Independent Production Company Research

Film4 Productions is an independent production company. It released it's first film, 'Walter', in 1982, the year Film4 Productions was founded. 'Walter' recieved high acclaim and was nominated for two BAFTAs. Since then, Film4 Productions has produced large amounts of films. These include big budget films, which meant it sometimes had to work with other companies. For example, '12 Years A Slave' (2013), 'Youth' (2015) and 'The Spirit Of '45' (2013). It, however, is often difficult for an independent company to independently run itself. Consequently, Film4 Productions often finds itself under the influence of larger companies that it might rely apon for most of their films.

 

Prior to 1998, the company was identified as Channel Four Films or FilmFour International. Later, the outfit was re-branded as FilmFour, to coincide with the launch of a new Digital TV channel of the same name. The company cut its budget and staff significantly in 2002, due to mounting losses, and was re-integrated into the drama department of Channel 4. The name "Film4 Productions" was introduced in 2006 to tie in with the relaunch of the FilmFour broadcast channel as Film4. Since then the logo used for the television channel Film4 is also the one used for Film4 Productions.

 

In 2002, Film4 had been taking massive losses and so cut it's budget and staff significantly. It was then integrated as part of a department of Channel 4. On it's own, Film4 has produced significant films incuding 'Ex Machina' (2015), 'Mr. Turner' (2014), 'Seven Psychopaths' (2012) and '127 Hours' (2010) and has worked with numerous famous actors, such as Benedict Cumberbath, and reknowned directors, such as Danny Boyle. By working with these people, Film4 Productions has created a good reputation for itself in the film industry and, as a result, is often responsible for creating very successful, though generally not blockbuster status, films.