Abstract
Besides a pure location policy, film subsidies are often justified with a contribution to artistic film quality and the diversity of the film supply. Selection committees deciding on film grants consist, to a large extent, of industry veterans who tend to prefer projects that seem familiar to them. In this study, we have drawn on the concepts of homophily and network theory to systematically study the impact of film subsidies in two empirical studies conducted in Germany. First, we had conducted interviews with film producers about their experiences while applying for a film grant and how this has changed over time. The results suggest an inter-organizational isomorphism resulting from a reproduction of norms and judgements. One mechanism at work here might be newcomers’ adjustments and the self-affirmation of veteran producers. Second, we had conducted a network analysis to assess how being connected to others, particularly members of a funding committee, affects a grant sum for a film. The more a film crew is connected to other industry professionals, the higher the amount of funding received; the presence of a former, current or future committee member on a film crew also enhances the sum. We conclude that the way German film funding is designed does not promote innovation or diversity as policy goals but serves as a means of self-reproduction of industry standards.
© 2022 Intellect Ltd
Article metrics loading...
/content/journals/10.1386/macp_00055_1
2022-03-01
2024-03-28
Full text loading...
References
-
Abramo,
G.,,
D’Angelo,
C. A., and
Solazzi,
M.. (
2011;), ‘
The relationship between scientists’ research performance and the degree of internationalization of their research. ’,
Scientometrics,
86:
3, pp.
629–
43,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-010-0284-7. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Adler,
P. S., and
Kwon,
S.-W.. (
2002;), ‘
Social capital: Prospects for a new concept. ’,
Academy of Management Review,
27:
1, pp.
17–
40,
https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2002.5922314. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Blair,
H.. (
2001;), ‘
“You’re only as good as your last job”: The labour process and labour market in the British film industry. ’,
Work, Employment & Society,
15:
1, pp.
149–
69,
https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170122118814. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Cattani,
G., and
Ferriani,
S.. (
2008;), ‘
A core/periphery perspective on individual creative performance: Social networks and cinematic achievements in the Hollywood film industry. ’,
Organization Science,
19:
6, pp.
824–
44,
https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1070.0350. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Caves, R. E.. ( 2000), Creative Industries: Contracts between Art and Commerce, Cambridge, MA:: Harvard University Press;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Chun,
W. H. K.. (
2018;), ‘
Queerying homophily: Muster der Netzwerkanalyse. ’,
Zeitschrift für Medienwissenschaft,
10:
18-1, pp.
131–
48,
https://doi.org/10.14361/zfmw-2018-0112. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Cohen, J.. ( 1988), Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, , 2nd ed.., Hillsdale, MI:: Erlbaum;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Coleman, J. S.. ( 1990), Foundations of Social Theory, Cambridge, MA:: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press;.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
DiMaggio,
P. J., and
Powell,
W. W.. (
1983;), ‘
The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields. ’,
American Sociological Review,
48:
2, p.
147,
https://doi.org/10.2307/2095101. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Do,
Q.-A.,,
Lee,
Y. T., and
Nguyen,
B. D.. (
2017;), ‘
Directors as connectors: The impact of the external networks of directors on firms. ’,
SSRN Electronic Journal,
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2753836. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Easley, D., and Kleinberg, J.. ( 2010), Networks, Crowds, and Markets: Reasoning about a Highly Connected World, Cambridge:: Cambridge University Press;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Eigler, J.. ( 2009;), ‘ Implikationen staatlicher Filmförderung für unternehmerische Entscheidungen von Produzenten und Produktionsgesellschaften. ’, in M. Hülsmann, and J. Grapp. (eds), Strategisches Management für Film- und Fernsehproduktionen: Herausforderungen, Optionen, Kompetenzen, München:: Oldenbourg;, pp. 181–98.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Gallivan,
M., and
Ahuja,
M.. (
2015;), ‘
Co-authorship, homophily, and scholarly influence in information systems research. ’,
Journal of the Association for Information Systems,
16:
12, pp.
980–
1015,
https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00416. Accessed
18 November 2021.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Granovetter,
M. S.. (
1973;), ‘
The strength of weak ties. ’,
American Journal of Sociology,
78:
6, pp.
1360–
80,
https://doi.org/10.1086/225469. Accessed
18 November 2021.
[Google Scholar]
-
Hundertmark, G., and Saul, L.. (eds) ( 1984), Förderung essen Filme auf: Positionen, Situationen, Materialien, München:: Ölschläger;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Jansen,
C.. (
2005;), ‘
The performance of German motion pictures, profits and subsidies: Some empirical evidence. ’,
Journal of Cultural Economics,
29:
3, pp.
191–
212,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-005-1157-4. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Jansen, D.. ( 2006), Einführung in die Netzwerkanalyse: Grundlagen, Methoden, Forschungsbeispiele, , 3rd ed.., Wiesbaden:: VS Verlag;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Jarothe, S.. ( 1998), Die Filmpolitik der Europäischen Union im Spannungsfeld zwischen nationaler staatlicher Förderung und US-amerikanischer Mediendominanz, Frankfurt am Main:: Peter Lang;.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Knorr, A., and Schulz, C.. ( 2009;), ‘ Filmförderung in Deutschland – zur Problematik eines kulturpolitischen Anspruchs. ’, in D. Wentzel. (ed.), Medienökonomik: Theoretische Grundlagen und ordnungspolitische Gestaltungsalternativen, Stuttgart:: Lucius & Lucius;, pp. 247–76.
[Google Scholar]
-
Kumb, F.. ( 2014), Filmförderung und Subventionskontrolle in Deutschland, Wiesbaden:: Springer VS;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Kürten,
J.. (
2018),
Dominik Graf: ‘Fernsehen gibt mir mehr Freiheiten als die Filmförderung’: Interview, Köln:: Deutsche Welle;,
https://p.dw.com/p/33hMO. Accessed
20 June 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Laakasuo,
M.,,
Rotkirch,
A.,,
van Duijn,
M.,,
Berg,
V.,,
Jokela,
M.,,
David-Barrett,
T.,,
Miettinen,
A.,,
Pearce,
E., and
Dunbar,
R.. (
2020;), ‘
Homophily in personality enhances group success among real-life friends. ’,
Frontiers in Psychology,
11, p.
710,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00710. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Lim,
I.,,
Hagendorff,
J., and
Armitage,
S.. (
2016), ‘
Regulatory connections and public subsidies: Evidence from the banking industry’, working papers in Responsible Banking & Finance 16-007, St Andrews:: University of St Andrews;,
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/business/rbf/workingpapers/RBF16_007.pdf. Accessed
20 June 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Lucca,
D.,,
Seru,
A., and
Trebbi,
F.. (
2014;), ‘
The revolving door and worker flows in banking regulation. ’,
Journal of Monetary Economics,
65, pp.
17–
32,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoneco.2014.05.005. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Maares,
P.,,
Lind,
F., and
Greussing,
E.. (
2021;), ‘
Showing off your social capital: Homophily of professional reputation and gender in journalistic networks on Twitter. ’,
Digital Journalism,
9:
4, pp.
500–
17,
https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2020.1835513. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Mai, M.. ( 2018;), ‘ Filmwirtschaft und Filmförderung. ’, in A. Geimer,, C. Heinze, and R. Winter. (eds), Handbuch Filmsoziologie, Wiesbaden:: Springer VS;.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
McPherson,
M.,,
Smith-Lovin,
L., and
Cook,
J. M.. (
2001;), ‘
Birds of a feather: Homophily in social networks. ’,
Annual Review of Sociology,
27:
1, pp.
415–
44,
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.27.1.415. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
-
Meiseberg,
B.,,
Ehrmann,
T., and
Dormann,
J.. (
2008;), ‘
We don’t need another hero: Implications from network structure and resource commitment for movie performance. ’,
Schmalenbach Business Review,
60:
1, pp.
74–
98,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03396760.
Accessed 18 November 2021.
[Google Scholar]
-
Murray,
D.,,
Siler,
K.,,
Larivière,
V.,,
Chan,
W. M.,,
Collings,
A. M.,,
Raymond,
J., and
Sugimoto,
C. R.. (
2019;), ‘
Author-reviewer homophily in peer review. ’,
bioRxiv,
https://doi.org/10.1101/400515. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Murschetz, P.,, Teichmann, R., and Karmasin, M.. (eds) ( 2017), State Aid for Film: An International Research Handbook, Berlin:: Springer;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Newman,
M. E. J.. (
2003;), ‘
The structure and function of complex networks. ’,
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Review,
45:
2, pp.
167–
256,
https://doi.org/10.1137/S003614450342480. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Packard,
G.,,
Aribarg,
A.,,
Eliashberg,
J., and
Foutzd,
N. Z.. (
2016;), ‘
The role of network embeddedness in film success. ’,
International Journal of Research in Marketing,
33:
2, pp.
328–
42,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2015.06.007. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Pedersen,
J. S.,,
Darmer,
P., and
Mathieu,
C.. (
2013;), ‘
Bureaucracies and judgmental autonomy: Film consultants in a public film institute. ’,
Nordisk Kulturpolitisk Tidsskrift,
16:
1, pp.
68–
89,
https://www.idunn.no/file/pdf/61113181/bureaucracies_and_judgmental_autonomy_-_film_consultants_i.pdf. Accessed
20 June 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Phalen, P. F.,, Ksiazek, T. B., and Garber, J. B.. ( 2016;), ‘ Who you know in Hollywood: A network analysis of television writers. ’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 60:1, pp. 160–70.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
Roth,
L. M.. (
2004b;), ‘
The social psychology of tokenism: Status and homophily processes on Wall Street. ’,
Sociological Perspectives,
47:
2, pp.
189–
214,
https://doi.org/10.1525/sop.2004.47.2.189. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Ruef,
M.,,
Aldrich,
H. E., and
Carter,
N. M.. (
2003;), ‘
The structure of founding teams: Homophily, strong ties, and isolation among US entrepreneurs. ’,
American Sociological Review,
68:
2,
https://doi.org/10.2307/1519766. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
-
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
vom Hofe, O.. ( 2007;), ‘ Alles umsonst. Sie verteilt Millionen. Und die Beschenkten sind unglücklich. Willkommen bei der Deutschen Filmförderung. ’, brand eins, 5, pp. 133–39.
[Google Scholar]
-
von Rimscha, M. B.. ( 2010), Risikomanagement in der Entwicklung und Produktion von Spielfilmen, Wiesbaden:: VS Verlag;.
[Google Scholar]
-
von Rimscha, M. B.. ( 2018;), ‘ Crew network centrality as predictor of film success. ’, in European Communication Research and Education Association: European Communication Conference, Lugano:: Università della Svizzera Italiana;.
[Google Scholar]
-
Wakabayashi,
N.,,
Yamashita,
M., and
Yamada,
J.. (
2009;), ‘
Japanese networks of top-performing films: Repeated teams preserve uniqueness. ’,
Journal of Media Business Studies,
6:
4, pp.
31–
48,
https://doi.org/10.1080/16522354.2009.11073494. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Wiedemann,
T.. (
2020;), ‘
Struggling for legitimate meaning: Agent-structure dynamics in German filmmaking. ’,
International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics,
16:
3, pp.
291–
308,
https://doi.org/10.1386/macp_00030_1. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
Yoo,
Y.,,
Boland,
R. J., and
Lyytinen,
K.. (
2006;), ‘
From organization design to organization designing. ’,
Organization Science,
17:
2, pp.
215–
29,
https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1050.0168. Accessed
8 July 2022.
[Google Scholar]
-
[Google Scholar]
-
von Rimscha,
M. Bjørn. (
2022;), ‘
How subsidies promote a uniform film supply. ’,
International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics,
18:
1, pp.
3–
20,
https://doi.org/10.1386/macp_00055_1
[Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/macp_00055_1