British Film Companies (Film 4)

British Film Companies (Film 4)

OWNERSHIP:

• Film 4 Productions was formed by Channel 4 Television in 1982
• Channel 4 Television is a publicly owned company and television station, that, whilst mostly funded through commercial activities (such as advertising) is ultimately owned by the public
• Channel 4 Television has a public service remit and obligation to provide diverse, original, and challenging programming, and exists to be an alternative to the existing major TV studios
• Film 4 Productions was known as Channel Four Films before 1998
• It was renamed to Film Four to tie in (cross media) with the newly launched TV channel (subscription only) of the same name
• It was then again rebranded as Film 4 Productions to match the change in name from the Film Four Channel to Film 4
• Being a clearly identified UK film production company affects the distribution and exhibition of the Film 4 films in the UK as they are British. Therefore, there are marketed as 'British' abroad as they have British flavour and theme. This results in them being popular in the UK and targeting a British audience
• The sharing branding with the Film 4 TV Channel affects the exhibition and distribution of Film 4 Productions films because they as associated with the TV Channel and the audience from Channel 4, E4 and anyone interested in Film 4 films
• A number of films are by first time feature screenwriters or directors as they look for distinctive films which will make their mark in a competitive cinema market
• Originally only subscribers could access the channel however, as the company wasn’t making enough money through subscriptions alone it relaunched the channel in July 2006 as a freeview channel. They believed they could make more money through advertising
• Their films are specifically funded projects with their own budgets – they hire creative and technical production staff on a project - by - project basis, only employing administrators
• Often their films are co - productions with other small companies. Often their films are financed by deals with bigger distributors and often their films receive funding from official bodies
• Film 4 is committed to enhancing the British film industry by nurturing and funding new talent. It offers a range of independent as well as mainstream films and encourages audience to broaden their horizons. Therefore appealing to a mainstream audience as well as a niche market that like alternative films. It also has a reputation for making and showing challenging films
• Film 4 now focuses on mainstream Hollywood movies and they have frequent themed nights in programming according to seasons, genre, director or actor

What sort of films does Film 4 typically produce? 

Drama/Docudrama/Documentary/Thrillers/Mostly UK setting/Some international/Set in England/Low budget compared to Hollywood/Giving debut/Opportunity to new directors, up and coming talent/British directors, actors, crew/Young target audience/Sensitive, strong, controversial issues, change opinions/Original film & original ideas