Adrian Wooton, Executive Director of the British Film Commission, on 100 years of “special relationship” between the UK and Hollywood (exclusive)

Adrian Wooton, Executive Director of the British Film Commission, on 100 years of “special relationship” between the UK and Hollywood (exclusive)

To mark the Film Association’s centenary on 30 May, Adrian Wooton, CEO of the British Film Commission and Film London, has written an exclusive article for The Gossipify about the unique relationship between the UK and Hollywood. The past 100 years, including the rise of British talent in the US like Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock, the studio’s continued influence on the UK’s emerging industry, how it laid the groundwork for franchises like James Bond and Harry Potter, and what the future holds. . holds

There are often references to a “special relationship” between Great Britain and the United States. For me, the cultural medium that best expresses this is cinema and television. Perhaps the most striking demonstration is the recent and unprecedented explosion of content on our shores caused by domestic investment partners in US studios and broadcasters.

From the Dream Factory’s inception through World War I and its aftermath, our manufacturing, distribution and exhibition industries and talents were inextricably linked. Perhaps the first real movie superstar was Charlie Chaplin, a Brit who started out on the British stage, but his film talents were financed by rising American film companies and their Wall Street investors. Although British cinema had its own specific development, American films were still very popular at the time and in the age of sound and American distribution companies had large operations in this crucial market at an early stage.

With the advent of the sound age, changes were made to UK legislation to give British films more space in the market. This meant that American studios also had to invest in “local” production. And thus came the often ridiculous “Quota Quickie”. They were cheap “B” movies financed by American studios that were part of theater support programs. Still, they put in a remarkable effort, and excellent technicians and filmmakers (like legendary director Michael Powell) got their start. They presumably provided a unique training ground that became the foundation for the subsequent Golden Age of British cinema.

Also during this period, American film companies invested in British cinema by making distribution deals outside the UK to local producers such as Alexander Corda. They invested in studios like Denham, where the first European technology film was made, sponsored by 20th Century Fox, morning wings Taken in 1937. MGM even created a British division to shoot movies (including classics Goodbye Mr. chips).

During the war, talent became the main currency. From Hitchcock to Olivia, Grant, Flynn and Lima, many of our greatest directors, writers and artists have appeared in Hollywood’s finest. And brilliant post-war cinema emerged on both sides of the Atlantic. This included the peak profits of the British production of Gainsborough, Ealing and Rank, as well as important yet incidental classic films that represented a true two-way collaboration.

Returning to Corda, legendary producer David O. Thanks to the courtesy of Selznick, he was given the talent and finances of the United States. the third manFilmed in the UK with its studio scenes, Fox sponsored the thriller Jules Dassin Noir in 1950. night and city Charming American star Richard Widmark on the streets of London continues to be bombed. The following year, Britain’s Romulus Films co-produced John Houston Classics. African Queen Meanwhile, with studio scenes shot in the UK, David Lynn also started a series of international epics. Bridge over the River Kwai s Lawrence of Arabia Both are funded by Colombia. Indeed, in the 1960s, the creative and commercial interests of British cinema and Hollywood coincided. United Artists sponsors low-budget (!) doctor noHe founded one of the oldest franchises in movie history. Each subsequent part was created and filmed at least partially here, using a wide range of British talent.

The American film industry celebrated social change in Britain in the ‘rolling sixties’, openly sponsoring British talent, producers and directors to finally create a British theme for an international audience. tom jones since 1962 ipcress file, alfie, And many more. Combine that with genius American director Stanley Kubrick’s constant relocation to the UK to film his Warner Brothers films. Doctor Strange Since 1961, only on these margins (creating productive bases that Harry Potter Decades later) and Hollywood England was really happening. This period of expansion has brought many benefits to British industry, no doubt leaving deep roots in talent, skills and infrastructure.

Mainly for economic reasons, it ended in the early 1970s and the desert period began. However, several major US-funded features were made in British studios during this period, including George Lucas’ first cycle. war of the galaxies Films in Elster, Kubrick’s intermittent epic (right blindfolded) And designs like the classic Ridley Scott helmet abroad.

This important but inconsistent pattern continued until, after successful industry lobbying, UK governments introduced tax incentive models in the 1990s that would eventually grow into a tax credit support framework that has since served as a solid basis for defending British Indian cinema. And at the same time, it stimulated domestic investment in a way not seen since the 1960s.

It was a catalyst to encourage Warner Bros. Harry Potter Movies here and build your permanent base in Leavesden. You’ve seen Disney, Paramount and Universal (as well as owning a brilliant title) here on many large scale products. This situation was further spurred by the large-scale growth of high-quality television (HETV), which was attracted by infrastructure expansion, talent development and an additional tax credit.

Add to that the entry of streamers into the market, and production in UK countries and regions has quickly developed an enviable global position. In 2022, despite the pandemic and related obstacles, demand is growing. As an industry, we continue to face challenges with more infrastructure, specifically studio space, and growing efforts to train people to fill thousands of additional jobs. Of course, there are long-standing concerns about independent British cinema, intellectual development, sustainability, diversity and cultural identity.

However, if we look at the cost of investment (stuff, bricks and mortar), our partners take it across the UK, across seven UK production clusters, helping us to raise the bar before we invented the phrase and the absolute quality of what is made. (central abbey, wreath, fantastic beasts, slow horses, bridgeton, ted’s bowTo name a few), it is obvious that this aspect of a special relationship is strong, healthy, and growing.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

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