APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2013/2014

KLS 3630 The Movie Industry

Responsible for the course
Terje Gaustad

Department
Department of Communication - Culture and Languages

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
Norwegian

Introduction
More than perhaps any other industry, the movie industry is dependent on a balance and interplay between the creative and artistic aspects on the one hand and the economic and administrative aspects on the other. The industry is primarily project-based, and each movie project demands significant resources, which again places a high demand on economic and administrative competences. Yet, such competences are of little value unless they also preserve the artistic and creative processes that are the basis for the industry’s value creation.

The course contains three main sections: First, the industry framework and structure is covered to provide a sectored overview over the players and their interactions. Attention is then turned on the markets, including the audience market, the markets between producers, distributors and retailers/outlets, as well as the industry labor markets. Finally, product and cash flows are analyzed to better understand for instance the impact of the substantial public subsidy which the Norwegian industry receives.

While focus is primarily on the Norwegian industry, it is emphasized how what is seen in Norway is a case of how the industry works internationally, only shaped by the particular framework conditions under which the Norwegian industry operates.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
The student will gain knowledge of the movie industry value chain and organization, its economy and driving forces, as well as its institutional environment and history.

Acquired skills
The student will develop skills to (a) carry out basic analyses of film projects, (b) identify and analyze industry challenges, and (c) communicate his/her analyses and recommendations from a industry perspective through professional writing.

Reflection
The course will promote respect, understanding and tolerance for both the artistic and commercial values governing the movie industry and for the dilemmas and tensions that may arise between these sets of values.

Prerequisites
No particular prerequisites.

Compulsory reading
Books:
Caves, Richard E. 2000. Creative industries : contracts between art and commerce. Harvard University Press. Introduksjon, kap 5, kap 6 (s.103-116), kap 8 og kap 10
Hanche, Øivind, Gunnar Iversen, Nils Klevjer Aas. 2004. "Bedre enn sitt rykte" : en liten norsk filmhistorie. 2. utg. Norsk filminstitutt
Helgesen, Thorleif og Terje Gaustad. 2002. Medieøkonomi: strategier, markedsføring, medierettigheter. Stølen. kap 8
Squire, Jason E. , ed. 2006. The Movie business book. International 3rd edition. Open University Press. Kap. 1, 2, 13, 20, 24, 27, 28 og 30

Collection of articles:
Gaustad, Terje. 2013. Artikkelsamling for KLS 3630 Filmbransjen. Handelshøyskolen BI

Recommended reading
Books:
Eberts, Jake and Terry Ilott. 1990. My indecision is final : the spectacular rise and fall of Goldcrest Films, the independent studio that challenged Hollywood. Atlantic Monthly Press. Utsolgt fra forlaget
Finney, Angus. 2010. The international film business : a market guide beyond Hollywood. Routledge
Marich, Robert. 2013. Marketing to moviegoers : a handbook of strategies and tactics. 3rd ed. Southern Illinois University Press. Kap. 1-8
Puttnam, David. 1997. The undeclared war : the struggle for control of the world's film industry. HarperCollinsPublisher. Utsolgt fra forlaget

Course outline

• Historic and political perspective: The Norwegian, European and American Movie Business
• Business Structure and Organization
• The Production Sector
• The Distribution Sector
• The Exhibition Sector
• Key Economic Characteristics
• Movie marketing
• Transactions and Rights
• Product and Cash Flows
• Project Financing
• Relationships to other Cultural Industries