"British Film is going through something of a golden period"
Films such as
- The King's Speech
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
- Johnny English, Reborn
- The Inbetweeners movie
Have been very popular films from the British film industry, and pose as great opportunities for the economy.
Britain has also been a film hub for foreign movie makers, who invested £1bn in 2010. By keeping up the facilities and resources available for film studios in the UK, foreign studios should feel encouraged to base their films here, and the film industry should hopefully make as much money on hosting studios as they do running the studios.
In the UK there is strong support for film making and viewing, with 84% of the population sharing an interest in film and seeing more British films being produced. Many members of the public felt that not enough British films have been shown, and that it's important because it is a huge factor of our culture.
The public believed that the two main factors that make a film British, is the nationality of the cast, and the story of the film. It is also seen that the humor and Reality of British films are two main factors that make a film British.
92% of 16,000 would like to see more British films released and shown in cinemas
Things expected from British film:
58%-entertainment
47%- expression of British attitudes
37%- realistic portrayal of British Life
35%- insight into British History
20%- Ideal British Life
11%- escapism from actual British life
Love film Survey results:
40% British films are of a much better quality than Hollywood movies.
45% same quality
14% thought Hollywood films were better
2011 was most successful year in over two decades,with The King's Speech being the top grossing independent film of all time. The King's Speech and The Inbetweeners Movie combined accounted for almost two thirds of the independent UK films earnings. From January - October British films topped
the box office charts for a total of 20 weeks.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:
- Grossed over £73m, third largest box office hit.
- worldwide takings- £851m
- Franchise earned £440m
- £4.7b worldwide
- UK talent, facilities, location and production quality has created great collaborations with US studios, producing films like Pirates of the Caribbean and X-Men: First Class. Films such as these have all helped the British film industry to grow.
- The film sector has been struggling with the opportunities and issues presented by the "digital age". The film industry have been making the most of the digital age and using it to enhance access and availability of films, maximizing the UK film economy. An idea ranges from Research and development fund for digital innovation and reduce copyright infringement and illegal use.
- The BFI plays key role in enhancing film access for audiences in the digital era, helping to drive industrial growth and assisting film to secure its place in British culture.This means that the BFI will have to work hard to ensure that there is balance between its new responsibilities for industrial policy and growing audience for British films of every kind, including commitment to the development of film culture.
- This is to be shown in both its interventions and policies for spending increased amounts of Lottery money which will be at its disposal.
- To make sure that the UK film sector responds well to the opportunities and challenges of globalization, it is recommended that the BFI takes the lead on developing a strong international strategy for UK film, focusing on combining markets as well as existing ones. The British Film Commission will play a huge role in helping to develop the strategy. It should also aim to increase exports and helping the UK’s sales agents to grow their businesses. To help make a better contribution to development of UK films, producers need to be encouraged to increase investment into their companies.
- The Panel want to see the BFI lead on the development of a British film ‘brand’, by working with distributors and exhibitors in a regular celebration at British Film Week. This would provide audiences across the UK with access to the all British film, giving them wider insight into its qualities.
- In the present economic situation, it is important for public sector bodies led by the BFI to work together to build partnerships and actively seek out further sponsorship deals.
- One prominent message from the review is that the best practice of the Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs), brokered networks of expertise, support and finance for films that would not have existed. Therefore,the lottery based projects have done well from being created at a local level.
- Despite the success of some British hits in the past few years, the audience across the UK still does not see enough British films, in particular, independent British films and very little from the rest of the world. ( not including Hollywood films) This can be seen in the low share of independent British films at the box-office, (5.5%-2001- 2010) The share for foreign films was only 3%.
- As well as audience development, film education has played a very important role in making sure that everyone has the chance to see film across the country. Increasing the knowledge of film among children and younger people, film education can help build the audience of the present and future and an improved understanding of film and it's values.
- Many smaller film distributors struggle to compete with high budget advertisement from bigger production companies. There is also struggle with access to internet download and streaming possibilities as well as tv pay systems. In consequence to this, there may not be such a wide variety of film known to the public, that they are aware of, therefore not so much a variety to choose from.
- The audience are at the heart of the BFI's work, and they have developed recommendations intended to increase audience choice in the UK, and grow the
- demand for British and specialized films across the UK to the help the whole UK film sector. .
- Measures to increase audience access to a wider range of British films are regular throughout the report, with certain recommendations concerning the development of audience and film education.
- The consultation created a strategy that supports new and traditional methods of film watching.
- Audience consumption patterns for films change fast, and
- a present there are some films which cinema are not the right medium and will never get onto screens. These changes should be addressed through the support for innovative distribution to increase consumer choice.
- It also supported that education and learning play a key part in developing the next generation of audiences and filmmakers and in making it central to the life of the UK. Unlike other forms of art, film has to find its place in education and learning programs. This helps audience development and has wide cultural, educational and social benefits. Education in schools can be used to engender greater understanding of the value of intellectual property among young people.
- The panel believes that investment is being made in British films that are not being seen by enough of thee public, and we have one of the world's best film heritage collections still not seen by the British public.
- The panel found need for initiative which brings the industry together to support a campaign for British film, increasing UK audiences and the international reputation of British film. The initiative would deliver significant benefits to audiences and the film industry and would add to stimulating interest in film culture in the UK.
- The panel believes that the BF I should explore developing and launching a British film brand to help raise awareness and build a better proposition for British film at home and abroad. They would also like to see different parts of the film industry collaborate in developing a UK wide project celebrating British film and making it available to all audiences. This could take on the form of 'British Film week' supported by ongoing film days.
- There has been discussion of having 'big screens' as well as 'virtual and small screens' film experiences, in clubs, festivals, 'pop-ups', rural venues or modern cinemas. The BF I need to recognize the cultural and commercial importance of the communal film experience, to offer support to the wide range of rural and remote small-scale venues allowing reach across the UK.Partners in the initiative could include CAVN- (Cross Art form Venues Network), NSA's- (National Screen Agencies).
- The Bfi should also aim to provide direct funding for the coordination of local cinemas and film societies across the UK. Film is seen as a way of drawing communities together and enriching a sense of local identity through locally produced content. Film has a key role in engaging people of all ages and backgrounds and enabling them to address the issues they face.
- On a UK wide network, the BF I should work with exhibitors, regional archives, local communities, and local TV services to enhance social cohesion across the UK, using film as encouragement for creativity and community experience. This will allow local projects to be shared nationwide, so even the most remote places are included. This would connect good practice to support community initiatives. This will provide increased opportunities for people of all backgrounds, especially the economically disadvantaged, to explore film.
- The big lottery fund should be asked to consider entering a funding partnership with the BF I to create assistance for local film clubs and societies in rural areas or areas of deprivation.n
- The panel also recommends that the BF I coordinate a UK wide film festival to promote independent British and Specialized film using a mix of public and private funding and investment/sponsorship.
- The digital revolution will change the way teachers and learners access information and one-click access to resources, no matter where you are in the UK. There is concern that the DfE may withdraw its support for film education but it must continue to support the program.
- Building on success of providers, the BF I should co-ordinate a new offer for film education bringing together making, seeing and learning about film in an accessible offer. This would be available in every school across the UK and would be supported by an online format giving easy access to materials. The aim should be for the work to be jointly funded by DfE and other education departments and industry bodies.
- Some curricula already have a wider range of subjects easily combined but in general, most school push students towards Arts or Humanities or Sciences. These are not the kinds of subjects cutting edge and creative film companies are looking for. The panel recognizes that it is vital to the success of the creative industries that pupils are made aware of the importance of studying arts and sciences in tandem rather than pushed to one or the other. This would involve consulting with the education departments on ways that proposals from both reports could be merged into curricula for respective Nations.
