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Film and Television Law (LAWS70080)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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The world‘s first feature-length film was thought to have been produced in Australia in 1906. The Story of the Kelly Gang told the story of Australia‘s most infamous bushrangers and received distribution in Britain and New Zealand as well as in Australia. From 1906 onwards, Australian films and television programs such as Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Castle, Shine and The Sullivans have helped to define the particular cultural identity of Australians. This subject explores the issues associated with the production, financing and distribution of such films and television programs, with particular reference to feature films and sport and drama television programming. The lecturer in the subject has been an in-house counsel at an Australian television network and this experience adds to the practical relevance of the subject.
Principal topics include:
- Introduction to the changing landscape of the film and television industries in Australia and internationally
- Copyright clearance issues
- Moral rights
- Breach of confidence and privacy
- Sport on television
- Film financing, production and distribution
- Australian content regulation and the production of drama programming
- Production and broadcast of advertising on television
- Music: Use in film and television programming
- Distribution and merchandising of film and television programming
- Employment and contractual arrangements for film and television personalities
- Copyright and other rights in television formats.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the legal principles related to the development, production, financing and distribution of Australian films and television programs (including recent developments in this field of law and practice) (“those Legal Principles”)
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of those Legal Principles
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding the contractual, copyright and financing issues that arise in relation to the production, financing and distribution of film and television programs and advertisements
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of the issues that arise in relation to the financing and distribution of film and television programs and advertisements
- Have an advanced understanding of the relationship between the legal issues that arise and the commercial environment in which Australian films and televisions programs are produced, financed and distributed
- Have a detailed understanding of the law and its impact on the Australian film and television industry as it relates to the production, financing and distribution of film and television programs and advertisements
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to film and television law and to critically evaluate existing legal principles and concepts with creativity and autonomy
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding film and television law to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of film and television law.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Melbourne Law Masters Students: None
JD Students: Successful completion of the below subject:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Class participation (10%)
- Take-home examination (5,000-6,000 words) (90%) (25 - 28 May)
or - Research paper (9,000 words) (90%) (4 July) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2019
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a first come, first served basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public and International Law Course Master of Commercial Law Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in Communications Law Course Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022