Boosts to UK Film Industry
1 Jul 2014 12:50 PM
UK
film industry booms thanks to government investment in creative
industries
Government’s commitment to attracting inward
investment from the creative industries has secured another coup, with the news
that Warner Bros is to build three new state-of-the-art sound stages at Warner
Bros. Studios Leavesden, just 2 years after opening for
business.
Since opening its doors in June 2012 after investing
over £100m in redeveloping the site, the facility has been consistently
near capacity. The construction of three new sound stages, (comprising one
35,000ft2 and two 17,000ft2) will make the UK an even more attractive
destination for productions from around the world.
The
news comes on the same day as production began on a new Tarzan action adventure
film, starring Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Samuel L Jackson, Christoph
Waltz and directed by David Yates, director of the last four Harry Potter
films. The film will join Warner Bros.’ Pan, directed by Joe Wright,
which has been filming in the UK since 28th April 2014.
The
announcement comes ahead of an industry reception tonight, hosted by the Prime
Minster and Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, which will remind potential
investors just how much the UK has to offer the creative industries sector,
both here and abroad.
The
Government’s substantial tax reliefs for the film, TV, animation and
videogames sectors, combined with recent investment of more than £20m in
skills and training for the next generation has provided a huge boost to the
industry. Over the last 3 years, employment within the creative industries has
grown at 5 times the rate of the wider economy, and the sector generates more
than £8m an hour for the UK. And Government is determined to ensure this
success continues.
Reinforcing the huge role that the UK’s creative
industries are playing in driving growth, and the Government’s commitment
to creating the perfect environment for this dynamic sector to flourish in, the
Government is unveiling new measures aimed at fostering continued growth within
the sector, including:
- The
launch of the UKTI
Creative Industries International Strategy which aims to double the
value of creative industries exports to £31 billion, double the amount of
creative services companies that export, and drive increased inward investment
to the UK’s creative industries – all by 2020. The strategy sets
out a five-year action plan for Government and industry to bring greater
prominence to the creative industries at home and abroad. Aims include
establishing new international partnerships and alliances, maximising overseas
supply chain opportunities in major global projects for creative businesses,
and focusing inward investment on key centres of UK creative
excellence.
- Slashing red tape by removing the unnecessary
requirement to apply for planning permission for location filming. This will
facilitate filming inside of buildings and outside on land including the
construction of sets, subject to a prior approval by the local planning
authority. We will be consulting on this shortly.
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said:
For
years the UK has been at the cutting edge of the creative industries –
and we want that to be the case for decades to come. This comes back to two
things – and the two things that I see being as the most important in my
job. One: promoting our culture. Music, film and television help inspire young
kids and bring our country together – so I will always back those
industries. And two: our long-term economic plan. The announcements today, and
the reception tonight, are about securing investment, creating new well-paid
jobs and opportunities, and helping us build that brighter, better future in
our country.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said:
British talent, services and products are in high demand
around the world and our £71 billion creative sector is one of the
UK’s most important industries, employing thousands of people across the
country.
UKTI’s new international strategy builds on the
UK’s global reputation for innovation and quality by setting a goal to
double creative exports, double the number of creative companies that trade and
establishing the UK as the favoured location for inward investment for the
creative industries sector, creating long term jobs and building a stronger
economy.
Josh Berger CBE, President, Warner Bros
said:
The
UK is known for world class creativity and innovation, and some of Warner
Bros.’ greatest successes have been produced here with British talent, at
the studios we’re continuing to invest in and grow. Today we’re
delighted to be reinforcing our commitment to the UK creative industries
through the expansion of our studios and the announcement that our highly
anticipated Tarzan action adventure film will be shooting
there.
These announcements form a key part of Creative Industry
Week - #CreateUK – a DCMS-led initiative to shine a spotlight on the
success of the industry and its extraordinary contribution to the growth of the
UK economy. Together with the industry, we’re using #CreateUK to champion
the success of the sector, explore the employment opportunities and look at
what makes the UK’s creative industries so exceptional. The week includes
video interviews, Twitter debates, blogs and graphics. Find out how you can get
involved.
Further information