Course Title: Cinema Industry and Culture

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Cinema Industry and Culture

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COMM1114	City Campus	Postgraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008
COMM1114	City Campus	Postgraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011

Course Coordinator: Mark Poole

Course Coordinator Phone: email contact only

Course Coordinator Email:mark.poole@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: to be advised

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment (via email)

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

Course Description

This course examines the dynamics of cinema by looking at the Australian film industry as a case example. It provides a snapshot of the industry, how it has developed over the past 100 years, the production environment that creates its films, and the screen culture sector that supports and underpins its films and filmmakers.

You will study:
-  the business of film;
-  script development;
-  film production;
-  distribution and exhibition;
-  the government’s crucial role in the industry’s success;
-  the impact of globalisation; and
-  cultural and technological convergence on Australian and other national cinema industries and cultures.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

By the end of the the course you will be familiar with:
- theoretical, historical and critical debate as it relates to the Australian film Industry;
- film culture and the Australian policy contexts, both historic and contemporary;
- dominant theories and conceptions of Australian cinema;
- histories of Australian cinema;
- the variety and range of Australian filmmaking practice and film culture;
- the relationship between Australian and international cinema;
- tensions between industry and culture;
- globalisation and industry issues such as free trade agreements; and
- issues of culture versus commerce, and whether Australian film can stand alone within its borders or thrive internationally.

Overview of Learning Activities

The course consists of lectures and seminars that will introduce theoretical positions, explain key concepts, analyse and discuss set readings and/or films.

Overview of Learning Resources

A course reader is available from RMIT Bookshop. Other readings will be discuss in class.

Overview of Assessment

You will be required to complete a research project and present an outline of it in class.