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

134 COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 30 June, 1936.] Mr. J. Geierson. [Contin ued. socially or culturally would have the effect of improving the relationship between cinemas and the public and strengthening the position of the trade still further. I have urged this for some years and nave received a considerable amount of agreement from eminent showmen, but I do not pretend that it is an argument ordinarily maintained by exhibitors. This, however, is apparent, that the risks of largescale production and exhibition do not permit any other than the safest possible entertainment formulae. In the shorts field greater risks and a larger measure of experiment are possible, to the ultimate benefit of producer and exhibitor alike. A great and developing trade like cinema requires this measure of experiment. Its principals have very rightly pointed out to critics that their first duty is to the large-scale capital and wide publics of the major film business. The encouragement of the short film suggests a sensible way of meeting the difficulty. 14. National Grounds. I have purposely emphasised the advantages to the film trade of the development of the shorts field as this I take it must be a first consideration. But the national advantages of the shorts policy proposed are also important : — (a) The need for training British nationals and making the film trade essentially British in character has been to some extent lost sight of in the hectic progress of the past few years. At present a large number of able young men stand on the doorstep of the industry. The need for experts, and the tendency to rely on made reputations, which at present prevail in the expensive atmosphere of the studios, have tended to keep the door barred to many promising but inexpert young men. It is one of the more disagreeable experiences of my own unit that so many able young men have constantly to be sent away. (b) The shorts field has already in its documentary section demonstrated how different aspects of the national life can be described and brought alive, and there is no way so quick and sure for presenting the face of the country to non-British audiences. Large films must rely so much on the play, and the story film is so unrelated to reality, that if the ordinary working and traditions of the national life are to be presented, one must look mainly to the shorts field for their presentation. (c) A large and continuous supply of such films would have beneficial influence in Empire and foreign countries. The Foreign Office, the Industrial Development Councils and the many other organisations concerned with the projection of Britain, and the improvement of markets would almost certainly welcome such a development. The general improvement of employment which might ensue is a factor worth noting. (</) Strength and stability in the shorts field must inevitably make for strength and stability in the field of television. The variety of subjects capable of treatment in short film form and the close kinship which must develop between film technique and radio technique under television, will make the shorts field an important training ground, source of supply and source of inspiration for the B.B.C.'s working. 15. In view ui these arguments I make the following proposals for the Committee's consideration, subject to exceptions indicated in paragraph 16: — (a) The Act should be revised to secure a shorts Quota (shorts against shorts, longs against longs). This Quota might be 20 per cent, to begin with, rising to 33j per cent. (b) Quota should apply to both renters and exhibitors. 16. The exceptions suggested are: — (a) Ncwsreels. (b) Films presented free to exhibitors. *(c) Films costing less than 7s. 6d. a foot on Form C. (d) Films in which more than 40 per cent, of the footage has been shot in foreign countries. *(e) Films, the production of which has not been executed by a registered director and a registered cameraman. 17. In explanation of 15 (b) above, the present movement to diminish renters quota is. I believe, a dangerous one. The effect of this policy would be to permit American and foreign renters to deal more or less exclusively in their own product and diminish the number of major renters handling British shorts. Competition in this matter will make for better quality, improve the market for producers, and create variety in the production policies governing the shorts film. There may, moreover, be some advantage in accustoming foreign renters and their British employees to the British article, and creating some loyalty towards it. 18. I propose that quota be allowed to films not coming within the main terms of the Act if they ■ demonstrate special exhibition value. This phrase might, in the national interests, be defined as covering films of national, Empire or cultural value. The proposals already made permit considerable freedom to films of commercial motive and it might seem advisable in this way to give a measure of special protection to films of national value. Under this clause I see the further possibility of granting quota to films not made by British nationals nor made on British locations if the Board of Trade holds that there is some national advantage in having them shown here. 19. I suggest that a special advisory committee be appointed to administer such exceptions. The weakness of the present committee is that in spite of its independent members it is largely representative of one end only of the film trade. This, though the major end, is not the only interest in a widely developing field. Shorts interests are not directly represented. It would appear to be advisable to consider the development of the film trade not only in the light of profits, but also in the light of national advantage. The increasing influence of the film on public sentiment and public opinion, and the feeling among many that the film trade is not playing its full part in promoting the national advantage, suggests that this special committee's membership might be more strongly representative of public interests. It is even possible that in its membership it should stand above commercial motives : taking account of them when necessary by reference to the interests concerned (through the main trade advisory committee). 1435 (ChainiKin) : Since we received your memorandum of evidence I understand that other points have occurred to you which you would like to bring to our notice? — (Mr. Grierson) : Yes. my Lord. 1436. Probably it would be most convenient if wo ran through those first. Will you tell us what you want to say about the shortage of short films? — There is a tendency to believe that there is a very small number of shorts available m the market. The number of shorts available is larger than is generally supposed. The number you find entered in the renters' quota list is something like 87, whereas if certain other classes were included there might be another 50 added to that number. Moreover, there are many films which are not entered into the market at all. either under renters' quota or exhibitors' quota, because of the state of the market. That figure might also be put as high as 50. I know many Dominion films are not brought into the theatrical held at all because of the state of the * Withdrawn or varied in verbal evidence.