Film 4 Fact File
Film4 productions are a British film production company owned by channel 4.The Company has been responsible for backing a large number of films made in the UK. The company’s first production was Walter, directed by Stephen Frears in 1982. Film4 is a free digital television channel available in the UK again owned by channel 4.
Film4 did not originally focus on broadcasting blockbusters, but nowadays broadcasts many mainstream Hollywood movies. The channel frequently has themed nights or seasons in which a number of films centered around one genre, director or actor are shown. As Channel 4 also owns a film production company, Film4 Productions, it shows many of its in-house productions. Film4, Channel 4 Television's feature film division, has announced the appointment of Anna Higgs (a digital media producer and consultant), to spearhead its digital initiatives under the brand banner of Film4.0.As part of its increased funding, Film4 is set to take a pioneering role in exploring the digital, online arena through Film4.0. Its aim will be to find new talent and discover new ways of making, marketing and distributing films and engaging new audiences online in a multi-platform environment.Tessa Ross said: ‘We are thrilled to have found in Anna the perfect person with whom to launch our new digital venture, Film4.0. She combines a passion for innovation with a clear expertise in delivering it to audience and she will be a wonderful addition to the team.'
In 2004, Tessa Ross became controller of both film 4 and channel 4 drama, film4 was launched in November 1998.Before 1998 the company was identified as channel four films or film four international, later it was named film. In 2002 the company cut its staff and budgets significantly due to mounting losses.Film4 was originally known as Film Four and became Channel 4's second channel when it launched on 1 November 1998. It was a subscription-only service available on satellite television via the Sky platform, digital terrestrial via ITV Digital and most UK cable services. It cost £5.99 or £6.00 a month (depending on platform), eventually rising to up to £7. The launch night, which was also broadcast on Channel 4, was hosted by Johnny Vaughan and the first film to be shown was What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
The subscription service ended on 19 July 2006 and the channel re-launched as a free-to-air service a few days later on 23 July. When the channel became free, it also returned to digital terrestrial as part of the Free view brand, and became completely free-to-air on satellite television. Due to the change, the channel's availability increased from 300,000 to 18 million households. It also changed its broadcasting hours to 12:45 - 08:45, and commercial breaks were included during films for the first time.
The first film broadcast under the new format was the British non-subscription television premiere of Lost in Translation. With the exception of Movies4Men available on a local multiplex in Greater Manchester only, Film4 remains the only free film channel available on digital terrestrial television.
To alert the public to it going free-to-air, Film4 launched a massive campaign directed by Kevin Spacey featuring major celebrities advertising Film4 in odd ways. The slogan of the campaign was "FILMS FOR FREE". Examples include:
· Judi Dench in a lobster costume, operatically singing the words "Film Four!"
· Lucy Liu in a banner plane, insulting Ray Winstone and Christian Slater who have incorrectly erected a 'Film4 is free' sign, whilst her own banner is displayed upside-down.
· Ewan McGregor in a tomato costume, talking to Judi Dench about whether he is a fruit or a vegetable.
· Gael García Bernal putting leaflets, advertising Film4, onto cars and setting off their alarms. To which he then throws the remaining leaflets in the air.
· Willem Dafoe saying to one of the advertising campaigners (played by Mackenzie Crook), "First day? It'll get better."
· Rhys Ifans advertising the channel door-to-door, but often having a door slammed in his face.
Film4 is “committed to enhancing the British film making industry by nurturing and funding new talent.” It also offers a distinctive range of mainstream and independent films “encouraging audiences to broaden their horizons” and by making and showing alternative and challenging films.
Budget…
Channel 4 budget rises of 50% from 2011 to £15m per year, guaranteed for the next five years. The increased budget will provide the domestic film industry with a financial boost following the government's decision to close the UK Film Council. "At a time when funding is increasingly difficult to access it will allow us to extend our reach further towards new voices and new audiences.”
Film4 makes around 6 films a year. Set up a low-budget studio with the Film Council and distributors Optimum: Warp X (digital production house) Working across TV and film drama also allows for economies of scale and cross-fertilisation. Ross sees Film4 as part of a wider creative community with, for e.g., ‘Working Title’, the BBC and BBC Film and partnerships with Distribution companies as essential.
Film4 have had some success over the years such as Won 5 Oscars in 4 years and 3 BAFTAs in 2007 alone. Reaches 8.3 million ABC1s a month, with an upmarket (42%) and male (55%) profile.
Film4 uses key directors such as Danny Boyle's, Martin McDonagh, Steve McQueen, Mike Leigh, Mark Romanek, Chris Morris and Peter Mullan
