Cast of SCD USA

Screen

The UK has a flourishing screen industry, with world-class expertise in animation, film and television.

Animation

Animation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creative endeavour and technical development in the UK. Consisting of a workforce that stretches across many of the sectors in the creative & media industries, it is dynamic, innovative and increasingly enjoys global recognition.

The UK has more than 300 animation companies, employing some 4,700 people nationwide. There are distinct and highly successful centres of animation production excellence throughout the country, including Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, London and Manchester, all of them possessing an abundance of highly qualified and nurtured talent.

Many of the UK’s animation studios offer internationally renowned expertise in a wide range of specialisms, including pre-school storytelling and design animation and short-film animation.

Notable examples include Aardman Animations’ Wallace & Gromit series, which has won a string of Oscars and is loved by millions of people around the world.

The UK, a powerhouse for creativity and technology in animation, is also a world leader in producing computer-generated (CG) animation for computer and video games, such as the groundbreaking Tomb Raider, as well as CG visual effects for feature films, such as Avatar and the Harry Potter series.

Film

The UK film industry is a true international success story, renowned for its innovative ideas, creativity and skills.

The diversity and quality of UK films and industry talent resonate across borders, cultures and societies, winning respect, audiences and awards all over the world.

In 2010, the UK film share of global cinema takings was 14 per cent (US$4.5 billion), up from 7 per cent in 2009. UK film exports came to an all-time high of just under £1.5 billion in 2009, up from £1.3 billion in 2008. Exports in 2009 were 111 per cent higher than in 2001.

The reach of UK talent goes further than British films, as UK actors, directors and writers work on films produced across the globe. Ten of the top 20 global box-office successes of the last 10 years are based on novels by UK writers, more than half of the top 200 films released worldwide since 2001 have featured UK actors in lead or prominent supporting roles, while 21 have had UK directors.

The UK, one of the world’s most desirable locations for shooting, provides a film-friendly environment for all productions, at both the pre and post stage. The industry benefits from one of the most generous tax-relief systems in the world, and also enjoys logistical and financial support and services from the EU and public bodies.

As a result, the UK is an international leader in film production, with its 100-plus studios excelling at everything from independent and blockbuster features to shorts and from animation and drama to documentaries.

Recognised as being one of the few places in the world that have the skills, equipment and technologies required to produce major Hollywood movies, the UK is also regularly involved in successful co-productions, working in partnership and collaboration with counterparts around the globe.

In addition, the industry has an extremely successful post-production sector, whose substantial and highly skilled workforce provides sound, graphics, music and the physical and visual effects for productions across the world.

The performance of UK film industry talent has been recognised by numerous academy and festival awards. Some 261 awards were received between 2001-2010 (14 per cent of the awards made) at the major international events such as the Academy Awards, the BAFTA Film Awards, and the Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Venice film festivals.

Television

The UK television industry has an unrivalled international reputation for the quality, quantity, creativity and diversity of its programming.

Offering hundreds of terrestrial, digital, satellite and cable TV channels, the UK produces thousands of hours of domestic content each year – much of which is exported overseas.

The UK is second only to the USA as an exporter of programming hours. The estimated total revenue from the international sale of UK TV programmes and associated activities in 2010 was £1.42 billion, up 13 per cent on 2009. Comedy, crime and factual finished programming are key areas of UK TV expertise.

The strength of the UK TV production sector is a key factor behind the growth in UK TV exports. It comprises over 1,500 successful and innovative independent TV production companies, many of them specialising in different genres, who make programmes to be sold to the major broadcasters. They are supported by the world-class expertise of UK distributors.

Series such as Spooks, Sherlock, Life on Mars, Doctor Who, Kitchen Nightmares and Midsomer Murders have secured unprecedented success in the international arena, as have innovative formats such as The X Factor, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing on Ice and Top Gear.

The UK is the global leader in TV formats. The overseas production of UK TV formats grew to £81 million in 2010 – a 119 per cent increase on the previous year. Comedy, crime and factual finished programming are other key areas of UK TV expertise.

The profits that such programmes generate are often boosted by highly successful ranges of spin-off products, such as DVDs, books and websites, which are enjoyed and accessed by people all over the world.

The UK television industry, which is known worldwide for its pioneering spirit, looks set to go from strength to strength, thanks to its embracing of the latest technology. The UK was the first country to launch digital TV services in 1998 and is the world’s most advanced digital TV market, with all platforms being utilised and explored.

Useful publications

• Screen export guide

• Digital media export guide

Forthcoming industry events

• Screen industry events 2011-12

• Events in the creative and media sectors