Friday 6 December 2013

Chancellor announces change to BFI film cultural test


Yesterday in the Autumn statement the chancellor announced some changes in the BFI's culture test, which is used to determine whether a film qualifies as British. If a film does qualify it can benefit from tax breaks among other perks.

The changes are as follows:

  • an increase in the amount of tax relief rewarded if the film qualifies
  • EU talent will be taken into account as long as the dialogue is in English
  • a bigger emphasis on post production and visual effects
  • only 10% of the film's budget must be spent in the UK (it used to be 25%)
  • 18 points out of 35 are required to pass now (it used to be 16-31)
These changes show that the UK is trying to attract more co-production from America as well as Europe.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Day of the Doctor makes $10m in 3 days

The Day of the Doctor achieved success at the box office this week when it made 10 million dollars in just 3 days. The anniversary episode was made to mark Doctor Who's 50th anniversary and was distributed by the bbc on many distribution platforms such as iTunes, tv broadcast in 19 different countries and in 3D in cinemas across the world including Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. At the box office it even managed to take on some of the high concept blockbusters coming 2nd in the box office after the Hunger Games Catching Fire despite having a much more limited marketing budget, this is likely due to the cult following of the tv show.

Gravity a surprising hit at box office


Gravity, which stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, has taken the box office by storm making a total of $600 million internationally since it opened on the 4th of October. 

After the financial shortcoming of the film After Earth, another high concept science fiction film, many were doubtful of Gravity's chances. The success of gravity is partially due to it being popular not just with the domestic audience but also in many other countries around the world, Gravity beat the latest Hunger Games film Catching Fire in China and maintaining it's number 1 position in the box office for a second week. The film is the latest blockbuster to heavily utilise 3D effects, this also contributed to the film's success. Some people have doubted 3D's place in the film industry but the success of films like Gravity show that there is still a market for it.

Gravity was also received well with critics, receiving a metacritic score of 96, including a 100 from Total Film magazine. Gravity will likely be nominated for awards in the upcoming awards season allowing it's success to continue due to the publicity generated.