The Film Industry

The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of film making: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other films crew.

Though the expense involved in making movies almost immediately led film production to concentrate under the support of standing production companies, advances in affordable film making equipment, and expansion of opportunities to acquire investment capital from outside the film industry itself, have allowed independent film production to evolve. The major business centres of film making are in the United States, Hong Kong and India. In Europe, France, Germany and United Kingdom are the countries that lead movie production.

Separate from the centres are the locations where movies are filmed. Because of labour and infrastructure costs, many films are produced in countries other than the one in which the company which pays for the film is located. For example, many U.S. and Indian movies are filmed in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or in Eastern European countries.

Film production in the UK has experienced a number of booms and recessions. Although many factors can be used to measure the success of the industry, the number of British films produced each year gives an overview of its development: the industry experienced a boom as it first developed in the 1910s, but during the 1920s it experienced a recession caused by US competition and commercial practices. The Cinematography Films Act 1927 introduced protective measures, leading to recovery and an all-time production high of 192 films in 1936. Although production levels give an overview, the history of British cinema is complex, with various cultural movements developing independently. Some of the most successful films were made during 'recessions', such as Chariots of Fire (1981). The film industry remains an important earner for the British economy. According to a UK Film Council press release of 20 January 2011, £1.115 billion was spent on UK film production during 2010.