Year 12 Media Studies Institution and Audiences British Cinema – Funding

Year 12 Media StudiesInstitution and Audiences

British Cinema – Funding

http://mediadepartment.king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk

Film Industry Funding

There are two major models of funding:

The Hollywood ModelThe European Model


The Hollywood Model

Emphasis on industry (money) over art

Major companies undertake production, distribution and exhibition

Large number of studios “churning out” films for profit


The Hollywood Model

Mass production means high grossing blockbusters can support less successful filmsMost of the large distributors in the UK are American owned: 20th Century FoxWarner BrothersBuena Vista


The Hollywood Model

These American distributors prioritise their own films, especially titles with big budgets and big starsAll the profits go back into the American film industry


The Hollywood Model

The American Film Industry is, therefore, self-sustainable (it doesn’t need money from anywhere else)The Hollywood film industry attracts the largest possible audience (“mass appeal”; “bums on seats”)


The European Model

State subsidised (money guaranteed by the Government)Money generated through taxes


The European Model

European countries do this to ensure films are made in their own language and to reflect the country’s social and cultural concernsThese films are extremely popular at home but rarely export successfully – why?


There are exceptions…

Films of famous European auteurs such as;Pedro Almodovar (Spain); Jean-Pierre Jeunet (France); Tom Tykwer (Germany); Guiseppe Tornatore (Italy); Kieslowski (Poland) are popular both at home and abroad


The British Film Industry

Funding of the British Film Industry fits neither of these modelsIn the past, very little money from Government – the industry has been expected to be self-sufficient and survive commercially on its own



Major British cinema production companies such as Palace and Goldcrest went bust in the 1980s after a series of disasters at the box officeAs a result, the British Film Industry almost collapsed



Channel 4 was instrumental in keeping the industry afloat during this timeThe BBC and Working Title, along with Channel 4 and Film 4, have been responsible for rebuilding the British Film Industry



The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is responsible for film in this countryIn 2000, the Labour Government established the UK Film Council, attempting to create a healthy, competitive UK market



The UK Film Council receives money from the DCMS and from the National Lottery FundThis has been a huge benefit to the industry but Britain receives less Government subsidy than other European countries



Many British film makers and production companies opt for co-productions with American and European companiesBritish film also benefits from a healthy export market abroad


To do…

Devise a visual metaphor to explain the different funding models – you can draw, find images etc



Carry out some research on the UK Film Council…


Documents

Year 12 Media Studies Institution and Audiences British Cinema – Funding