).
• This further emphasises and fits into the idea of the stereotypical black untrustworthy man who’s
only aim in life is to be a drug dealer.
• The location and home itself is also stereotypical, as there appears to be a mess within the
home, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. and women sitting on the sofas. This almost links into the idea of
‘the hood’ and the ghetto side of a town or city.

6. SIMPLE NARRATIVE/ UNIVERSAL
THEMES
THE UNIVERSAL THEMES PRESENT IN ‘SOC’ INLUDE:
• Racism/ prejudice
• Poverty
• Music industry
• Police brutality/ injustice
• Disenfranchisement of young, black men
SIMPLE NARRATIVE:
‘Straight Outta Compton’ is depicting the career of gangsta rap group N.W.A. Titled
N.W.A's 1988 debut studio album, the film focuses on members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and
Dre, and the rise and fall of the group.

7. HIGH PRODUCTION VALUES
The high production values are evident in aspects of the
cinematography, costumes, settings and special effects. Within the
opening scene, a point of view shot is used, presenting the character
Eazy. E coming out of the car and heading towards a house. It is at this
point, where the location is established as being ‘Compton CA, 1986’.
The costumes are a reflection of the stereotypical black gangsta male.
The use of jewellery's, baseball caps, trainers, loose trousers and
hoodies/ oversized t-shirts, foreshow how the characters are to be
initially perceived as dangerous.
The location is established to be ‘Compton CA, 1986’ before shortly
being introduced to a home, which is perceived to be a friends/ family
members home. The setting of the home, with aspects of drugs,
weapons etc. prepare the audience for the action to come- police
forcefully entering the home, by destroying it.
The special effects include the dark lighting/ colour pallete used at the
beginning of the scene to create apprehension and suspense for the
audience, as well as sounds associated with a neighbourhood, e.g. dog

8. MARKETABILITY• There are elements that are easy to market and promote, for example
iconic repeatable image being that of the five members of N.W.A.
walking down a street, whilst heading in the direction of the camera. It
is a sign of empowerment, brotherhood and standing up for what one
believes, allowing the audience to feel sympathy for the obstacles the
members have had to face, in order to get where they wanted to be. It
is also relatable, and therefore may be marketable to a young
audience, who may find themselves in similar situations.
• The use of a recognisable soundtrack ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is the
debut studio album by American hip hop group N.W.A, released
August 8, 1988 on group member Eazy-E's record label Ruthless
Records. This brings nostalgia to an audience who may have grown
up on such music, or anyone who is able to relate with the lyrics,
making the music a key aspect of the marketing side of the business,
as there is a sense of authenticity created.
• Merchandising becomes a possibility, as a mass market is identified,
as there are different aspects of the music, narrative, genre, etc. which
may relate or inspire different people.

9. HIGH PROFILE STARS RELATED TO THE
FILMS GENREAs the film is based on the actual N.W.A. group, who were signed to Ruthless Records, the film is
based on the experience of a group of males who became a successful rap singers;
• Ice Cube – vocals( 1986 – 89), Eazy – E – vocals (1986 – 91), Dr. Dre – vocals, DJ Yella-
vocals
Thus, it is important that the film features actors who embody the men themselves. As a result,
the producers of the film include the men themselves Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, which appeals to an
audience, as it suggests that the film is made as accurately, and biographically as possible.
This is a positive, as it means that Ice Cube’s and Dr. Dre’s fan base, followers, consumers are
brought and drawn to the film, allowing the film to receive more recognition, viewers and target
audience.
Dr. Dre Ice Cube

10. VISUAL APPEAL
The visual appeal for ‘Straight Outta Compton’ involves actions scenes, such as the one
which is used as an opening scene, when Eazy – E appears to be escaping away from the
police. The scene begins with Eazy – E visiting a home, however as the scene progresses,
it appears that the police are on the loose, with the mission to catch them. At this point
in time, Eazy – E along with the others in the home, hide all the weapons (guns) , drugs –
etc, and attempt to run out of the house, before it is completely destroyed. The lavish
sets and expensive action scenes, create meaning for the audience, as the audience are
positioned to be apprehensive and left in suspense, as they wait to see what happens
next.

11. ‘LARGER THAN LIFE’ PROTAGONISTS
The protagonists in ‘Straight Outta Compton’ appear to be Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, who
work together to lead the rest of N.W.A. is the best possible direction. The protagonists
are presented in a positive way, as they shown to be ambitious, courageous and strong,
as they attempt to break the boundaries within the music industry, the social injustice
and fight for a career they are passionate about. These protagonists play a huge part of
the narrative of the story, as well as allow a large target audience be immersed in the
storyline, as they are dragged into the journey.

12. HIGHLY DRAMATIC AND HYPERBOLIC
PLOT SITUATIONS
The use of highly dramatic and hyperbolic plot situations, are a key element in attracting
a global audience to ensure the success of the product. A key example of a highly
dramatic situation is when the police appear to detain the members of N.W.A. by
pushing and forcing them on the ground, whilst hand cuffing them. It is the use of the
line ‘You can’t come here, and harass my clients, based on what they look like’ which
indicates to the audience that racism and prejudice is a key recurring theme which
appears to be revisited throughout. It is highly dramatic and hyperbolic plot situations
such as these which attract an audience, as it engages the audiences with topical issues,
which remain topical, relatable and current.

13. PRODUCTION COMPANIES
• The film features the production company Legendary Entertainment (also known as
Legendary Pictures Productions, LLC or simply Legendary) which are an American media
company. Legendary have divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to
mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. This may
attract consumers or audiences towards the film, as Legendary is considered a well
established American production company.
• Universal pictures is the other production company which is a member of the Motion Picture
Association of America (MPAA) and is one of Hollywood's "Big Six" studios. Universal Pictures
creates and distributes theatrical and non-theatrical filmed entertainment and are a well