MITIGATING RISK is a research paper undertaken by Matthew Hancock as part of the Master of Arts program at AFTRS in collaboration with Screen Australia. The paper presents an argument for why the Australian film industry should do more adaptations than they currently do. Hancock conducted research on Australian films made between 1999 and 2008, finding that adaptations are less of a risk than original films, being up to three times more likely to return money at the box office.
Research shows that 70% of Hollywood’s film output is adaptation, the UK’s is around 50%, while the rate in Australia is only 19%. There has been a declining trend from one-in-three released in the 1920′s to less than one-in-five since 1999. Hancock examines the reasons why this is so and looks at the box office results for adaptations, arguing why the development rates of adaptations in Australia should be increased to achieve diversity, stability and financial success.
Matthew Hancock is currently Assistant Manager, Strategy and Research at Screen Australia, the Federal Government’s primary support agency for screen content. Prior to this he was Senior Analyst with Mediascape, a private research firm measuring the impact of print and broadcast media on community perception of public policy. He holds Arts and Masters degrees in media production and education as well as a Graduate Certificate in screen business administration.
