UK in Focus - page 80

FEATURE
ASK THE BFC
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Iain Smith
Chair, British Film Commission and Producer
(Mad Max: Fury Road, 24: Live Another Day)
I would describe the BFC as the shop window for our industry in
all its aspects, with a remit to bring productions into the country.
Not only are we attracting these productions but we’re also out
there trying to understand what’s happening in the international
business, because we need to be alert to change, technological
and global, to new markets and sources of production financing.
We have to look at the competition, and keep an eye on the coun-
tries that are creating tax reliefs and growing their infrastructure.
The two things that make the UK work are the tax credit envi-
ronment, which is very friendly, and the skills that we have — the
ability to actually do the work at the highest level. And it’s critical
the BFC is closely involved in the education and training of that
talent. I chair the Film Skills Council at Creative Skillset, and also
the Film Industry Training Board, specifically because I see it as
two sides of a coin. It’s all very well having the ‘sell sell sell’ but
you have to make sure you have the capacity to deliver.
Looking to the future, it’s very important to think about how we
build a more sustainable base. Part of that is to encourage indige-
nous production, and the creation of intellectual property that at
the moment is not looked after enough.It’s not normally something
with which a film commission would concern itself,but we do—and
me in particular.I keep drilling into the BFI and others that we must
have that crossover.We can’t just be about big films coming into the
UK; we have to build a foundation we can rely on for decades to
come. We should enjoy our success, but not rest on our laurels.
Adrian Wootton
Chief Executive, British Film Commission and Film London
The BFC is effectively the go-to organisation for any production
wanting to make a film or high-end television project in the UK.
Whether the question is about locations, tax reliefs, infrastructure,
where to shoot or accessing the right contacts, the BFC has it cov-
ered. There is no request too big or too small, we’re always happy
to share our knowledge. We have close industry partnerships with
all the trade bodies, all the guilds and the people on the ground
because we can’t be effective unless the industry understands we
are batting on their behalf and, conversely, when we receive pro-
duction enquiries we know how to resolve them. The BFC is very
much about a symbiotic relationship with the industry and all of
our partners around the UK. Of course we recognise how impor-
tant London and the south east are in terms of studios and infra-
structure, but we are always keen that people know what’s avail-
able across the whole country.
Considering the volume of film and high-end television that
comes out of the US, the working relationship between the BFC’s
UK and US offices is also crucial. We have a highly experienced
team in Los Angeles that knows the US industry and has an ongo-
ing dialogue with those working within it.We have advance notice
on key projects, so we can proactively advise clients on the
changes and improvements we have in the UK. It’s a cliché but the
early bird really does catch the worm: to be successful and con-
tinue attracting significant inward investment into the UK, you
have to be proactive — and we pride ourselves on being just that.
It’s all verywell having the ‘sell
sell sell’, but you must have the
capacity to deliver
Iain Smith
To be successful, you have to be
proactive. we pride ourselves on
being just that
Adrian Wootton
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