Reality of the British Film Industry

The passion to produce films has dwindled somewhat over the years and not because of the close of the UK Film Council, which some say is detrimental to the Film industry and some say is a god send.  We say they have not gone far enough and many quangos still exist, wasting tax payer money.  How many British films are made in a year and how many see the light of day, from the cutting room floor?  When outside studios come to the UK to produce films it obviously shows the talent that is present but all the box office money and eventually the talent goes back with them and who can blame them.

The British media seems to be blind by the fact, stupid or have simply just given in and accepted that the British film industry is in such a bad state.  Why would the UK press jump on the band wagon, of the one British Film that comes out during the year and ignore all the wasted public money which is given to friends to make some truly abysmal films.  Kings Speech and Billy Elliot are great films but why do we have to settle with only one throughout the year.  If there is another version of Jane Eyre in the pipe lines I personally will kill myself.

The industry is in turmoil and has been for years it is also heading for extinction as wannabe film executives who hold the flag given by the government or the old film council hold absolutely no qualifications, be it in business or art, but sure know how to live the lifestyle by visiting Cannes every year.  Give the opportunities that exist to film makers who wish to produce films from the heart and not for their personal bank balances or who they could possibly rub shoulders with.

There are many problems that exist within the industry and when I say be given the opportunity I do not mean money, just in case that is what you are thinking.  I am talking about a platform where we can screen our films in independent cinemas in the UK, free of charge and then leave it for the audience to decide if this film is worth further marketing and should be pushed.  We are talking about a self sustainable and social enterprise picture house that in down time can show the blockbusters but always give priority to British film makers, the government is better of funding these houses than quangos/individuals.

No one individual has the right to say if a film is worthy or not and hold that type of power or responsibility to decide if a film can be screened, or is not worth further marketing.  No one knows what makes a successful film otherwise they would be making a string of box office or critically acclaimed hits themselves. 

Film makers should also take it on themselves and stop trying to live the lifestyle and wait for scripts to be given the green light.  Live the dream by using all the cheap digital equipment that is on the market and find other like-minded and passionate people and produce your films off your own backs and then present it to the market and let the market decide rather than some moron in a suit, who can barely be bothered to read your script, I’m sorry be able to read at all.

We must look to the future and set our own examples, let us all hope the films to be released and recognised brings inspiration to the future youth of the British film industry.

If you are an actor or actress in Birmingham/West Midlands please do drop RKD Films a line as we wish to build a portfolio of serious artists who wish to embark on our journey to produce a feature film in 2011 off our own backs and with our own resources.

Happy Valentines Day from RKD Films