FILM INDUSTRY: intro to the British film industry

Alezey

 The British film industry 

Factsheet #132: British Film 

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

- A film is considered British if it is mainly produced in the UK, shot in the UK or reflects British culture, settings or themes.

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

- 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 British

film production context does not have as many clearly defined characteristics. British films can be large budget, high concept films such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

- The 1960s brought about the start of the James Bond franchise.

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

- In the 1970s, British film began to change as there was a rise in sexual content, including sex linked to violence, seen in films like A Clockwork Orange (1971), which came under a lot of scrutiny. In the 1980s, the rise of video led to the ‘video nasties’ scare, as filmmaking became more accessible and more extreme content was making its way into Britain. Because of this, film censorship continued to evolve, with the BBFC introducing clearer classifications and engaging more with British audiences when reviewing its guidelines.

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

- British films often represent young people and the working class, particularly through stories linked to British culture and social realism. Youth are frequently shown as being in a state of confusion or rebellion, as seen in A Clockwork Orange (1971), where young people are portrayed through violence and anti-establishment behaviour. Other films such as Attack the Block (2011) also focus on inner-city youth, using urban slang, setting and stereotypes to represent young people growing up in modern Britain.

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

- The factsheet suggests that British films appeal to audiences by focusing on recognisable British culture, social themes and everyday life. British audiences may be drawn to familiar locations such as London, British accents and actors, and narratives that reflect real social issues like class, crime and inequality. This sense of realism, along with humour and social commentary, helps British films connect with and appeal to a native British audience.

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Factsheet #100: British film industry

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

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. The 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.

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

- The main problem for the British film industry is that it is difficult to make and distribute films profitably. Historically, British films have been produced on rather low budgets, meaning filmmakers struggle to find finance and distribution. Even when a British film is successful, the profits often do not stay in the UK, as international distributors and American production companies retain the rights and income, making it hard for money to be reinvested into British filmmaking.

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

- One strength of the British film industry is its outstanding creative skills, with directors such as Richard Curtis and strong writing and intellectual property like Harry Potter. Another strength is its outstanding facilities, including British studios, camera companies and digital post-production houses that attract investment from around the world. A further strength is that British films perform well at the global box office, with British filmmaking taking around 5% of world box-office takings despite being a small nation.

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

- The factsheet suggests two main options for the future of the British film industry. One option is continuing co-productions with American companies, which can help finance and distribute large franchises such as James Bond and Harry Potter. The second option is to focus on making lower-budget British films targeted at a niche, British audience rather than competing directly with Hollywood.

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

- In my opinion, focusing on lower-budget films aimed at a British audience would best safeguard the future of the British film industry, as it helps maintain British identity and culture without relying heavily on American companies, which can dilute what makes British films distinctive.