The British film industry: blog tasks

Factsheet #132: British Film

  

1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British.

British Film can be difficult as what it means to be a British film can include many different criteria.

2) What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and production context of a British film?

British film as a production context also tends to be varied but idiosyncratic to the story being told within the film. A films production context is the conditions under which the film has been made. For instance the Hollywood production context means that most films made by Hollywood studios have high budgets, a heavy reliance on celebrities both in the cast and crew and spectacle driven stories. Whereas the independent production context

films tend to have low budgets, character rather than spectacle driven stories and a heavier reliance on word of mouth and viral advertising.

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

The 1960s brought about the start of the James Bond franchise as well as a greater involvement of American

money and talent, as well as an upsurge in experimentation that fell along with the shifting cultural norms of the 1960s.

4) In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s?

The British film industry in the 1970s was dominated by the subject of censorship that continued into the video  nasties banning of the 1980s.

5) What groups are often represented in British film? Give examples of films these groups feature in.

 The history of British film censorship of the 20th century is the history of social, cultural and political change

as British Film being like any other art reflects the current climate of the times in which it is created. What we see over the course of the 20th century and into the 21st century is a gradual acceptance of social taboos being included in British Film, this usually centres on the main subjects of violence, sex (the two combined being one of the last bastions of solid censorship that films tend to see in the modern age), drug use and criminal activity.

6) What does the Factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?

The main characteristics that can be identified as appealing to a native British audience would include; the actors, British actors tend to be clearly identifiable as British and will often be associated with a particular genre of British film, for example Hugh Grant having an association with British romantic comedies. British locations tend to be a heavily used feature of the film, with London being the most popular, although we have seen a rise in popularity of

northern towns and cities being used in many British films. However the overwhelming characteristics that will most appeal to a British audience is the social theme that provides the through line for many British film narratives. The British audience has a keen interest in British films that focus on class, social strife, education and more.

Factsheet #100: British film industry

 

1) What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film counts as British?

If a film does not qualify as a co-production, it must pass the British Film Institute’s Cultural Test in order to be defined as British. Then Cultural Test is divided into four sections and a film must score at least 16 out of a possible 31 points to be classified as British.

2) Complete the task on the Factsheet - choose three of the films listed and research them to work out what they score on the cultural test: The Sweeney (2012), Attack The Block, The King's Speech, We Need To Talk About Kevin and Skyfall.

3) What is the main problem for the British film industry?

Historically, the British film 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. Even a highly successful British film is not necessarily making money  that will be reinvested in British filmmaking.

4) What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?

• the Film Fund

• the Innovation Fund

• the Prints and Advertising Fund

5) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

Firstly, British filmmakers could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat. However, the drawback would be that much of what makes the film British may be lost, such as regional accents and dialects or cultural and political references. Since these features would make no sense to an audience outside of Britain, it is unlikely that an American company involved in a co-production would approve of them.

The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low budget films targeted at a niche, British audience. Though the production costs will have to be lower and box-office taking and profits will necessarily be lower too, the filmmakers will be able to retain what it is that makes British films so distinctive without compromise. Careful  sale of distribution rights could also mean that profits are channelled back into the UK film industry.

6) In your opinion, which of these two options would best safeguard the future of the British film industry?

The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low budget films targeted at a niche, British audience. Though the production costs will have to be lower and box-office taking and profits will necessarily be lower too, the filmmakers will be able to retain what it is that makes British films so distinctive without compromise. Careful sale of distribution rights could also mean that profits are channelled back into the UK film industry. I think this is the best option as the UK film wont depend on America anymore. this will allow them to make profits and gain the most money.