Investment in Brit pic biz drops 35%
Lowest figure since 1995
The volume of production declined only slightly, with 75 pics shot in the U.K. last year, compared to 80 in 2000, according to figures published by the Film Council.
But the dramatic fall in average budgets reflected a shortage of major Hollywood productions as a result of the threatened U.S. actors strike.
In 2001 Britain hosted the production of 23 movies funded from other countries, down from 28 the previous year. Inward investment in films fell by 46% to $284 million in 2000.
Smaller Brit budgets
There were 52 British films shot, the same as in 2000. But spending on British films fell by 15% to $258 million, reflecting a growing number of micro-budget movies.
Perhaps the most dramatic change came in the area of foreign TV production. After a boom year in 2000, when nine international TV shows, including "Band of Brothers," were filmed in the U.K. with a combined budget of $247 million, spending slumped to $46 million last year across 15 productions.
