Japanese Networks for Top-Performing Films: Repeated Teams Preserve Uniqueness

Abstract

This paper examines the current Japanese film industry,where it is well known that certain directors and production teams repeatedly work together to produce a series of films that often showhigh economic and artistic performance. Firstly, through historical examination, we describe how these teams shape a stable and long-term community of practice in making unique local films that can hold their own against Hollywood films. Secondly, we explore the collaboration networks of 2443 Japanese filmmakers in 207 films from 1999 to 2004through social network analysis, and find that closeness, strength andclosure of their ties which may shape such communities of practice,function as a special type of social capital for top-performing films with unique and local cinematic taste.

Key Words:

• project management
• social capital
• repeated teams
• communities of practice
• motion pictures