Documentary: A Perspective Of Political Economy

Since 1990s, Chinese documentary has obtained great boom. Some documentary-makers have well up, and always win some international awards. But on the turn of 2000, when Chinese market-oriented economy has being deeply, entirely developed, the market of documentary has declined. In the time of mass communication, the boom of documentary is dependent on the size of its audience. Modern society become more hurly and fickle, and the thythm of life become quicker and quicker. People's ideas of culture-consumption have changed greatly, too. Those mentioned above have influenced the condition of Chinese documentary, resulting in that documentary has to face up market.We should establish market idea in our minds. As an art, documentary can also be a cultural merchandise. The trend that documentary going into market is not in conflict with the burden and responsibility with which documentary is charged. The other way round, they can supple and advance each other. To adapted itself to market is the only way for Chinese documentary to development. Although, documentary as merchandise may lose many individualized qualities which are worthy of most in documentary, documentary will has no base of audience and flat-roof of communication, leading to smaller influence and size of audience. To establish market mechanism is the key to realize new jump and span of Chinese documentary.Market consciousness will also accelerate transformation of our idea ofdocumentary-making. But if this consciousness come true really, it is absolutely necessary to achieve the innovation of management mechanism.Chinese documentary's development from 1980s , its boom and jump from 1990s and plight and "tableland" confronted on the century turn, are all without exception in relation to Chinese management mechanism of documentary. To analyze Chinese management mechanism of documentary and carry out innovation, is crucial to Chinese documentary's continuing development and new jump.The dissertation is divided into five chapters as following: Chapter 1 Basic TheoryIn this chapter, a horizon of theory named political economy is provided. The writer analyzes the applicability and necesariness of using political economy and political economy of communication to documentary research.Chapter 2 The Status Quo of Documentary MarketDocumentary is not only production of brains, but also a special cultural commodity. There are two kinds of value within documentary itself, one is social value, the other is economic value. The former we have talked about much, but the latter we have little understanding. In this chapter, the history and status quo of documentary market along with its market environment, bargaining plat-roof, foreground in programs market, are treated thoroughly. Subdivision of channels and management of documentary are also discussed in this chapter.Chapter 3 Documentary Production ResearchIn this chapter, the writer analyzes the causes in production why the market lag in documentary development, and go deep into influence that market ideas imposed on documentary production and changes and development of documentary production ideas.Chapter 4 Documentary-making Management ResearchIn this chapter, writer figure out the status quo of documentary management, expound its reform and innovation, analyze columnization of documentary entirely,Chapter 5 EpilogueTo expound the divarication and controversy and amalgamation in development between political economy of communication and cultural studies. And generalize this dissertation's significance and inspiration it can put up for Chinese documentary. To finger out its limitation and deficiency.