british film industry

Factsheet #132: British Film

Use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #132 on British Film. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the reading for homework. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions:

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

A British film is a film that is filmed in Britain, contains a majority of British actors and cast, is based on British subject material and or is funded by Britain.

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

Hollywood productions mainly contain a significantly larger budget in comparison to British films, Hollywood productions also add extra emphasis on including prominent celebrities in their productions to help drive sales. British films focus on low budget storytelling by showcasing the lively hood of average everyday individuals, something that is very contrasting to the typical conventions of their Hollywood cousins

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

It began in the 1960’s

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

Each decade showed their own changes

In the 1970s overly sexualized low-budget’s stories and filming was used due to funding being far more difficult to obtain by content producers, this led to crude films being made as they were easy sales. In the 1980s after an accessibility explosion, new filmmakers were experimenting far more due to the availability of filming equipment; this led to extreme films which prompted the government to introduce the BBFC, a government body that rated the films that were being made.

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

The poor

The youth

Th royal family

Women (sexualised)

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

The factsheet suggests that the main appeal of British film are movies that are oriented around social narratives

Factsheet #100: British film industry

To complete our introduction to the British film industry, we need a little more background to the industries context.

Find Media Factsheet #100 on the British film industry. Save it to USB or email it to yourself so you have access to the Factsheet for homework. Read the whole of the Factsheet and answer the following questions:

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

It is a test that was created specifically designed to determine whether or not a film is British

2) Complete the task on the Factsheet, researching the films listed and finding out what they score on the cultural test: Sweeney, 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

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

• outstanding creative skills of practitioners
Directors like Richard Curtis have made films, such as Love
Actually (2003), which have grossed billions of dollars worldwide
and intellectual property, such as J. K Rowling’s Harry Potter
books, have also enabled British film production companies to
be involved in the production of financially successful franchises.
• outstanding facilities
British studios, camera companies and digital post-production
houses all attract investment from filmmakers around the world,
especially the USA.

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

Or

The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low budget films targeted at a niche, British audience

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

I feel like the first option would be the best option as it would mean that the British film industry would be able to add it's name to large scale american productions and build a name for itself. This is important as american productions tend to not only be more profitable, but they appeal to a larger audience, this increases the chances of attracting new consumers to the British film industry and or could help improve the current financial situation of the industry.