Commsioner Factfile Film 4

Who is the company?

Film 4 is a production company as it had produced films such as suffragette which was released in 2015; Film 4 could also be classed as distributor as it distributes films that they have made such as ‘Inbetweeners 2’ they were responsible for the marketing and releasing the film in to cinemas and on the television, Inbetweeners 2 was also exhibited by Film 4 as they put it on their TV programme and made it available for the audience.

Film 4 is a production company who is parented by Channel 4, it has been responsible for creating various films made in the UK. 

Channel 4 owns More 4, E4 and Channel 4 HD.

Being owned by a parent company allows the company to have a bigger budget to produce these films, the company is also allowed to the use the name and image of the parent company as they most likely have been well established even before they start marketing, they also have a higher advertising budget so they can advertise their film in a better way in order for the audience to be intrigued to watch the film.

What do the company produce?

 Film 4 invest around £500,000 on each film and they make around 10-20 films a year, for example in 2013 they produced 13 films.

 Specialists in co-production- traditionally contributing 15-25% of and independent films’ budget. 

Film 4 has recently created very successful films such as ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ the budget was $15 million and the box office was about $377.9 million. Another film is the ‘The Last King Of Scotland’ the budget was about $6 million and the box office was about $48.8 million showing that these films are quite successful even though before they had a huge downfall in losses.

On average film 4 contribute 15-25% of the films budget 

Film 4 also produces films such as comedy, drama lifestyle and sport films such as Inbetweeners 2.

Where Is the Company Based?

Film 4 is funded in the UK, although it is funded in the UK it funds films all around the world such as Slumdog Millionaire which was made in India.

Film 4 have co-produced with BFI, West End Team and Rising Stars to make the film ‘Old Boys’  Film 4 were very pleased to have taken part in the production of the film.

The big successes for Film4 in recent times are Slumdog Millionaire, Inbetweeners 2, 12 years a slave, these films have been very profitable and their box offices have been very big.

Why is the company important to the UK Film Industry. 

To develop new British talent and be the leader of innovation in the British film industry. To support international (including American) independent film-makers by co-investing in innovative and interesting foreign films. To offer a platform for British and independent cinema on terrestrial television by committing to showing each one of Film Four Productions films on Channel 4 and it’s sister station Film Four.

Films like Shaun The Sheep have become successful. Also films like  The King’s Speech and Philomena have also put British filmmaking in the spotlight. Film 4 has helped actors such as John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Adam Deacon and Noel Clarke who play in films such as Attack The Block and Adulthood, in recent times John Boyega become a well known actor who has played in star wars