Hints and Tips

Training and skills development in all areas are all essential if the UK film industry is to remain competitive in a changing marketplace.

Skillset will be making a range of training and information resources available through this website, including online seminars, briefing documents, factsheets, survival guides, and materials from our events for those who missed them.

Available in this section now are:

advice for freelancers on managing their finances, covering themselves legally and progressing in the industry;
transcriptions of previous Skillset events and masterclasses;
authoritative industry research into employment demographics, workforce conditions and skill levels; and
useful links to sources of high quality news and reference information.

Understanding Development

"You need three things to make a good movie: a good script, a good script and a good script" - Alfred Hitchcock.

Film Speak

Know your Bolex from your Barney with our glossary of film industry terms.

Introduction to Understanding Accounts

All companies in the UK have to prepare annual accounts conforming to certain legal requirements and standard accounting practices. Interpreting these accounts is crucial to obtaining a clear understanding of the company's financial health and future prospects. If you are a director of a company, you are responsible for the accounts of that company.

Talent Deals and Participation

When agreeing to contingent compensation payments for talent (ie. payments related to how the film performs in the market), never commit to a deal that involves paying out a proportion of revenues or a bonus payment unless you have control over those revenues or can pass on the payment obligation to the person who does.

Legal considerations in setting up and running a company

People dislike using lawyers, but tend to make expensive mistakes if they don't. The secret to making best use of lawyers is to know when to use them in order to get best value from their advice.

The Role of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

The DCMS works closely with the UK Film Council and other industry bodies to help create a strong film industry that brings cultural and economic benefits to the UK.

Film and PR - Festivals and Markets, Press Management

PR is the catalyst between those who want to say something and those who want to hear it. Important for people to work with the press to get their message across, rather than against them.

Agents and Managers

Agents tend to have an extensive knowledge of all the key people in the industry and can use this knowledge to help producers bring projects together if they are involved early enough in the development process.

The Exhibitor's Perspective

Exhibitors are the conduit to the customer. Film Makers need to think about how production decisions affect the way their film will play in cinemas - they shouldn't rely on distributors to provide that link to the audience for them.

Business Affairs

The independent producer should never commit to pay contingent compensation deals out of revenues over which they have no control. It is important to ensure that any such deals are based on the producer's share of revenues.

Business Affairs Considerations in Film and Development

When acquiring rights in original material, producers should always try to acquire as many rights as possible and must always be clear about what they are paying for, how much, and what happens in the event that the film goes into turnaround.

The European Union and Cinema

Europe offers a huge opportunity for British film makers. Traditionally, British films have performed better in Europe than in the US. Financial support is available at EU level mainly for development and distribution. The EU aims to promote cultural diversity by safeguarding the ability to support cinema through aid mechanisms.

Trade Press

Film industry professionals should read the trade press for reliable, accurate and well sourced information and see it as a conduit for informing other decision makers about what they are doing.

Exploring Alternative Financing Structures

New financing structures will encourage investors to see film as a yield product giving ongoing returns and not just as a vehicle for generating tax losses. The key is to create equity partnerships which invest through risk-managed structures in a slate of films over a defined period.

Utilising Fiscal Incentives including Sale and Leaseback

Encouraged by successful sale and leaseback schemes, private investors are becoming increasingly interested in investing in the film industry.

Copyright clearances in Film

Copyright is an intangible right granted by statute to the author or originator of certain literary or artistic productions. It is important to ensure that all under-lying rights which may be implicated by the film are adequately acquired or licensed to give the production company the absolute, incontestable right to exploit the film.

From the idea to the Screen

Building a career in the movies is not easy - but it is doable. You have to be prepared to invest in yourself and stick to your chosen path if you are going to make it.

Introduction to Corporate Finance

The key to unlocking any corporate finance, be it debt or equity, is to have a good business plan. The most important elements of the business plan are the credibility and track records of the key players and the cash flow forecast.

International Home Entertainment Markets

Although the spectacular growth in the DVD market is likely to continue for a few years to come, revenues are being tightly squeezed as prices are driven down by increased competition. This could have implications for the DVD market and the whole of the value chain over the next few years.

The US Home Entertainment Market

The enormous growth in consumer acceptance and purchasing of the DVD format, combined with the home theatre phenomenon, has elevated the importance of the home entertainment sector within the film industry. Studios factor in potential revenues from this highly profitable source when making decisions on new movie projects.

Overview of International Film Markets and Theatrical Distribution

Marketing has to be tailored to each individual territory that you are distributing in. It is imperative that you understand the customs, preferences and idiosyncracies of each market if you are to maximise revenues.

Music Publishing and Soundtracks

When clearing music rights for films the three most important factors are to start the process as early as possible; get all clearances in writing before shooting begins; and always check with the publisher if you are in any doubt about the status of a particular piece of music.

The French System and Managing Co-productions

The environment for film producers in France is very favourable compared to the UK. It is not unusual for French films to cover almost their entire budget from their domestic market, with any international sales representing a surplus.

Talent Relationships and Packaging/the Evolution of a Major Production Label

Finding decent scripts and then developing them properly is the key to success. No film has ever suffered for taking too long in development.

A Director's Perspective

If you remember one thing from this session make it this: Hollywood increasingly caters for the young audience who can "open" the film by turning up in large numbers on the opening weekend. These films are star-driven: a handful of leading actors effectively determine which films get made.

The Role of the Media Analyst and Overview of Financial Markets

Share prices are more often set on the basis of ignorance than knowledge. It is the analyst's job to make sure that they bring together all the information that they possibly can when evaluating companies within the media sector.

The Role of the UK Film Council

The British films that tend to work best are those that retain a British or European sensibility and do things that Hollywood cannot do. All the Departments of the UK Film Council are committed to helping British film makers make these films and deliver them to the widest possible audience.

The Role of the UK Distributor

Nobody knows where the hits are going to come from. But if you believe in a project - and give it the appropriate backing - it will perform.

What UK producers need to know - but dont want to know

Producing the film is only one third of the job: the other two thirds are marketing and understanding "the numbers". Unless producers understand all three aspects of the business they are unlikely to be successful.

Introduction to independent Film Financing

Raising finance for independent productions is getting increasingly difficult, with both international sales and television licences generating less revenue than before. In these market conditions, most independent producers end up having to give away most of their potential upside in order to get their film financed.

US Agents and Managers

Great scripts will be identified and made into films. The trick is knowing how to get the right people to see your great script.

The Role of the Bank: Help or Hindrance to the Creative Process?

Although risk-averse when it comes to equity investment in individual film projects, banks can offer a variety of essential services to film makers and distributors, from running production accounts to financing both single pictures and slates of films.

Completion Guarantees

It is most important that the producer and guarantor have an open and honest relationship. The producer should let the guarantor know immediately if anything happens that threatens their ability to deliver the film as agreed.

US Studio's Satellite Operations

UK producers need to understand what the studios are looking for and make sure that when they pitch their projects, they are concise, precise and clear about what they are selling.

The Role of the Broadcaster in Feature Film

Most recent British film successes have been unpredictable - their success could not have been foretold simply from reading the script. The key to success is to learn to suspend disbelief and identify the potential that lies beyond the script.

Major Studios - How they Work and How to Work with Them

The studios are essentially about the distribution business. They seek relationships with producers who can deliver good quality films which engage audiences in new and exciting ways.

Revenue Flow and Making Money out of Film

The value chain in the Film Business is a long and complex one. Fully understanding the value chain and associated deal process is an important first step to becoming a successful player.

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