FILM IN ENGLAND - UK Film Council - British Film Institute

The following key issues relate to regional screen commissions in England:
■ There are a total of nine regional commissions including London plus three
local city film offices. Regional screen commissions aim to encourage
production spend in the regions, thereby providing jobs and services for local
film industries as well as indirect support for local tourism
■ The core function of the ERSCs is the promotion and support of film, broadcast
and audio-visual production in a region in order to maximise economic benefit
through the provision of location services. The commissions have been largely
successful in carrying out this core function
■ The commissions’ secondary function relates to the promotion of each region’s
industrial infrastructure. They achieve this with varying degrees of efficiency
through advocacy, advice, and information
■ Many of the commissions are understaffed and experience considerable pressure
to meet industry expectations. The average staffing level is two to three full-time
staff; London is the biggest with nine staff. These resources now are coming
under increasing pressure as production levels rise and the digital revolution is
beginning to increase the demand for location services across the UK
■ The establishment of the ERSCs has been achieved in the face of a real lack of
resources. The only commission in the UK currently to receive central funding
is the London Film Commission (LFC), which ran into financial difficulties
earlier in 2000 and has received a funding commitment from the FILM
COUNCIL in recognition of its unique importance to the UK industry
■ Typically, regional screen commissions are dependent upon a patchwork of
funders which include local authorities, broadcasters, ESF and ERDF structural
funds. Funding is inevitably short-term and thus unstable. The result is
continuous fundraising initiatives which divert the commissions from
doing their job. All the commissions have faced, and continue to face,
similar problems
■ Despite the development of the UK Screen Commission Network for locations
support, there is little overall coherence in systems and procedures
■ There has been insufficient linkage between the ERSCs and the BFC, which acts
as the clearing house for the majority of British feature films coming into the
UK for production and post-production facilities
■ The commissions see the creation of the FILM COUNCIL and in particular the
England-wide review as the first real opportunity to strengthen their ability to
deliver on their core goals
■ The regional screen commissions have been lead players in promoting the
benefits of integrated regional planning structures and are often involved in
cross regional initiatives.
Film in England
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Consultation