Unproduction Studies and the American Film Industry

Unproduction Studies is a radical discipline that explores the unmade and unreleased films to uncover a shadow history of the American film industry. It uses archival methods to construct a shadow history that recovers forgotten, marginalized, and overlooked figures, providing explanations for structural forces that contributed to the unmade. This book is essential for scholars, archivists, and archival researchers interested in film and media history, performance studies, film production, and creative practice.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 126 pages
\n Publication date: 10 August 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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This book makes a compelling case for the study of unproduced films, those that have never been made, seen, or released, as a revolutionary discipline with the potential to reveal a hidden chapter in the history of the American film industry. James Fenwick, in his exploration of archival methods for this endeavor, argues that a revisionist history is necessary to understand the logic of the film industry. He reveals that for decades, the industry has been built on a system of unmade creativity, where finances, resources, and labor are invested in projects that production companies know will never be produced or have no intention of ever producing.

To illustrate his point, the book uses the Production Code Administration (PCA) records, housed at the Margaret Herrick Library, as a case study. Through meticulous analysis of these records, the book delves into the material existence of the unmade and considers how archives and archival methods can be employed to construct a shadow history that reclaims the forgotten, marginalized, and overlooked figures in film history. It provides explanations for structural forces that have contributed to the unmaking of these films, shedding light on the complex interplay between industry, politics, and cultural trends.

What sets this book apart is its unique approach to film history, using the unmade as an analytic lens. By focusing on films that never materialized, the book offers a fresh perspective on the industry and challenges traditional narratives. It will be of immense interest to scholars and researchers in film and media history, performance studies, film production, creative practice, as well as archivists and archival researchers. The book provides valuable insights into the hidden histories of the film industry and offers a rich resource for future research and exploration.

\n Weight: 300g\n
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781032072210\n \n