Course Resources Archive

This module introduces students to the economic structure of the film industry and surveys its contemporary context of operation. The economic foundations of the industry as a business enterprise will be explored with respect to the key sectors of production, distribution, marketing, and exhibition. Recent developments of technological convergence with other media shall also be studied.

In this module students will study the organisational relationships between production, distribution, marketing, and exhibition sectors with particular stress placed upon how vertical and horizontal integration has been sought to achieve economies of scale. The Hollywood business model will be examined and contrasted with the independent cinema. Recent issues concerning media conglomeration and technological convergence will bring students up to speed as to the industry's most recent and significant developments. Students will study the transformational force of digital technologies across the entire motion picture value chain. Industry strategies that seek to respond to technological convergence, disintermediation, and film piracy will also be studied.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Understand the economic basis of the film industry and the interrelated functions of its key sectors

2. Analyse how the film industry has been responsive to its external social and economic environment

3. Analyse the organisational structure of contemporary media conglomerates

4. Understand the significance of technological convergence upon the film and media industries

5. Describe the transformations of the film and media industries as a result of developments in digital technologies

6. Demonstrate independent research abilities

7. Communicate clearly in writing

8. Demonstrate good team skills when working in a group

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.