Britain's attack on film piracy crime

We are all familiar with the dodgy DVDs sold down the local pub by those Knock-off Nigel’s and the illegal downloads on the Internet but, few of us stop to contemplate the effect of film piracy and the impact it can have upon the industry we love and the professionals who work within it.

According to FACT (the Federation Against Copyright Theft) film piracy generates approximately £200 million a year at street prices for criminals and the total loss to the whole audio visual industry through copyright theft is as much as £486 million. These figures are immense and can deliver some devastating blows to the film industry.

So why do people opt for film piracy? Well, aside from the fact that many people don’t fully comprehend the consequences, the main reasons are that it offers a cheap way for people to enjoy films, meaning they don’t have to break the bank or sacrifice their want for entertainment, many people also partake in film piracy as a means of income and others do it to put themselves ahead, so they can consume new films before they’re even widely released.

Whilst it is understandable that people buy pirated DVDs because they can’t afford to buy official DVDs or see the film in the cinema, the issue needs to be considered on a wider scale. It may be the case that we have the public benefiting from cheap entertainment but, this has a negative impact on the film industry and affects the revenue it generates. If we consider that the entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing, even in a time of recession, then having its revenue affected by piracy can be damaging to the economy as a whole. This will eventually come full circle and have a further negative impact on consumers.

With this in mind, it is important to put a stop to film piracy and to protect the revenue the film industry generates.

In December 2008, film and television industry professionals took a stand against piracy as they called to the government for action against illegal online file-sharing. The UK producers, directors and writers involved in the action included Sir Alan Parker, Kenneth Branagh, Ken Loach, Lynda La Plante, David Heyman, Richard Curtis, Jim Sheridan and John Madden amongst many others. In their letter, available to view at Timesonline, they revealed that: “In 2007, an estimated 98 million illegal downloads and streams of films took place in the UK, while it is believed that more than six million people illegally file-share regularly,” and requested that the government take the issue seriously and show their support “by ensuring that internet service providers play their part in tackling this huge problem.”

Recently, further attempts have been made to tackle film piracy and these have reaped positive results. In March, the UK’s largest illegal DVD factory was closed down following a major investigation and raid on a commercial printing operation in Wembley, London. During the raid, a significant number of printing plates used to produce DVD covers were seized and four people were arrested in connection with the operation. This action is among many others that have taken place all over the UK since January, including: 5,000 counterfeit DVDs being seized from a garden shed in Surrey, a Londonderry shopkeeper being fined £200 for selling counterfeit DVDs, seven men and two women being arrested in a Glasgow counterfeit DVD factory raid where police recovered an estimated £350,000 worth of DVDs and over 100 DVD burners and then 30,000 counterfeit DVDs with a street value of over £90,000 and 150 DVD burners were seized in two separate raids in Lewisham, London.

This month we have seen the fight against piracy hit a wider scale as four people in Stockholm have been convicted, ordered to pay £3million in damages and sentenced to one year imprisonment each for breaking copyright law during their involvement with The Pirate Bay, the world’s most high-profile file-sharing website.

Also in this month’s news, we have seen the uproar caused by the leaked film download of X-Men Origins: Wolverine being reviewed before its cinema release. Fox News columnist, Roger Friedman, parted ways with Fox after posting his own review of the downloaded film and according to BBC News online, Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman is ‘heartbroken’ because of the pirated leak.

To draw on another example, we can see the potential affects piracy can have on retail if we consider Woolworths and Zavvi and how they have fallen victim to the recession, perhaps if piracy weren’t so rife, companies such as these would stand more chance of survival.

These examples emphasise the extent to which film piracy is at large and, in the case of Hugh Jackman, Zavvi and Woolworths, it shows how professionals and even retailers are affected.

The authorities are of course constantly on the lookout for piracy but, attempts are also made to reach out and discourage people before they become too involved.

For a long time, the film industry have targeted consumers with harsh advertisements telling them that piracy is a crime and comparing it to stealing a car and such like. Now, they have changed tactics and are adopting a softer and more appreciative approach to film fans. The new adverts hold a positive message and thank the cinema goers for supporting film and television in the UK. This is a very interesting technique and time will tell if it is any more effective than previous advertising messages.

All things considered, I feel piracy is still a huge issue and the potential it has to damage the economy is immense. More needs to be done to make people aware of the effects of film piracy and perhaps consumers need to be educated about it from a younger age to discourage them from becoming involved. The strong stand against film piracy must continue to grow if the UK film industry is to prosper.

Summertime: It's all about the blockbusters

Summer is fast approaching and that means we are soon to be faced with the lovely summer rays (we hope), fun days out at the beach and a whole host of box office hits.

Yes, summer is the time of year when the film companies battle it out to see who can achieve the biggest blockbuster and this summer is no different as we have some solid contenders emerging onto the big screen.

From next month, we will see the madness begin as Disney launch the first challenger, Hannah Montana (released 1st May), a film adapted from the small screen about a girl leading a secret double life as a pop star that will be a huge hit with teenage girls everywhere. With it appealing to a limited audience it is unlikely to blow us all away but, the kids will love it. Next we have Angels and Demons (released 14th May) the sequel to The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks; there hasn’t been much hype about this one yet but, it might be a dark horse. May also sees the release of Night at the Museum 2 (released 22nd May), and this one’s probably going to be a bit of a stab in the dark. Yes, the first movie was entertaining enough but, do we want to see another one? Not really. Definitely not a contender for the summer 2009 blockbuster title although, again it will be a hit with the kids.

June sees the film industry up their game as Terminator: Salvation is released on 3rd June and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is released on 24th June. It’s lucky these two are spaced apart as the battle between them is going to be fierce. These will be a huge hit with the blokes and even the ladies might like to get in on the action. I have my doubts about Terminator though, it just won’t be the same for most people without Arnie on screen.

July brings yet more kid’s films just in time for their school holidays. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is released on 1ST July and is guaranteed to be one of the favourites this summer as it follows the misfit group of friends through another historical era.

Johnny Depp will be back on our screens from 3rd July as he stars with Christian Bale in crime film Public Enemies; this one won’t steal the limelight but, will undoubtedly be a great film.
Next we have Bruno (released 10th July)which will take us on another of Sacha Baron Cohen’s bizarre adventures, this time as camp Austrian TV presenter; it’s unlikely this one will rake in the biggest ratings either but, it will definitely be worth a look.

Now for the big one … drum roll please ... July 17th sees the release of one of the year’s most anticipated films as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is out after an agonising 8 month delay. My prediction is that this film will sweep the board with everything else and will be this summer’s biggest blockbuster; I personally can’t wait to see it. With so much hype though and with it being based on such an important book, there is the possibility that many fans of the Harry Potter novels will be disappointed with the film adaptation. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed to be a brilliant watch.

Things start to quieten down a bit in August though with G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (7th August) being released at the beginning of the month and Tarantino’s new film Inglorious Basterds (21ST August), about a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as ‘The Basterds’ who set out to scalp and kill the Nazi’s, being released at the end of the month.

So, there you have it. That’s the summer hits in a nutshell. Perhaps, there aren’t as many sure fire successes for this season as we have seen in previous years but, it still looks set to be a pretty good summer film-wise and at least if the weather does let us down (when doesn’t it?) there will be plenty to keep us entertained indoors.

Status of Pirates 4 is still unclear

Gore Verbinski’s announcement that he would be leaving the Pirates of the Caribbean series earlier this month has caused fans to question the status of the fourth installment but, writer Terry Rossio insists that little has changed.

Writing on the Word Player forums, he said: "We were in the space of not having a green light, and not having a director, not having an approved script, budget, stars, etc. Now we’re in the space of not having a green light, and not having a director, not having an approved script, budget, stars, etc."

He added: "The only thing that is being undone are people’s expectations, and their misunderstandings of how the system works. Really, until there is a movie there is no movie."

Star Trek actor on tour

Patrick Stewart, famous for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek is on tour with Ian McKellen in Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy Waiting for Godot.

The play is about two men, Vladimir and Estragon, who are endlessly waiting around for the mysterious Godot to arrive.

The two tramps find themselves arguing, making up, contemplating suicide, trying to sleep, eating a carrot and gnawing on a chicken bone as they sit out their vigil.

The performance dates are as follows: Theatre Royal in Bath March 30-April 4, 2009; Theatre Royal in Norwich April 6-11, 2009; King’s Theatre in Edinburgh April 13-18, 2009; and Theatre Royal in Newcastle April 20-25, 2009 before beginning a limited West End run at Theatre Royal Haymarket from April 30 to June 28 2009.

Patrick Stewart will also find himself as one of 13 honourees in a new hall of fame in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s visitor centre at Stratford-upon-Avon this month.

Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh will stand alongside Patrick Stewart and many others in the hall of fame which embraces performers, directors and artists who have been inspired by Shakespeare.

The exhibition will open on 23 April 2009.

Spielberg is a fan of Transformers sequel

Legendary director, Steven Spielberg, is already a fan of the new Transformer’s movie after watching it with Michael Bay in a theatre at Sony this month.

Writing on his personal blog, Michael said: "The lights came up after we just watched my cut of Revenge of the Fallen. He turned to me and said "It’s awesome". He felt this movie was better than the first - and probably my best, who knows - at this point in a movie you start to lose your objectivity."

The film is gaining a lot of interest at the moment and the challenge is in full swing now for Bay to finish it in time for its June release, he said: "We have 60 days left. Let me tell you it will be a race to finish. It’s 12 at night and we are still working here in the edit room. Everyone at ILM and DD are killing themselves right now, they are doing a stellar job on the effects."

For updates on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen or for other Michael Bay projects take a look at his blog at Michaelbay.com.

Let the Right One In Cinema Review

Let the Right One In is a strange and wonderful Swedish film about a reserved and bullied 12-year-old boy who finds himself in a most unusual relationship.

Oskar doesn’t have any friends and instead spends his time dreaming of getting revenge on Conny and the other bullies who make his life a misery. Things begin to change for Oskar though as he meets his new neighbour, a 12-year-old girl called Eli, while imagining revenge on his tormentors by stabbing a tree outside his home one evening. The two children talk and Eli tells Oskar they can’t be friends but, they continue to meet in the courtyard and strike up a friendship regardless of her words.

A series of murders in the area and Eli’s unusual behaviour eventually make Oskar realise that Eli is a vampire but, this does little to change his romantic feelings for her and so he accepts her for who she is, blood-sucking tendencies and all.

Let the Right One In is a unique and arty film with a brilliant plot, some great characters and a bit of dark humour. It is a strong example of how good a foreign-language film can be and is definitely worth a watch, as long as you don’t mind the subtitles.

Maggie Gyllenhaal joins cast of Nanny McPhee sequel

Production Weekly have announced on their Twitter page that Maggie Gyllenhaal is due to join Emma Thompson in the Nanny McPhee sequel ‘Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang’.

The sequel will take place nearly one hundred years before the events in the original film as Nanny McPhee has to tend to WWII children evacuated from their homes.

Filming is due to start next month at Shepperton Studios and the film is due for release in 2010.