Twin Film Phenomenon

Lauren Rosewarne is an Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her most recent research centers on understanding the politics, economics and emotions underpinning film and television production. For more information: www.laurenrosewarne.com.

Lauren Rosewarne’s The Twin Film Phenomenon offers a compelling exploration of films that cover the same material and are released closely in time. Rather than an encyclopedic approach, the author addresses how and why this twinning phenomenon occurs through study of ample texts. Readers will be drawn to the diversity of film examples chosen from across time, genre, and culture as well as the book's emphasis on production, reception, and close textual study.Elyce Rae Helford, Professor of English, Middle Tennessee State UniversityWith great energy and enthusiasm, Lauren Rosewarne examines the strange but common phenomenon of twin films – films that are remarkably similar and released at nearly the same time. Using a range of critical lenses, from coincidence to personal and personnel connections, via the economy and various zeitgeists, The Twin Film Phenomenon rigorously explores the reasons for these cinematic brothers (and sisters!) from another mother, expanding the understanding of filmic repetitions and questioning originality in cinema. This book will change how readers think about films and their connections to each other!Jonathan Evans, Reader in Translation Studies, University of GlasgowIn this excellent book, Lauren Rosewarne focuses on the issue/occurrence of twinning in film and television productions with a focused presentation on a variety of shows. Deploying an extensive interdisciplinary knowledge of film and social processes, Rosewarne offers a compelling account of the mechanics of film/tv production and consumption. Her examination of the twin phenomenon in contemporary media further offers an overview of the various scholarly conversations and arguments concerning adaptation, originality, and copying in the industry. With this cogently argued analysis that is supported by relevant and extensive source work, Rosewarne demonstrates, once again, the breadth of both her analytical mastery and her insight into media texts.Linda Belau, Professor, Department of Literature and Cultural Studies, The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley

• Introduction: Identifying, Labeling and Analyzing Film and TV Twins 1. Coincidence 2. Economics 3. The Industry 4. Storytelling 5. The Social Zeitgeist 6. The Political Zeitgeist 7. The Real World 8. Theft 9. The Personal and Personnel. Conclusion. Bibliography. Media References