The British Film Industry

L.O to identify key issues within the British film industry.

L.O to evaluate whether the British film industry is more popular than others.

BBFC

The British Board Film Classification – The people that give certificates to films like U, PG, 12 etc. The ideal rating certificate is PG, PG12.

BFI

The British Film Institute

 
BAFTA

They give out BAFTA awards to actors actresses, film companies etc.

 
British Council – Government backed lead agency for films in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented.

 
Big British Film companies – Film 4, Working title, Momentum Pictures, Pathe, Film Network.

All you need is three of these things to make it a British film:

·         A British Director

·         A British Producer

·         A Predominately British cast

·         A British production company

·         A subject matter that informs on the British experience

·         British identity defined by the BFI in sight and sound

·         Co – production with British input count as British films

Mainstream – Big summer blockbusters

Mainstream plus – Big summer blockbusters and smaller Hollywood films

Aficionados – Foreign language films with subtitles. The watchers can be encouraged to be more adventurous. Includes Sky etc.

Film Buffo1 – People who watch specialised films.

September is the time when you should put your films out in the cinema because summer is for the big Hollywood films and Christmas for classics.

 

 

American Influence - Variety Links

1.   Why has Sony opened a Digital Motion Picture Centre at Pinewood studios? The reason that Sony have opened the Digital Motion Picture Centre at Pinewood is so that they can provide hands on training for cinematographers and other crew members to help them get the most out of the Sony 4K cameras.

2.   What benefit might this have for the British film industry? It will benefit because it means people will have more skill. Also it will play a role in helping Sony collect some ideas from the cinematographers for some future product development. This will help them work more closely with the industry itself by providing a venue to support events and host a broad range of film biz organisations.

3.   Where else have they opened facilities like this? Pinewood Studios have also opened some similar facilities at Culver City in L.A. These practically mirror the UK facilities. The L.A Pinewood DMPC has helped train more than 1,000 professionals in 4K workflows. These include Beijing and Mumbai.

4.   How many films have been produced using the F65 camera? 30 feature films have been produced with the of an F65 camera. These films include things like Oblivion and After Earth staring Will and Jaden Smith.

5.   What has been the consequence of Blockbusters to US film production? The consequence that Blockbusters have received from US film productions is that they are losing money. This is from lack of interest. The main problem is that investors are looking for a bigger blockbusters at the same time as they yearn for reduced costs

6.   How big a loss to Sony expect to post?

7.   Which films are responsible for this?

8.   How is Lionsgate different to Sony? Lionsgate actually have no physical studio and Sony does so that’s a main difference.

9.   Why is "the new mandate to avoid niche products'? They are to avoid niche products because the niche is getting narrower and strategists have argued for diversification.