Some decisions beggar belief. At a time when new and emerging film makers need all the support they can get the governments decision to abolish the film council reeks of short sightedness and political expediency.
I write this as someone who has never received a penny from my local screen agency (North West Vision and Media), but I have had their support and advice for my projects and recently have been offered completion money for a film I managed to get privately funded.
The point though is not just about the money, but the support. Having attended many of the script development weekends I can honestly say these were of more benefit than any amount of money thrown towards me. The staff at my local agency have always been ready to listen, offer advice and critiques of any work submitted.
I can’t imagine the consequences this is going to have on the UK film making community as a whole let alone here in the North West.
I think one of the biggest consequences will be of lost creative voices, and diluting of what types of films will be made in the future. I see a future of low risk and lowbrow British films on the horizon.
I think that we as film makers are going to have to get even more creative and maverick in how we get our films made and seen
