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The British film industry: blog tasks

 The British film industry: blog tasks 


Factsheet #132: British Film

A film would be defined as British if it is produced, directed or shot in Britain. Also if the cast is predominantly British 

Hollywood produced films tend to have a very large budget and a large production set. They typically have a cast that includes well known celebrities that engage the audience through star power. Similarly, British production could also have a large production budget. However, their films usually reflect British culture and values

The James Bond franchise started in the 1960s 

There was a rise in sexual content being used in British film in the 70s; both the act of sec and sex linked to violence. An example of this is seen in A Clockwork Orange (1971).

Teenagers: 
Young people are portrayed in the film A Clockeork orange (1971). The focus in this film is on violence, anti-establishment and a compulsion to act in an anarchic way. Theseset values that are given to the youthful antagonist of film is also seen in the movie Eden Lake (2008). 

Women:
The representation of women in British film has gone through changes over the years with common stereotyping of women as either, the virgin, the mother or the whore. Complex female characters in film have appeared in early British Film, however these were always seen as extraordinary

The main characteristics that may be appealing to a British audience would be revolve around the fact that they allow british audiences to have persona identity to the films they are watching. These characteristics may be; the use of British actors, British locations or the social and educational life in Britain. 

Factsheet #100: British film industry

The cultural test is used to see if a movie should be considered as British. This list includes checkpoints such as; if the film is set in the UK, if he lead characters are British citizens, and if the film is based on a British subject matter. 

The cultural test:

The Sweeney (2012) 
Financing: £2 million. 
Cultural Test: 23

Attack the Block (2012)
Financing:£4.1 million 
Cultural Test: 25

The King's Speech(2012)
Financing: $15 million. 
Cultural Test: 17

We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
Financing: $7 million. 
Cultural Test: 9 

Skyfall(2012)
Financing: $150-200 million 
Cultural Test: 16

The main problem faced by the British film industry is that the industry has been production led rather than distribution led. This means that many UK films are made but, in order to get the film exhibited, the filmmakers have to sacrifice the distribution rights by selling the film to a distribution company. Once sold, all revenue from cinema screenings, DVD and Blu-ray sales, plus sales to television companies, are lost.

Three strengths of the British film industry: 
  • Outstanding creative skills of practitioners 
  • Outstanding facilities 
  • British film take 5% of world box office takings 
The British film industry could choose to rely on coproductions with American companies. Or they could make low budget films that are targeted at a niche, British audience. 

I believe that the option of relying on coproductions with American companies would be the best option in terms of safeguarding the future of British Film industry. However, i would not oppose to small, niche, British film also

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