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Manchester’s Film and Television Industry: Project Ecologies and Network Hierarchies

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  • Jennifer Johns

    (Department of Geography, University of Liverpool, Roxby Building, Chatham Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L69 7ZT, UK, j.johns@liverpool.ac.uk)

Abstract

This paper presents a film and television production system theoretically framed using a network approach. The organisation and geographies of production are examined using the notion of project ecologies to incorporate non-firm actors including freelance individuals. Empirical findings from quantitative and qualitative data collection in Manchester are used to illustrate different hierarchical networks within and between production stages. The paper argues that inherent multiscalar network inequalities impact on the capacity for the film and television industry in Manchester to secure financing and distribution, and on the organisational logics of production.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Johns, 2010. "Manchester’s Film and Television Industry: Project Ecologies and Network Hierarchies," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(5), pages 1059-1077, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:47:y:2010:i:5:p:1059-1077
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009353628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Manning, Stephan, 2017. "The rise of project network organizations: Building core teams and flexible partner pools for interorganizational projects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8), pages 1399-1415.
    2. Gary Cook & Jennifer Johns, 2011. "The Transformation of Broadcasting and Film in Manchester and Liverpool," Chapters, in: Charlie Karlsson & Robert G. Picard (ed.), Media Clusters, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Andrea Caragliu & Camilla Lenzi & Selyf Morgan, 2013. "Development dynamics within creative media industries: the case of television and digital media in Wales," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(4), pages 385-400, November.

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