The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

42 CINE TECHNICIAN March 1955 Guest speaker at A.C.T. A.G.M. was Mr. D. Kingsley, N.F.F.C, whose speech is summarised below IN the calendar years 1951 and 1952 the National Film Finance Corporation assisted in the finance of approximately 70% of the British films which showed as first features on the three major circuits. In 1953 the proportion fell to 56%, and last year it dropped to 47%. This reduction in the proportion of major films financed by the Corporation is a healthy sign. The total volume of production has not decreased; but producers are in a position to find their own end money in many instances. The Corporation has also assisted the production of second features and shorts on a considerable scale. BRITISH Lion Films Ltd, is a commercial organisation, set up under the auspices of N.F.F.C. to supplement the distribution facilities which already exist in the industry. It seems desirable at the moment for the new company to retain ownership (through British Lion Studio Co. Ltd.) of Shepperton Studios. British Lion is thenfore directly concerned in providing a full load for Shepperton Studios, and must give special consideration to films to be made at that Studio. In this sort of way its policy may well differ from that of N.F.F.C. But it will not itself produce films; it will give 70', guarantees. Finance, distribution and studio facilities are therefore available to independent producers with a record of success and with good projects. The initiative lies with the producers. . . . • WE must, of course, look ahead and plan. The industry must assess the volume of studio space required, and if necessary be prepared to erect more stages. But there would not seem to be any clear case for favouring films made for theatrical distribution at the expense of films to be made for television. It is certainly not the role of N.F.F.C. to make such a decision. N.F.F.C. is empowered under its constitution to finances the production of television films; but no such loans have been made since 1949, and none is under discussion. In our opinion, the future of the production side of the industry depends on the full exploitation of both channels oi distribution. The Quota sets the minimum. _ not the maximum volume of British production for theatrical distribution. If creative talent exists for the production of more films of good quality, N.F.F.C. will help to finance them. But N.F.F.C. operates within certain restrictions. The President of the Board of Trade made this clear when he addressed the A.C.T. last year. He said : " I want to utter a word of warning. There is a limit to the amount of public money that can be afforded in financing film production." Further restrictions are imposed by the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Act of 1949, under which the Corporation operates. We can only lend to persons having " reasonable expectations of being able to arrange for the production or distribution of cinematograph films on a commercially successful basis." As a result, the Corporation has to be selective. In any event, concentration on quantity at the expense of quality would be contrary to the interests of the industry as a whole. WHAT about the new man who is trving to get going? In general, the Corporation exists to provide finance which is not available from normal sources, and this presupposes that there exists in the industry producers, creative talent and technicians who are not being emploved to the best advantage. The Corporation's main concern is to ensure that any experienced producer of good standing, with a good project, is not prevented from making his film through lack of loan capital. It is not the Corporation's primary object to seek out and develop new talent and to give opportunities to inexperienced personnel. . . As in other industries, new men in the top grades will emerge by starting: at the bottom and working their way up within the existing commercial organisations. Nevertheless, in financing Group 3 the Corporation has recognised the importance in this industry of giving sn°eial encouragement to new creative ta'ent. As a training organisation Group 3 has a record of success, particularly in giving opnortunities to voung directors . . . The importance nf cultivating new talent particularly in a creative industry cannot be over-emphasised, and we should all co-operate in encoura»im> newcomers . . . Unfortunately, GrouD 3 has had considerable financial troubles, and the Board has now decided to abandon its policy of continuous production. It is difficult enough for any production organisation to maintain a continuous programme. It is particularly difficult for Group 3, being dependent on new talent. It is now apparent that the type of middle budget picture which is most appropriate for the training of new directors is not suited to the present pattern of exhibition. • THE Board of Group 3 has, therefore decided that it will only go on the floor when suitable projects present themselves. . . . The introduction of new blood on both the creative and technical side of the industry has never been more important. With the expansion of the production of films for television, there should be little danger of unemployment, and this presents a great opportunity for the recruitment of new men with new ideas. Such ideas may come from the makers of specialised films, from the theatre, from overseas; even from television. There is so often a crisis in the film industry that one gets into the habit of thinking that a crisis must always exist. But I am not aware of any crisis at the moment. The film production industry's main problem is that the demand for films may soon outstrip its productive resources. This is surely a healthy position for any industry, and with co-operation on all sides it should not be difficult for the production side of the industry to overcome its day-to-day problems and differences. ELECTED FOR COMING YEAR Anthony Asquith (unopposed). President; Stan Warbey (unopposed), Treasurer. Teresa Bolland (135 votes), Jim Garrett (122 votes), Max Anderson (115 votes I, Frank Fuller (148 votes) and Kenneth Gordon (unopposed) were elected Vice-Presidents for the various sections. Trustees elected were Colin Bell (117 votes) and Geoffrey Bell (124 votes). For the General Council nonlabs section Ralph Bond (148 votes), Chris Brunei (162 votes i. Sidney Cole (161 votes). Sash Fisher (149 votes), Harold Hanscombe (125 votes i. R. J. Minney (117 votes). Ivor Montague (139 votes), Fred Swann (122 votes) and Charles Wheeler (173 votes) were elected. For the labs section, Alf Cooper (135 votes). George Irons (175 votes). Jack Macintosh (109 votes), Len Runkel (124 votes), Ray Sharpe (105 votes) and Monica Toye (85 votes) were elected.