MFC4432 - International Film Industries: Contemporary Issues and Debates

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary developments in the film industry
explain the role of different types of organisations and processes in the film industry internationally
demonstrate effective skills in written communication
demonstrate effective skills in group work and oral presentation
demonstrate effective independent research skills

Content:

The module introduces you to the contemporary film industry internationally, contrasting the Hollywood business model with alternative modes of production. It addresses topics including the processes and organisations involved in production, distribution, and exhibition; funding and public policy; the role of stars and genre in the film market; control, regulation, and censorship; marketing, promotion, and advertising; audiences and cinema-going; the internationalisation/globalisation of the film industry; and the impact of new filmmaking technologies.

You will examine and analyse a variety of texts and other sources of information and undertake basic research exercises. The module also enables you to practise and apply skills for group work and oral presentation.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The scheduled learning and teaching activities include lectures, screenings, and seminars. The lectures provide the necessary context for that week’s topic, and will introduce relevant theoretical concepts or transferable skills. Screenings provide examples of the keys concepts introduced in lectures, and the broad range of films used in this course will expand your reference base of films. Seminars provide you with an opportunity to discuss issues raised in the course of the module.

The module runs across two semesters to (1) provide you with a range of knowledge of film industries; and, (2) to allow time for you to bed into university and to develop as learners through the acquisition of key academic skills.

Learning and teaching method Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Seminars
Hours: 20
Intended Group size: 3 x 15

Screenings
Hours: 30
Intended Group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 130

Further details relating to assessment
Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Students permitted to take a half-module for the award of 10 credits in semester 1 or 2 will be assessed by the form of assessment specified for that semester. This includes satisfactory completion of the directed activities for that semester.
Semester 1 - Report 2,000 words (90%) and Directed Activities (10%)
Semester 2 - Group Presentation (90%) and Directed Activities (10%)

Assessment:

001 Directed activities throughout semester 1 & 2 10%
002 Report 2000 words end of semester 1 45%
003 Group presentation 10 mins (15-20 mins in Q&A) end of semester 2 45%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Mr Tom Donnelly
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4YL

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