Production strategy

Download the production strategy in pdf format (15 KB)

Introduction

The Agency's priority is to provide new opportunities for Welsh filmmaking talent to get their films produced and, in the process, to increase the breadth and number of films being produced overall by Welsh talent. We place particular emphasis on supporting new and yet to be established talent, in terms of writers, writer-directors, directors and producers; and projects where our investment makes a meaningful contribution. In doing this we seek to provide platforms on which to profile talent and potentially launch careers, contributing to the creation of a sustainable industry. We aim to achieve this by:

• Offering project specific advice and assistance in identifying, preparing for, approaching and dealing with targeted potential third party financiers, distributors and/or sales agents and industry markets;
• Increasing and improving the profile of talent to third party financiers, distributors, financiers and other market opportunities;
• Providing co-financing for a minimum of 2-3 low budget films per annum;
• Supporting new talent with experienced production personnel and mentors, where appropriate, and facilitating access to hands-on production training opportunities where possible;
• Disseminating general advice and information relating to industry opportunities and facilitating access to them where possible.

Guiding principles

In providing its service, the Agency will operate under the following guiding principles:

• We operate a continuous 'open door' submissions policy. That is, we will accept submissions at any time, from anyone, and will aim to respond swiftly, informatively and courteously at all times. Funding decisions in excess of £50k will be subject to Board approval.
• We aim to support the production of projects that have the potential to benefit Welsh filmmaking talent. The primary focus will be on projects involving any of the following above-the-line Welsh talent: writers, writer-directors, directors, producers/production companies. Projects without such input must show significant Welsh benefit via alternative means, including mentoring opportunities offered to aspiring directors, producers and Heads of Department, and significant casting (where possible) and crewing across all grades, to the extent possible.
• We encourage the maximising of 'Welsh spend' through the employment of Welsh cast and crew, in all grades, and the use of Welsh facilities wherever practical. However, the participation of key creative Welsh talent (writers, writer-directors and producers) will be our primary concern in allocating production finance. This includes the support of projects that might film outside of Wales, either elsewhere in the UK or internationally.
• We encourage the production of projects of creative strength and originality that have a distinctive, imaginative and compelling voice, and if appropriate, that are experimental and innovative.
• The Agency is principally concerned with the production of feature length material intended for theatrical distribution. Short Film support and schemes are not envisaged at present.
• We seek to add benefit through our activities, rather than duplicate the work of other organisations and/or financiers. We therefore liaise closely with companies such as Finance Wales' IP Fund, the UK Film Council, broadcasters and Skillset, in order to appreciate what opportunities they may offer for projects and talent that we encounter, in addition to identifying ways in which we can collaborate whilst meeting shared aims and objectives.
• We support the production of films in Welsh and English, and indeed any other language that might be appropriate to the given project.
• We aim to support projects that have a clearly identifiable core audience, appropriate to their budget.
• We are committed to the use of trainees across the full range of production activity and require funding recipients to contribute to the Skills Investment Fund.
• We endorse the use of industry best practice and agreements relating to fair pay.

Core activities

The Agency's core production activity is to offer project specific advice and facilitate access to third party finance/distribution; to increase production opportunities and support for new and yet to be established talent in particular; and to increase the diversity of films being made by Welsh filmmaking talent. In carrying out these core activities we will:

• Provide an information service, pointing all film production and training enquiries in the appropriate direction. This will be backed up by a comprehensive web site and "open access" events where the Agency can communicate its plans and activities and where any and all interested parties can meet the Agency team and discuss areas of interest.
• Provide project specific advice and assistance in response to submissions. We aim to support producers through hands-on collaboration in furthering the financing and distribution potential of their projects. In some cases we may suggest that further development would be advisable and a submission to the Development Fund may be appropriate to support this work.
• Provide regular project specific workshops and industry access surgeries with invited industry decision-makers, experts and advisors.
• Provide production co-financing for a minimum of 2-3 low budget films each year. Budgets for these feature-length films, intended for theatrical release, will ordinarily be between £400,000 and £750,000. We will additionally consider ultra low budget projects (as per the current trend of £50,000 – £100,000 films), provided that they adhere to our Guiding Principles, including best industry practice and fair pay agreements. Our investment can be up to 50% of the budget, or £200,000 per project, whichever is the lower amount. The Agency will determine what is an appropriate financial contribution on a project-by-project basis. The Agency recognises that low budget films of this nature will place particular constraints on the type of film that can be supported, arguably ruling out costly period drama and romantic comedies, that generally tend to require named cast to penetrate the market. Instead, these budgets lend themselves to auteur filmmaking and genre films, such as horror and thriller stories. We are always open to be persuaded by innovative approaches. In assessing projects for potential production finance, projects that have previously received funding through the Arts Council of Wales' micro-budget initiative will be re-evaluated in line with the Agency's aims and objectives and alongside submissions otherwise received via the Agency's 'open access' procedure.
• Whenever new talent is engaged in an Agency co-financed project, we will endeavour to surround them with experienced crew, mentors and executives as appropriate. All Agency funded projects will be required to offer significant trainee opportunities across a range of grades and we will work with you and in collaboration with existing training organisations to make best use of these.

Complementary activities

In addition to our core activities, we will engage in additional activities where they further the Agency's Aims and Objectives, provide tangible benefits to Welsh filmmaking talent and where budgetary constraints permit. For example, we will

• Consider applications for completion funding of feature-length theatrical films that comply with our Guiding Principles and where a clear market benefit can be derived.
• Work with Skillset, Cyfle, the IP Fund, Location Commission and other bodies to develop an integrated system for tracking current and forthcoming hands-on trainee opportunities on feature-length projects and co-ordinating the identification, assessment and placement of film trainees.