module specification

This module develops students’ critical abilities in the analysis of film & television forms and texts, the circumstances of their financing, production, distribution and exhibition in the economy and society. It considers the role of different film and television production models, and encourages students to apply what they have learned from this analysis. The module provides an insight into the role of marketing, public relations and other promotional activities in the film and television industries. It also develops the ability of the student to critically evaluate the film and television labour market, and situate their own filmmaking practice within this framework. Alongside this critical approach, students construct an online presence as part of their professional portfolio, applying concepts and perspectives derived from the module both to examples from the wider industry and their own filmmaking practice. Students also analyse a particular professional career path as part of module.

The module provides an industry and employment-oriented perspective on the field for students across Film and Television Production and Film and Television Studies, providing a counterpoint to the personal creative aspects of film and television production in studio modules, and building on the critical and analytical elements of earlier modules in L4.

This module aims to:
• To outline film & television industry structures and current industry opportunities.
• To acquaint students with key economic and institutional developments in film & television with particular emphasis on Britain.
• To understand current trends in the media industry towards transmedia (when media content is created to be used across a range of media platforms such as computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices).
• To encourage students to link such critical research and study to their own practice.

N/A

The module will necessarily reflect material of currency, contemporary thought and critical practice. Topics normally covered may include: 

• Models of finance, production, distribution, marketing & exhibition in a range of media budget sectors from high to no-budget, Hollywood and British cinema. LO1-4

• Promotion and self-promotion for film and television students, including the construction of an online presence. LO3-4

• Commissioning & broadcast of television film. LO2

• Film and/or television roles and career case histories.  LO3

• Changes brought about through increasing role played by new media platforms. LO3-4

The module is delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and screenings with tutorial guidance
available throughout the module. Visiting speakers, external visits and live projects will be available through the module where appropriate. Students will engage in self-directed study to enable them to complete the required assignments. Module timetables and information, and further material, including lecture notes and research links will be available to students on WebLearn.

The assignment brief will be available from the beginning of the module allowing students to plan their work in advance and when possible, live projects will be incorporated into assessments. Students will choose case studies with support from their tutor. The final assessment will allow students to build upon their earlier
research.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Analyse and understand the dynamics underlying changing patterns of production, marketing and consumption of cinema and television in economy and society.
2. Understand and outline the organisational structure of various modes of film & television production
3. Show awareness of the imperatives and constraints that operate in real world media content production.
4. Present work across a variety of media in a professional fashion.

The module is assessed firstly via an online portfolio which demonstrates students understanding of different models of film production, and their reflection on their own creative practice, in a context of personal self-promotion. Secondly, a career case study allows students to demonstrate a further understanding of possible roles in the film and television industries and the contemporary employment context regarding a specific individual within the industry. This is then related to their own career plans.

Identify core and additional reading
Liaise with Library Services to confirm availability of on-line licenses in academic year

Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module.  Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks.  Reading Lists will be updated annually.

Acland, C.A., 2003 Screen Traffic: Movies, Multiplexes, and Global Culture, North Carolina: Duke University Press
Bruns, A., 2008 From Production to Produsage (Digital Formations) New York: Peter Lang
De Valck, M. 2007 Film Festivals: From European Geopolitics to Global Cinephilia, Amsterdam: AUP
Durie, Pham & Watson 2000. Marketing and Selling Your Film Around the World, Los Angeles: Silman-James Press
Finney, A., 2010. The International Film Business, London: Routledge
Kerrigan, F. 2010. Film Marketing, Oxford: Elsevier
Klinger, B., 2006 Beyond the Multiplex: Cinema, New Technologies and the Home, California: University of California Press
www.mediasalles.it (European Cinema on-line database, including European Cinema Yearbook)
www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex (European Commission website)
www.bfi.org.uk (information on British cinema market)

Variety