How Uncertainty and Risk Management Impacts the Success of Spanish Film Projects

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of risk project management offilm productions on the success of the release of motion picture films. Bylooking at the production of three Spanish films, the paper analyzes the challenges that producers face throughout the various stages of a filmproject. It specifically focuses on management’s approach to the uncertainty that may arise during the development stage of the project.Four distinct uncertainty types are identified: variation uncertainty, foreseen uncertainty, unforeseen uncertainty, and chaos. The paper shows how the appearance of different types of uncertainty requiresproducers to adjust their management style, and how appropriate or inappropriate actions have an impact on the likelihood of an overall successful release of a motion picture.

Key Words:

• project management
• project process
• uncertainty
• risk management
• motion pictures industry