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on Cultural Economics |
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Issue of 2024‒04‒08
two papers chosen by Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Michalopoulos, S; Rauh, C. |
| Abstract: | Why are certain movies more successful in some markets than others? Are the entertainment products we consume reflective of our core values and beliefs? These questions drive our investigation into the relationship between a society’s oral tradition and the financial success of films. We combine a unique catalog of local tales, myths, and legends around the world with data on international movie screenings and revenues. First, we quantify the similarity between movies’ plots and traditional motifs employing machine learning techniques. Comparing the same movie across different markets, we establish that films that resonate more with local folklore systematically accrue higher revenue and are more likely to be screened. Second, we document analogous patterns within the US. Google Trends data reveal a pronounced interest in markets where ancestral narratives align more closely with a movie’s theme. Third, we delve into the explicit values transmitted by films, concentrating on the depiction of risk and gender roles. Films that promote risk-taking sell more in entrepreneurial societies today, rooted in traditions where characters pursue dangerous tasks successfully. Films portraying women in stereotypical roles continue to find a robust audience in societies with similar gender stereotypes in their folklore and where women today continue being relegated to subordinate positions. These findings underscore the enduring influence of traditional storytelling on entertainment patterns in the 21st century, highlighting a profound connection between movie consumption and deeply ingrained cultural narratives and values. |
| Keywords: | Movies, Folklore, Culture, Values, Entertainment, Text Analysis, Media |
| JEL: | N00 O10 P00 Z10 Z11 |
| Date: | 2024–03–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:2412&r=cul |
| By: | Andres, Raphaela; Rossi, Michelangelo; Tremblay, Mark |
| Abstract: | In the past decade, the Creator Economy has witnessed unprecedented growth. This dynamic ecosystem thrives on a multi-sided business model, connecting content creators, users, and advertisers. However, matching the needs of different stakeholders is a complex challenge, as evidenced by the impact of the YouTube 'Adpocalypse' in 2017, when major advertisers fled Youtube due to concerns about their ads appearing alongside objectionable content. This paper explores the response by content creators that use both Youtube and Patreon to YouTube's content moderation policies following the 'Adpocalypse'. We find that these content creators shift their efforts toward Patreon which uses a subscription fee model instead of an ad-based model; as a result, consumers subsequently increase their use of Patreon through memberships, comments, and likes. However, we also find that Youtube's content moderation, and the shift by content creators and consumers that follows, results in an increase in toxicity on Patreon. |
| Keywords: | Patreon, Platform Competition, Multi-homing, Content Creators |
| JEL: | L10 L20 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:283579&r=cul |