To provide students with an understanding of the organizational and operational logic of screen industries in the 21st century

To examine debates and ideas about the role and nature of screen industries as they operate in a converged and global media environment

To investigate working and other professional practices in screen industries and the cultures that produce and cultivate them

To understand the political, economic, social, cultural and other contexts that shape the environment within which screen industries operate

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of the distinct organizational and operational logic that characterizes film, television and video game industries in the 21st century

(LO2) Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with debates about the nature of screen industries in the increasingly converged and global media environment within which they operate and evolve

(LO3) Demonstrate a critical awareness of working and other professional practices in screen industries and the cultures that produce and cultivate them

(LO4) Demonstrate an ability to interrogate how political, economic, social, cultural and other contexts shape the environment within which screen industries operate

(S1) Researching and locating materials through the effective use of library and information services, bibliographies and electronic sources of knowledge and information

(S2) Academic writing

(S3) Creative thinking and writing techniques

(S4) Time management and project planning

BLOCK A: KEY CONCEPTS
Week 1: Legacy vs digital screens
Week 2: Studio systems and media conglomeration
Week 3: Media convergence

Block B: STRUCTURES
Week 4: Independent cinema to indie TV
Week 5: Immersive media ecosystems
Week 6: Franchise cultures and international markets

Week 7 Reading Week

BLOCK C: PEOPLE
Week 8: International star systems
Week 9: Unofficial circulation, gossip and reputation
Week 10: Managing resources

BLOCK D: POWER
Week 11: Regulation
Week 12: Cultural policy and diversity

In delivering this syllabus, the teaching team will invite some industry practitioners to provide personal insight and expertise. Discussion are already underway to invite UoL alumni who work in the industry, such as the head of major tv company Endemol as well as locally based producers and executives.

Please note that while the Blocks and their foci in particular areas of screen industries as well as the structure of the module is set, the details of particular sessions and the case studies involved may change depending on who teaches in the module.

Teaching Method – Workshop.
Description: weekly 2-hour sessions that combine lectures and seminar-type group discussions. Students are assigned reading in advance of the class.
This activity may be online or on campus and could be subject to changes.

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-directed learning - Reading, researching and preparing for assignments.