Audiovisual Industry Research Articles

Facing off on the Final Frontier: The WTO Accession and the Rebranding of China's National Champions

This paper examines ramifications of China's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the context of the increasing internationalization of its audio-visual industry landscape. The paper begins with a discussion of the concept of sovereignty. This is juxtaposed against the proposition advanced by US content industry spokesperson Jack Valenti that liberalisation of markets and openness to ‘ideas' is in China's greater interest. The point is made that a leap of faith between open markets and the ‘marketplace of ideas' is viewed suspiciously by Chinese elites, despite their declaration that WTO accession represents a win-win outcome for the Chinese nation. The second section of the paper looks at how China might respond to reassert cultural sovereignty through industry development, in particular the use of branding and localisation. The conclusion reframes the utility of the idea of sovereignty in the light of China's celebration of national champions.

Conurban

Conurban

Training focuses on film and audiovisual industries

Training focuses on film and audiovisual industries

Distributed High-End Audio-Visual Content Creation: An Experience Report

In the recent years the world has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in the global audio-visual industry and actions have been initiated to strengthen its actors, especially in filmmaking and video production. Companies seeking ways to improve their performance and productivity and become more competitive are investing in modern digital technologies. High-performance computing systems are found today even in small production facilities. Yet, little effort has been used to implement activities other than production/post-production and even less to integrate the whole cycle of content development and creation within a networked collaborative environment. This paper reports the experience of the DAViD project aiming to establish ways to interact and collaborate during pre-production phases. Several benefits have been demonstrated, such as reduction of the overall production time and cost, increased productivity and increased ability to execute complex, multi-company productions in shorter times and lower budgets.

The Inflow of American Television Fiction on European Broadcasting Channels Revisited

Empirical research in the 1970s and 1980s revealed the dominant position of American fiction on European television, in consequence of which the term `Dallasification of television content' was launched. By the end of the 1990s the situation had not changed drastically. The results of our programme analysis from 1997, in which the origin of films and series on 36 public and commercial channels from six European countries was traced, confirmed (1) the importance of fiction on European television, (2) the dominant position of American fiction and (3) the limited distribution of European fiction in Europe. This is not self-evident considering the efforts of the European Union since the end of the 1980s to counter these tendencies (quota for European productions, support measures for the audiovisual industry). Our findings also clearly confirm the distinction between public and commercial channels, according to which public channels broadcast a wider range of national, non-national European and American fiction. American series cannot touch the popularity of domestic series, which oust the American series in prime-time on both public and commercial channels. The American movie, however, is predominant also in prime-time. US fiction succeeds in breaking through all cultural barriers in Europe, whereas in the distribution of European fiction, language and cultural proximity continues to play a decisive role.

Regulating Communications: British Public Policy Responses to Convergence within the Digital Age

The British Labour government believes that Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) will facilitate future forms of production, services, and investment within the national and global economies. However, it remains unclear how the government can establish the appropriate national regulatory structures through which to supervise the virtual economy. The sector-specific definitions which have existed between the audiovisual and e-commerce industries are less appropriate and, with the expansion of distribution, audiovisual markets are assuming the characteristics of the telecommunications markets. This report will consider British public policy initiatives for the regulation of the converging ICTs and the audiovisual industries. It will pay attention to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) jointly produced 1998 Green Paper Regulating Communications: Approaching Convergence in the Information Age.

“Why should the Audio-Visual Industry pay for the faults in Higher Education?”

“Why should the Audio-Visual Industry pay for the faults in Higher Education?”

Handels- und industriepolitische Eingriffe in die europäische Filmwirtschaft: Eine ökonomische Analyse

Abstract The American dominance in the European film industry has been common for many years. As a response, Europeans have implemented various protectionist measures. By analysing these measures from an economic point of view it is shown that there is no case for government intervention in the audiovisual industry. On the contrary, national and regional subsidisation as well as national quotas are one of the main reasons for the low competitiveness of the European film industry. The direction to go is therefore to remove these protectionist instruments. Thereby the European film industry might become more competitive, although Americans will continue to dominate the European film market. However, this is rather positive, since both consumers and tax payers benefit from a deregulated European film market.

Common Markets: Corporate Ambitions and Communication Trends in the UK and Europe

This article charts 2 parallel movements in the communications sectors of the United Kingdom and Europe: the ascendancy of marketization policies within both the European Union and its major member states and accelerating convergence of the computing, telecommunications, and audiovisual industries. The contradictory character of policy at the European level is examined against the background of assertive pressure from the corporate sector for liberalization of regulatory regimes. Using data primarily from the United Kingdom, the struggle for survival of the public communications sector and the consequential difficulties of communications and social exclusion faced by lower income consumers are examined.

Tackling Identity with Constructionist Concepts

Tackling Identity with Constructionist Concepts

The Ties that Still Bind: Media and National Cultures in Latin America

This paper explores the interaction of the global and the national, beginning with an analysis of the decrease in attention to the impact of global media on Latin American cultures in contemporary political and academic debates. It attributes this decrease to the convergence of three developments: the failure of past experiences with state ownership and control of mass media, optimism about the state of audiovisual industries and cultures, and the rise of a new intellectual sensibility that considers national cultures antithetical to cultural diversity. It then contrasts this view of the national with the resilience of the nation-state and national cultures. In this dual context, it considers national audiovisual policies as instruments to foster political pluralism and cultural diversity.

Introducing ADBS: The [French] Association of Information and Documentation Professionals

Introducing ADBS: The [French] Association of Information and Documentation Professionals

Corporate transformation of the Russian mass media

Since 1991, the print and audiovisual industries in Russia have undergone several changes. Powerful media enterprises are emerging. This article gives an overview of ownership structures in the Russian media; and traces the influence of the economic elite on media operations in the country. Apparently, while there is increasing diversity of ownership forms, state control over the media is still strong, and there is a growing influence of Russian business, especially banks, over media operations.

Australian Television Exports

The reasons for Australia's position as a successful exporter of television programming, mainly focused on local content and culture, is analysed. It is suggested that the 'post-fordist' features of Australian television production are suitable to take advantage of the ongoing transition of the international audiovisual industry from 'fordism' to 'post-fordism'.

Development of the Audiovisual Industry in Brazil from Importer to Exporter of Television Programming

In Latin America at mid-century, the formal media of communication (press, radio, cinema) satisfied the tastes of the colonizing elites for European and American programming, while the informal types of communication (songs, dances, poetry) remained faithful to indigenous local values. In the 1970s, the extension of broadcasting systems created a demand for popular cultural programming. There was also an increase in the regional exchange of programming between Latin American nations. Gradually, Latin American popular programs have begun to co-exist naturally with imported ones. Using Brazil as a case study, the article details some Brazilian networks’ (Globo, Manchete, Bandeirantes) recent success as international exporters of popular genres (telenovelas, popular music), as Latin America begins to overcome its history of cultural dependency.

The European research program for advanced mobile systems

Reviews the European Union Research programs in the area of personal mobile telecommunication systems and their position in the context of European telecommunications research and development. The ACTS program call for proposals was launched in 1994, and proposals are to be submitted by March 1995. This program will provide a unique opportunity for organizations to participate in, and influence, the development of future global third-generation advanced personal mobile communications systems. It is hoped that projects will be actively supported by telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers, service providers, research institutes, universities and leading-edge users. The participation of users reflects the policy that ACTS projects must be user-driven to ensure that the research and development program benefits directly the application of the technology, and ensures that the projects are responsive to user requirements. By their very nature, mobile communications markets are global, which implies that different world regions need to cooperate, particularly in the area of standards development and frequency allocations, to ensure the widespread availability of advanced and affordable wireless services and applications. National and regional borders must be transcended, interconnection of networks, and interoperability of services and applications must he encouraged, all with the objective of ensuring, through the convergence of the telecommunications, computer and audio-visual industries, the enhancement of the quality of life in the mobile information age.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Portuguese Cinema: In the Doldrums of Neglect

The profound transformations of the cinema and audiovisual industries (indeed their growing interdependence) that present new challenges in the 1990s have not as yet provoked a global, coherent response nor, it seems, jarred Portuguese policymakers from their silent policy of disregard. This study shows how, in the doldrums of neglect, the crisis of Portuguese cinema grows ever deeper.

International film, television and video acronyms

The use of acronyms and abbreviations in the film, television, and video industries is constantly increasing; the list seems endless and often baffling, which makes it virtually impossible for one to comprehend what each and every acronym means. This new and original book is a comprehensive international guide to some 3400 film, television, and video acronyms and abbreviations in current use. It not only provides their meaning, but also their corresponding organization's or corporation's aims and objectives, their founding date, their address, and their telephone/fax number. The second section of the book lists over 1400 technical terms and their meanings. Fully indexed, this book provides an essential and much needed reference source for libraries, educational institutions, archives, institutes, and all of those involved in the motion picture and audiovisual industries.

New Zealand Shoots for the Sky

The key aspects of 'Project Blue Sky', an attempt to coordinate the activities of private and public sector organisations for the development of New Zealand's audiovisual production industry are discussed. Its implications for Australia through an increased integration of the New Zealand and Australian film and television markets are analysed.

Development Strategies in the Audiovisual Industries: The Case of North East England

CORNFORD J. and ROBINS K. (1992) Development strategies in the audiovisual industries: the case of North East England, Reg. Studies 26, 421–435. It is only recently that broadcasting and the audiovisual industries have come to figure in urban and regional development strategies. During the 1980s, a number of such strategies have developed in Britain's cities and regions. These have drawn on ideas developed within the flexible specialization hypothesis, centred around the clustering of small firms. This perspective is extremely problematical, however, and more recent developments now make it clear that the dynamic of change is driven by quite other forces. Media development strategies have, in fact, emerged as a consequence of regulatory changes which have sought to open up the British audiovisual industry to competition. While local and regional media development initiatives originally emphasized the centrality of an emerging sector of small, independent production companies, more recently they have place...