Course Resources Archive

This module is concerned with the cultural history of exhibition strategies within the British film industry.  By focusing on a particular case study, students will examine how the sites and practices of regional and national film exhibition are shaped by external market forces, cultural and representational trends of consumption, and the developments of new technological innovations.

Building upon the work of MD4601 Understanding Film and MD4604 Exhibition Practices I, this module will investigate British Cinema as an institution that actively attempts to reflect the identity, culture and changing national consciousness of the British people. It highlights the key changes occurring in the global economic, social and political environment in relation to exhibition, examines why they are taking place, and what the implications are for the British film industry. The module will also examine the economic, political and regulatory currents that determine the location, character and the meanings of sites of film exhibition and spectatorship: for example the rise of the multiplex, arthouse and independent film exhibition, the differences between urban and rural film programming, the importance of the film festival, and the key theoretical debates that have informed contemporary understandings of national cinema. Of particular relevance to the British exhibition sector will be the impact of the networked digital age on the future of consumption and exhibition practices, and how digital delivery technologies have broadened the range of theatrical and representational content.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Critically appreciate the national and cultural principles of exhibition strategy and its relationship with marketing and distribution channels.

2. Analyse the cultural and representational nature of exhibition, consumption and distribution of film and how they are managed

3. Analyse the impact of Globalization and the digitized networked world on regional and national representational and exhibition practices

4. Analyse the complexities and problems facing localized exhibition networks and how those challenges can be met.

5. Demonstrate independent research abilities

6. Communicate clearly and competently through analytical writing

7. Apply proper referencing conventions to written assignments

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.