The British Film Industry LO: To identify key issues within the British Film

industryLO: To evaluate whether the British Film industry is

popular with audiences

Thursday 26th March 2009

Thinking question: Why have a British film industry?

Who does what in the British Film Industry?

Aims to support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image

An independent, non-governmental body which classifies and censors film, video as well as computer and console-based games released in the UK.

The official UK agency for international cultural relations. Its Film Department promotes new British films (features and shorts), internationally principally through festivals and showcases. Portal site britfilms.com

Promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture.

Government backed lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.

Main British Production Companies

Can you name films by these production companies?

Ext: Who dominates the

UK film industry?

• USEFUL INFORMATION:

• To qualify as a British film, it needs to meet three of the following six criteria:

• A British Director • A British Producer • A predominantly 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' (

www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/)

• Co-productions with British input count as British films.

How do British films attract audiences?

Ext: How are they distinct from Hollywood blockbusters?

This research uncovered an audience typology that helped to inform the department’s ongoing audience development activities. Briefly, the cinema types uncovered were as follows:

Mainstream: unlikely ever to view anything other than major ‘Hollywood’ style blockbusters.

Mainstream plus: generally mainstream, but apt to see less mainstream films on a few occasions.

Aficionados: tend to view a mix of films, including major foreign language titles, and can be encouraged to become even more adventurous in their viewing choices.

Film Buffs1: eschew mainstream films in favour of more extreme, esoteric, challenging and difficult subject matter (specialised) films.

AUDIENCE TYPES

Weekend 20 Mar - 22 Mar 2009 UK box office – audience consumption

Rank Title Country of Origin Weekend Gross

1 Marley & Me USA £2,166,270

2 Paul Blart: Mall Cop USA £1,289,513

3 Duplicity USA £796,244

4 Lesbian Vampire Killers UK £648,634

5 Watchmen USA/Can £594,510

6 Gran Torino USA £484,808

7 Slumdog Millionaire UK £416,356

8 The Young Victoria UK £387,399

9 Bolt USA £201,250

10 Bronson UK £161,880

11 Confessions of a Shopaholic USA £158,414

12 The Unborn USA £126,630

13 Hotel for Dogs USA/Ger £119,041

14 The Age of Stupid UK £101,752

15 Il Divo Ita/Fra £71,952

  Total   £7,724,653

Questions for Box Office results

• What do these box office figures tell us about the British Film industry?

Consider:Country of originDistributorsGross profit

HOMEWORKCase Study Article

• How is the British Film industry responding to audience consumption?

• Think in terms of Producers and Audiences…

Facts in focus

• UK cinema admissions reached 162 million, up 4% on 2006.• Box office receipts were £821 million, up 8% on 2006.• 516 films were released for a week or more in the UK and Republic of Ireland, an increase of 2% on 2006 and 58% more than in 1998.• UK films, including co-productions, accounted for 21% of releases and 29% of the market by value, up 10% on last year.• The top 100 films earned almost 91% of the gross box office, 2% more than in 2006.

• UK films are films made by British companies and shot wholly or partly in the UK and/or films that qualify as British under Schedule 1 of the Films Act 1985 or under one of the UK's official co-production treaties.

• 3.2 Schedule 1 (UK film) certifications• Schedule 1 films are films certified as British

under Schedule 1 of the Films Act 1985. Under the old rules, the main qualifying criterion was 70% UK spend, but films commencing principal photography

• on or after 1 January 2007 have been required to pass a UK Cultural Test emphasising UK elements in the story, setting and characters (see UKFC website for full details of the Cultural Test).

CULTURAL TEST• Cultural Test Points

• Cultural Content• A1 Film set in the UK A2 Lead characters British citizens or residents

A3Film based on British subject matter or underlying material• A4 Original dialogue recorded mainly in English language• Cultural Contribution• Film represents/reflects a diverse British culture, • British heritage or British creativity• Cultural Hubs C1Studio and/or location shooting/ Visual Effects/ Special

Effects C2Music Recording/Audio Post Production/Picture Post Production • Cultural Practitioners• Director, Scriptwriter Producer Composer Lead Actors Majority of Cast

Key Staff (lead cinematographer, lead production designer, lead costume designer, lead editor, lead sound designer, lead visual effects supervisor, lead hair and makeup supervisor) Majority of Crew

• TOTAL ALL SECTIONS (pass mark 16)31

How dominant is British Film in the industry?

• Look at the box office figures:

• What can they tell us about British Film?