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.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 126 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

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 this point, the book uses the Production Code Administration (PCA) records, housed at the Margaret Herrick Library, as a case study. It 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. By providing explanations for structural forces that contributed to the unmade, the book offers a fresh perspective on film history that resonates with scholars interested in film and media history, performance studies, film production, and creative practice, as well as archivists and archival researchers.

The unique approach of using the unmade as an analytic for film history sets this book apart, making it an essential read for those who seek to expand their understanding of the medium. It sheds light on the untold stories and hidden narratives that have shaped the film industry, challenging traditional narratives and providing a more comprehensive understanding of its evolution. As such, this book will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing discourse on film history and inspire future generations of scholars and researchers.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032072487