How do films get investment and funding so that they can be produced

How do films get investment and funding so that they can be produced?

Made in Dangenham

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Three key elements of project development by Stephen Woolley.

• Bringing different people into the circle of developing the film, as he realised you cannot simply jsut go and make a film. He found his co-producer to produce the film.
• He then went to film four and got hold of a contact for a script writer they all liked.
• Once the script writer has accepted his invite to produce the film, he then went on to research the history of the story line.

FINANCE

What factors do you think motivated the different organisations to contribute to the film's financing?
The script was so well homed, and they worked so hard on it, so it caused great attention. So much research went into the script writing.

Can you name and describe the involvement of different funding bodies?
BBC- Jumped at the opportunity because of the good scripting and wanted to fund the film. 
Paramount- Also loved the scripting, 
Hanway- They brought on Hanway, to pre sell the film to other countries. They chose whether they wanted to  pre buy the film based upon the directors, actors etc.
UK film council- 
Sony pictures classic- Strong great reputation 
All of these funded into the film because of costing of the production and making of the film. Things such as vehicles and costumes etc, so that they can produce a film that is set in the right era/ period of time (1968). They needed the funding because all of the production is very costly. It came to about 6 millions pounds together. 

What impact does the fact that the film is set in the past have  upon the cost of the film?
It ha a huge impact because they practically have to buy a whole different environment. Although 1968 doesn't sound very long ago, it is. Times change very quickly. They have to buy things from different style of shoes to a whole new lamp post. 

What other elements of film making impact on the budget?
Due to new technology the budget of the film can be cut down. This is because of things like editing and colourisation. We can not edit things to show what we do not want to be shown or we do want to be shown. For example for Made in Dangenham, they would have had to edit out satellites/ any new technology that the 1960s/1970s would not have. And colourisation is used for things like wanting to film in West Ham Stadium but not having the funding to pay for it, we can simply edit it and colourise it to allow it to meet today's television standards.

CASTING

What qualities did the filmmakers want to highlight in the character of Rita?
They wanted Rita to be strong. They didn't want her to be stroppy, just fairly ordinary. Ordinary mother with children, who has to multitask. Someone who could multitask without questioning, and happy to multitask her children, husband and job. Very warm and out going. 

How does Stephen Woolley describe Sally Hawkins' star image as having an impact upon casting decisions? 
Stephen Woolley describe Sally Hawkins' as having a warm outgoing personality. Someone you want to protect. A very Generous and lovely person, and can't she cannot stop that from coming out in the role. Sally has innocence within her personality  which helps with the character Rita because she was pushed into what she has to do, wakening from innocence to Ford and male domination. Therefore the character also needed to be very strong but have all these kinda, warm hearted things about her and Sally fit all of these characteristics.

Why is it important for the audiences to identify with the main character and how might this be achieved?
It is important for the audience to identity with the main character because the film is set in such a different time setting, the majority of the audience may not understand how it was in 1968. So this is down to the personality and acting of the main character, so they can express their feelings enough so that the audience can understand and interact with the film.

THE PRODUCER 

What are the key roles of a producer?
A producer does 'everything and nothing'. One of the things you have to be is a catalyst you are the one who takes action with the whole product .They must be independent, good with money/finance and have great control over everything. Usually very hands on. 

What are the challenges faced by a producer?
Money is a big thing that is faced by the producer, money only happens if you're making the film. Therefore the producer needs to take action. For example you have to keep everything going, you can see the money coming from all directions but sometimes you may be short, and may think you have it covered until someone is asking for their money. A producer would have to face this challenge and deal with it by getting that money some how. 



http://www.filmeducation.org/madeindagenham/stephen_wooley.html