A reminder of the following CFP: *Distributors, Discs and Disciples: Exploring the Home Media Renaissance* > > > *23rd May 2015, University of Worcester* > > > *Rationale:* > > > Distribution is often been seen as the “invisible link” in the media > industry, in terms of facilitating how films, television shows and other > texts reach audiences. The rise of digital platforms, such as online rental > services and bit torrents, recently changed this view and digital > distribution is the focus of several recent publications. However, there > has not been a mass shift towards purely digital media, and physical media > releases are still sought out by fans and consumers. Special editions and > box-sets for DVDs and Blu-Rays are frequently hyped up on social media, and > from many countries around the world. Past formats also make for > collectible items, such as VHS, Laserdisc, and HD-DVD. Terminology related > to physical media hugely affects perceptions of exhibition and consumption, > such as ‘box-sets’, ‘binge-watching’, and ‘marathon’. > > > > Distributors have been recognised as the ones making all this possible. > Media distribution labels often promote their own actions; or their actions > are reported on by critics and journalists; or fans and consumers directly > respond to their releases and related activities. Such activity takes place > within a variety of contexts – from film festivals to conventions and Q&A > sessions; from social media, to dedicated websites and themed public > attractions. This also occurs in relation to a variety of media texts – > from newer releases to older titles; from films previously unavailable, to > those regularly watched and celebrated by many. > > > > The result of the raising of the profile of distributors has been a Home > Media Renaissance. This exists not only as an alternative to online digital > media exhibition options, but as one that occurs alongside them. In > addition to the recent academic study of legitimate and illegitimate > methods of online downloading and streaming, the simultaneous desire to own > physical media is prevalent. > > > > The aim of this symposium is to discuss and debate how and why > distributors are becoming so prolific in an increasingly digital age. Is > this activity a reaction to shifts towards downloading and streaming? Are > consumers increasingly attracted to these forms of media, or are > distributors desperate to maintain their interest? Can it last? > > > > Case studies and observations of particular titles are encouraged – > whether they are films, television shows, or other media – and concern a > particular genre, national context, authorship figure, or other > categorisation. This can take the shape of a 20 minute paper, or a shorter > presentation – for example, as part of a panel of lightning talks or > speed-geeking. > > > > Other potential topics could cover, but are not limited to: > > > > - > > Distribution Labels > - > > Home Media Formats > - > > Exhibition Methods > - > > Consumption Habits > - > > Fandom (e.g. social media, blogs, communities and groups, etc) > - > > Marketing and Promotion > - > > Creativity and Production within Distribution and Marketing > - > > Critical Reception and Other Reactions > - > > Awards and Recognition > > > > *All topics proposed will also be eligible for inclusion within an edited > collection. The subject of the symposium has already gained early interest > from some publishers.* > > > > Proposals should be sent via email to [log in to unmask] Proposals > should be no more than 200 words, with a brief biographical statement (100 > words) attached. The deadline for these is 30th January 2015. Decisions > of acceptance will be sent out by the end of February/early March. There > will be the opportunity to extend the length of the symposium, and > potentially host it at a different location, depending on the number of > proposals. > > > > Dr Jonathan Wroot > Sessional Lecturer, Film Studies, > Institute of Humanities and Creative Arts, > University of Worcester. > PhD awarded by UEA > Email: [log in to unmask] > http://worc.academia.edu/JonathanWroot > > > ---- Learn to speak like a film/TV professor! Listen to the ScreenLex podcast: http://www.screenlex.org