The British film industry: blog tasks

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.

A British film is typically defined as one that meets criteria such as being made in Britain, funded by British sources, featuring British cast or crew, or focusing on British culture or themes.

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

Hollywood production focuses on high budgets, celebrities, and spectacle, while British film production is more varied, often reflecting British culture with both big-budget blockbusters and low-budget, character-driven stories.

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

1960s

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 1970s was dominated by the subject of censorship that continued into

the video nasties banning of the 1980s.

The 1950s see the rise of the teenage audience as Britain leaves rationing and starts to become more affluent, social change in America and their films helps drive similar change in the UK and British Films start to reflect this going into the 1960s. With many notorious films being linked to riots by youth

movements such as mods and rockers. The 1970s sees a rise in British Films of sexual content, both the act of sex and sex linked to violence with films like A Clockwork Orange (Warner Bros, 1971) coming under a lot of scrutiny. The British film industry in the 1970s was dominated by the subject of censorship that continued into the video nasties banning of the 1980s.

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

This became a topic of increasing importance from the 1950s onwards and has seen an evolution in some parts of the representation as well as a persistent consistency in the way some films portray young people, especially in the British Horror Film. For example if we look at the way youth is portrayed in a very singular way in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (Warner Bros., 1971), the focus

is on violence, anti-establishment and a compulsion to act in an anarchic way.

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

The factsheet suggests British films appeal to audiences by focusing on British culture, familiar actors, iconic locations like London, and relatable social themes such as class and education. These films often address serious issues with humor, reflecting Britain’s past and present in a way that connects with audiences.

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 checks if a film is British by scoring it on four areas:

1.Cultural Context: Is it set in the UK, about British topics, in English, with British characters?

2.Cultural Contribution: Does it reflect British culture, heritage, or creativity?

3.Cultural Hubs: Was it made in British studios or used British post-production services?

4.Cultural Practitioners: Were British professionals involved, like the director, cast, or crew?

A film needs at least 16 out of 31 points to pass.

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.

answer

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

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.

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

Outstanding creative skills of practitioners

Outstanding facilities

The Film Fund

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.

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?

Relying on co-productions with American studios is the better option, as it provides bigger budgets, global reach, and wider distribution. This helps British filmmakers share their stories internationally while ensuring the industry’s financial stability and long-term growth.