99079 - Cultures of Film Production (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course investigates how the film industry works in different geographic areas, paying particular attention to the production and distribution processes. The analysis will be led within the framework of the contemporary media system, highlighting its connection with the wider social, cultural and political context. At the end of the course students: - will master the key logics of the film industry; - will have an in-depth knowledge of the Italian distinguishing features in film business and of the other main geographic areas; - will be able to analyze the relationships between different privet and public stakeholders involved in the film business; - will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to different typologies of films; - will be able to understand the role of the film industry within both the contemporary media environment and the economic-cultural system of key geographic areas.

Course contents

The course introduces students to the concept of film value chain and to the analysis of its stages, considering the ways in which they take shape in different geographic areas. As regards film production, the analysis of the corporate strategies will be combined with the investigation of the film policies with which European, national and local public institutions support and orient film creation, as well as with the analysis of how spectators can support film projects through crowdfunding campaigns. As regards distribution and consumption, the course will investigate the different paths that films can undertake for reaching their target audience, finding out traditional and unusual paths, planned and casual release patterns. At the end of the class, students will be able to find out and analyze all the film business stakeholders able to influence the creative decisions of filmmakers.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students, the reference texts are:

- CUCCO M. (2020), Economia del film. Industria, politiche, mercati, Carocci, Roma.

- CUCCO M. (2022), COVID e industria del cinema in Italia: una cronistoria critica. In "L'Avventura. International Journal of Italian Film and Media Landscapes", 7(2): 209-226.

One chapter of the book:

- CUCCO M, RICHERI G. (2022), Le industrie del cinema. Un confronto internazionale (a cura di), Mimesis, Milano-Udine.

Eligible chapters: China, Korea, Japan, India, Nigeria. 

 

For non-attending students, the reference texts are:

- CUCCO M. (2020), Economia del film. Industria, politiche, mercati, Carocci, Roma.

- CUCCO M. (2022), COVID e industria del cinema in Italia: una cronistoria critica. In "L'Avventura. International Journal of Italian Film and Media Landscapes", 7(2): 209-226.

Three chapters of the book:

- CUCCO M, RICHERI G. (2022), Le industrie del cinema. Un confronto internazionale (a cura di), Mimesis, Milano-Udine (chapters to study: China, Korea, Nigeria)

Teaching methods

In-presence lectures supported by slides, audiovisual materials and digital sources. Students are invited to actively participate to the open discussion.

Assessment methods

In order to complete the module, there will be to opportunities for attending students to take the oral exam. 

Attending students have to study:

-the slides provided by the lecturer;

-their personal notes (notes of in-class-open-discussions included);

-the texts listed in the section “Readings/Bibliography” (reference texts for attending students).

Those who did not pass the exam in these two opportunities have to take a written exam (three open questions) studying teaching materials for non-attending students (cfr. Readings/Bibliography). 

In order to complete the module, non-attending students have to take a written exam (three open questions).

Non-attending students have to study the texts listed in the section “Readings/Bibliography” (reference texts for non-attending students).

Attending and non-attending students of any academic year must refer to the teaching material of the last edition of the class (that takes place in September and October).

The result of this module’s exam will complete that of the “Cultures of Television Production” module.

The achievement of an organic vision of the themes, the use of specific language, the ability to show knowledge of contemporary film industry, as well as the ability to link the dynamics of the film industry and specific media, social and cultural contexts will be evaluated with excellent grades. Knowledge that is too much based on the readings, a non-articulated ability to synthetize or analyse, or a correct but not always appropriate language, like a school domain of the discipline, lead to average evaluations. Gaps in knowledge or inappropriate language, such as a lack of knowledge of readings and contexts, allow the student to obtain grades on the threshold of sufficiency. Knowledge gaps, inappropriate language, lack of familiarity with the bibliography and inability to analyze are evaluated negatively.

To take the exam it is necessary to register via AlmaEsami. Please note that it is necessary to show up for the session with UniBo credentials and to have an ID on you.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Slides, audiovisual material, websites of public institutions, private companies and agencies.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Cucco