Digital Disruption and its Implications in Generating ‘Impact’ through Film and Television Practice-as-Research

Both research funding bodies and the Research Excellence Framework (REF) are increasingly looking at ‘impact’ as an important measure of project success. For those involved in film or television practice-as-research, demonstrating impact beyond the academy and measuring ‘reach’ has often been considered through the public visibility of their projects. Yet, even for industry professionals it is becoming more difficult to reach target audiences due to the disruption caused by the emergence of on-demand distribution. This has resulted in reduced access to theatrical and broadcast exhibition and led to new challenges in gaining visibility in an increasingly crowded market space that affects commercial and academic projects alike. This paper considers issues faced by professional independent producers in this disrupted environment and examines strategies that have been developed to succeed within it. We argue that lessons learned by independent producers can be adapted by academics involved in film or television practice-as-research to enhance visibility of their own projects and demonstrate ‘impact’.