The Export of Fantasy
Researcher(s) (other)
Ann Leysen
Supervisors (CIMS)
Co-Supervisors (other)
Philippe Meers (UA)
Funded by
Gent University Research Fund/BOF
Presentation
The research project The Export of Fantasy has a historical and contemporary approach. First, the project focuses on the launch and the reception of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King . The Working Group Film and Television Studies at the Ghent University (Department of Communication Sciences) takes part in this international research project together with more than 10 other countries (Great-Britain, USA, Germany, China, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New-Zealand,…) and is coordinated by professor Martin Barker of the University of Wales. The main focus of the research lies on ‘media hypes’ that surround the release of new Hollywood movies. Further research includes an analysis of the launch of new movies (promotional strategies applied by the studios and distributors,…), film reviews and media coverage, a survey and a qualitative reception study. Secondly, we focus on the blockbuster-phenomenon, where we systematically use a historical approach regarding the launch and reception of blockbusters like North by Northwest, Jaws, Rocky, A Bridge too Far, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Silence of the Lambs, Titanic, The Matrix, Spider-Man and Finding Nemo.