Strategies in Screen Industries

The course investigates screen industries and their evolution in the last few decades. In particular, it focuses on:

a) the strategies adopted by public and private media companies;

b) the policies introduced by supra-national institutions and organizations (European Union, WTO, etc.), as well as by national governments and local/regional public administrations;

c) screen industries’ market performances.

The course is composed of two parts:

• The first one is focused on the screen industries, mainly on their strategies (integration, internationalization, diversification, etc.) and the business models in the main European countries and in Switzerland. New forms of digital television (as OTTTV), videogames and books evolution (as e-boks) are analyzed.
• The second one focuses on the film industry and investigates traditional as well as emerging models of film financing, production, distribution, and consumption. Particular attention will be paid to film policy and public film financing that regulate and support film business in Europe and Switzerland. 

At the end of the course the students will have:

• an in-depth knowledge about the economic principles that govern screen industries and the main market trends;
• the ability to identify the political and socio-cultural factors that influence screen industries’ business in different geographic areas.

In presenza

The course will be structured in lectures led by the two instructors. Sessions will be accompanied with power point presentations and video clips.

Students’ class attendance is strongly encouraged and the participation will be evaluated. The instructors will not provide alternative teaching materials for non-attending students.

The final grade will be composed of the results achieved by students in: 

• presentation of a case study analysis (40% of the final evaluation)
• oral exam (60% on the final evaluation)

Required Material

The following readings are mandatory for the second part of the course and will be uploaded on the iCorsi platform:

• Tom Schatz (2008), “The studio system and conglomerate Hollywood” in Paul McDonald and Janet Wasko (eds.), The contemporary Hollywood film industry, Malden, MA; Oxford : Blackwell: 13-40.
• Ramon Lobato (2019), Netflix Nations. The Geography of Digital Distribution, New York University Press: selected chapters.

Students are also expected to study their personal notes, the slides and teaching materials discussed during the lectures.