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Directors Sound Alarm About UK Film Industry

by Zoe Strimpel
Thu, 19 Jun 2008 at 3:53 PM

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The British film industry had better do something quick or the cream of the nation's cinematic talent will flee, top dogs in the field have said in a united outpouring of concern. The warning marks a contrast to the upbeat praise of British cinema the same folks trot out for the photo ops around London Film Festival time.

But now, concerned TV and film directors have formed a group called Directors UK‚ which launched last week and has members including Paul Greengrass, director of "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "United 93," and David Yates, of the "Harry Potter" movies.

The organization's chairman, Charles Sturridge, who directed "Brideshead Revisited" for TV, told the Times of London: "The film industry needs to develop its talent or talent will go elsewhere. It is in the interests of the existing industry to encourage and support it. Otherwise, it [the industry] will lose control and its own ability to survive will be threatened."

He and his colleagues believe that the opportunities for young people wanting to make it in TV and film have dwindled since they were starting out, and that there are too few training schemes and initiatives from independent production companies. The group plans to call on the UK Film Council to invest in training for cinematic aspirants.

The directors also complain that the pay is too low for those starting out. Quite what is meant to be done about that is unclear. Sounds like a case of totally unhelpful "good old days" nostalgia. After all, the past is a different place and they do things differently there.

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