Film Industry: British film industry factsheets

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. You can find it online here - you'll need to log in using your Greenford Google login. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions:

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

There are certain criteria you have to look at to determinates what makes a film British. for example if it is made by British directors of it the cast is British but mostly I think what makes a film British is if it is about British culture.

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

Most films made by Hollywood studios have high budgets, a heavy reliance on celebrities both in the cast and crew and spectacle driven stories. On the other hand British films can very as the can be high budget with popular characters like Harry Potter or they can be low budget "Kill List" or This is England".

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

1962

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

The 1970s sees a rise in British Films of sexual content, both the act of sex

and sex linked to violence with films

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

Young people

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

The main appeal of a British film 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. 

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. You can find it on the same link as above. 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?

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.

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.

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 film making.

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

One strength is that they have exceptional facilities which attract investment from film makers all around the world.

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

Either make low budget films that are going to be targeting a niche British audience or rely upon co-production with American studios to keep the studios afloat.

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

I the current world economy I believe that they should not relay on America but rather try to innovate themselves.