Learning about artists/Organisations

I want to look at organisations that are based around the UK. Simply because if i do go into the industry I am more likely to come across them... They are both based in London, it made me realise how pretty much all major production companies from the UK are based in the capital.

Film 4 - I did alot of research into Film 4 as I was curious as to how they function and earn money. The more I researched the more interesting I found it! I discovered that Film 4 gave the budget to alot of danny boyle films which I love (such as trainspotting and Shallow grave) they can offer equipment and even people to help with the filming! for example runners to fetch tea and coffee. But what I found most interesting is that they then have the rights to play the films they gave the budgets to on their television channel 'film 4'. Film 4 was offically launched in 1998 however was previously known as Film 4 productions and this was first established in 1982. The channel frequently has themed nights or seasons in which a number of films centred around one genre, director or actor are shown. A good exaple of this is when Nick Frost starred in the new film (Cuban fury), they had a 'night of frost' where they showed 'Paul' and 'attack the block'. This promoted his new film and they already had the rights to these films as it was Film 4 which produced it, so they would have already had all the rights to the films.

Working Title - The reason I chose to research working title is because I knew little about them. It is to my surprise I found that they have produced some of my favorite films and have had many collaborations with edgar wright and the cohen brothers and moved on from some of their films to films like 'united 93' which is another film I really like. They also got bought out by Universal studio's, this was interesting to me as it formed a conglomerate.This is where one company owns another and can often happen in the filming industry. It is mutually beneficial and helpful for advertisement, equipment and staff. I was also surprised to find out working title was established in 1983. They seem to have only really came into film prodcution in the 1900's. They also have co-produced alot of their more recent films with studio canal. Working Title's main reason for their sucsess is because of 'four weddings and a funeral'. This is a british rom-com that managed to make $244 in its boxoffice world wide and is one of the main reasons Univeral Studios bought a 68% share in them.

Also while I was researching working title, I came across this http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/features/video/id/190 - even though paul is not my favorite frost and pegg film (probably because it was missing the magical directing of edgar wright) This really made me want to watch it again. So I did! and surprisingly I enjoyed it more!

It is really easy to overlook what organisations actually create the films we love so much. after watching a a couple of films since I have done my research, I pay alot more attention to the organisations which make these films.