Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (1936)

72 COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 19 May, 1936. | 'Mr. S. H. Cole, Mr. D. Dickinson and Mr. G. H. Elvin. [Contui m ./. " Thinking it would be in the evening show at that hour, he sat through the entire programme, and having failed to notice his production in tin' procession, asked the manager where it was. " ' Oh, that ', said the manager, ' we show that at ten in the morning ! ' " .My friend is now wondering if any but charwomen will ever see his film. " This particular film received quite good notices in the trade Press, whereby hangs a tale, because alien companies are not in the habit of showing their quota films to Fleet Street critics. # * * " One famous lay Press critic, whose name I do not mention, because film critics, in these days, have to tread delicately, said to me: 'It is unfortunate that we are not allowed to see these quota films at their trade show, because we miss the work of the young directors who show promise, and the players who might be worth encouraging. If we want to see them we have to make very exact inquiries as to where they can be seen, and then attend theatres under difficult conditions and at extraordinary hours. Quota film production is clearly a great school of rising talent, but the lay Press has been successfully ringed-of from it.' " It would be interesting to know how many quota film producers have received more than one advance from alien companies on account of the cost of production. " If the film does not reach the theatres, then obviously the contract which entitles the producer to a percentage of the receipts — after the distributor has deducted expenses and cost of prints ! — becomes void. " One quota film producer showed me a list of a dozen films on which up to that time the first advance had been the last. He was not entitled to further payment until the percentage of gross bookings due to him exceeded the advance, plus distributor's expenses and cost of prints. " Instances can be given of films costing as much as £30,000 not having received London presentation at all, and of their exhibition in America having been delayed by two years. * * * " Out in Hollywood there is a former director of British films who has had to organise a publicity service to explain why the films which followed him from this country to America are so much out of date. " One alien distributor who contracts for the production of quota films on a considerable scale has never <>ven been inside the studio in which the films are made for him. " The duty of our Government in this matter is as plain as a searchlight. ' They should introduce into the Act clauses which will compel the alien companies to observe the law in the spirit as well as in the letter. " They should extend the Act for another ten years and enforce a minimum expenditure of £15,000 per film, under conditions that will ensure quality and guarantee exhibition. " Thus only can the important industry which the Act was designed to call into existence be protected ". 4. Salaries and Working Conditions. The present Act tends towards low salaries and had working conditions lor those employed by the smaller companies in the production of "Quickies." Renters engaged on such films generally cause technicians to work excessive hours — 1.") hours a day or even longer is not unusual; a seven-day week is a common practice; meal rests are often conspicuous by their absence or remembered for their brevity; and illogical restriction of expenditure is frequent. To meet the above criticism, and generally to strengthen, in the, new Act. the original intention ol the C.F.A., 1927, the Association of Cine-Technicians makes the following suggestions: — Suggested Clauses for inclusion in the Amended Act. (i) expenditure. (a) < 'ost of Film. There should be a minimum expenditure clause. The Association of Cine-Technicians suggests tint no picture of 6,000 feet or over should be eligible for quota unless it has cost at least £12,000. Film.-; of less than 6,000 feet in length should cost a minimum of £2 per foot. We exclude from this suggestion the classes of short film which we suggest should be eligible for quota in Section IV of this statement. As there are many ways by which the cost of pictures can be adjusted — for example, by subsidiary companies and interlocking of directorates — it iessential that there be stipulations as to the maximum expenditure on certain major costs of production, such as salaries, particularly artists and highly paid persons who may have an interest in the company, overheads and company directors' remuneration, to ensure that the £12.000 is really spent on production. It is suggested that it be stipulated that not more than 30 per cent, of the cost of a film should be spent on company directors' fees, preliminary expenses, overheads, film directors' fees, and story and scenario. The production manager of one of the biggest British studios, who is a member of the association, has drawn up, based upon his experiences, an estimated schedule of expenditure on a picture costing about £12.000. The costs are based upon five week-' studio work. It is appreciated that expenses under any one head will vary somewhat according to the type of production, and minimum and maximum expenditures of all items are therefore given. It will be noted that the figures are £4.000 under, and £4.000 over, respectively, the suggested minimum cost of £12,000, .which gives ample elasticity on cost according to the type of production. Minimum. Maximum. Studio rent and equipment Electricians and electricity Set and Labour, including furniture and pro] is Make-up artists and material ... Original story and scenario Preliminary expenses and overheads Camera crew Production Manager's Department (including buyer) . ... Art Director and Assistant Director and assistants Continuity and other floor staff Sound crew Film stock and lamp charges ... Cost and extras ... Insurance ... ... 1.500 3.000 350 500 1,000 2.500 175 300 251 1 1.000 251 1 750 250 400 150 300 200 400 1.000 1.500 50 15H 200 350 1.000 2.000 1 .500 2,500 L75 350 68,050 £16.000 (b) Sidaiii S, While approving of a clause similar to S. 27. 3 (IV), it is felt that tin large proportion of manual and semi-manual labour required en a production must have saved many a company from breaking the 75 per cent. British salaries stipulation and on occasions a " star's " salary has been suddenly increased in order to keep on the right side of the \rt. Wages paid to carpenters, electricians, etc.. who would lie British employees anyway, should not he eligible for inclusion in such a salaries clause,