Media Factsheet 100 & 132

Factsheet #132: British Film

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

It is a film based in Britain with British Actors/Characters with a British subject matter.

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. 

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

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?

The British film industry in the 1970's was dominated by the subject of censorship that continued into the video nasties banning of the 1980's. The 1980's also saw a dramatic decline in American investment in British film that did not increase again until the 1990's. 

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

There are contemporary representations of youth in films such as Attack the Block (Studio Canal, 2011) that attempt to show a deeper more realistic portrayal of youth that challenges the stereotype of the threat or the rebel.

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

The British culture/lifestyle.

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. 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, 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.

Sweeney-

Attack The Block-

The King's Speech-

We Need To Talk About Kevin-

Skyfall-

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

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?

 Britain has had a film industry since well before World War I and several important film studios are British, such as Ealing Studios and Pinewood Studios. The British film industry has several strengths that make it the third biggest film industry in the world. British films take 5% of world box-office takings, which is extraordinary for such a small nation.
5) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

British film makers could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat. They could also attempt to make a low budget film 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 believe relying on the American studios would be a better option as no one watches low budget films regularly and Hollywood films generate a high income.