Rebecca Chapman

FILM 4

Owned By- Channel 4 Corporation

Controller- Tessa Ross

Latest/Key Directors-

Danny Boyles

Martin Mcdonagh

Steve Mcqueen

Mike Leigh

Mark Romanek

Chris Morris

Peter Mullan

Background Information-

Film4 Productions is a British film production company owned by Channel 4. The

company has been responsible for backing a large number of films made in the

United Kingdom. The company's first production was Walter, directed by Stephen

Frears, which was released in 1982.

Before 1998, the company was identified as Channel Four Films or FilmFour International. Later, the outfit was re-branded as FilmFour, to coincide with the launch of a new Digital TV channel of the same name. The company cut its budget and staff significantly in 2002, due to mounting losses, and was re-integrated into the drama department of Channel 4.

In 2004, Tessa Ross became head of both Film4 and Channel 4 drama. The name "Film4 Productions" was introduced in 2006 to tie in with the re launch of the FilmFour broadcast channel as Film4.

What is Film 4?

“The Film4 channel is available for free to everyone with digital TV. A daily line-up of great movies guarantees a choice for every type of film fan. We showcase a wide range of titles, including the best of British film-making, US independent films, Hollywood blockbusters, mainstream drama and comedy, guilty pleasures, foreign films and cult cinema. You'll also find special features, in-depth interviews and exclusive programming.” – Film 4 Website “We don't just show great films - we make them too. Film4 Productions is the feature film commissioning department of Channel 4. We develop and co-finance a slate of smart and distinctive feature films like the Academy Award winning Slumdog Millionaire, Mike Leigh's Happy Go Lucky and Shane Meadows' This Is England. Visit the Film4 Productions section of the site for information, features, interviews and video clips of the films we make.” – Film 4 Website

Rebecca Chapman

Films-

- Four Lions - East Is East - This Is England - Another Year - Never Let Me Go - The Last King Of Scotland - NED’s

Success-

5 Oscars in the past 4 years 3 BAFTA’s in 2007 alone Reaching 8.3 million ABC1’s a month Upmarket (42%) Male (55%)

Facts-

-They rely on sponsorship and commercial input for their funding -In 2006 the channel moved from pay TV to being free to air allowing more free access to home grown blockbuster films -Big change in 2002, Financial worries lead to a need to boost annual investment through third party partnerships -2011, Channel 4 budget rise of 50% to £15M per year -Film 4 make around 6 films per year -WarpX, low budget studio, digital production house -Set to take a pioneering role in explaining the digital, online arena through film 4.0