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July 20, 2011

A Return to China

Jason E. Squire lectures at Beijing Film Academy

SCA Professor Jason E. Squire’s teachings have touched almost every aspect of the entertainment industry. His former pupils are executives, writers, technicians and all other types of storytellers in the film industry. This summer, Squire’s influence broadened internationally when he travelled to Beijing to teach classes for Chinese and multi-national industry professionals at the Beijing Film Academy.

Jason E. Squire at the Beijing Film Academy

His presentation, "Inside the Movie Business" was part of "The International Training Workshop of TV and Movie Industry Financial Investment." Participants included chairmen, presidents and directors of investment and media companies.

“If you think the level of intensity is high in film school, over there, it’s something else,” said Squire. “It never stops. The interest in education is stimulating and the class attracts executives from film, advertising, even real estate. They have established careers but spend their entire weekend studying the film industry.”

Squire’s visit coincided with publication of the Chinese translation of The Movie Business Book International Third Edition, published by China Film Press (CFP) and translated by scholars of Beijing Film Academy under the jurisdiction of Dean of Management Professor Yu Jianhong.

Students at the Beijing Film Academy

“This third edition has been well received because there is an interest to compete in the global market,” Squire continued. “My sense is that global demand is driving the trend. There is no longer a single center of talent. Every region can make wonderful local films and many of those films are attempting to compete in the larger global marketplace.”

The book is first in a new "Film and Television Management Series" published by CFP. Dean Yu and the translators posed wearing SCA caps in front of Beijing Film Academy's "Wall of Honor" where Squire was asked to sign the Wall alongside many prominent alumni.

Professor Jason E. Squire signs the Wall of Honor

This is Squire’s fourth academic invitation to Asia in as many years. He was Guest Lecturer at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Guangzhou (2010); at Tokyo University of Technology (2009); at the Shanghai International Film Festival (2007); and at the Cass Business School, City University, London (2006).

Squire is teaching several classes in the Fall semester including CTPR 460 Film Business Procedures and Distribution, CTPR 386 Art and Industry of Theatrical Film, CTPR 495 Internships in Cinematic Arts and CTWR 412 Introduction to Screenwriting.