Working Title Company Profile
1. Working Title make formulaic films (films that are based on a previously successful formula) 2. Working Title have a set of genres in which they specialise 3. Working Title re-use actors/ writers/ directors that they have worked with before 4. Working Title create mid-to-low budget films 5. Working Title films focus on writing/ acting/ cinematography rather than special effects/ CGI 6. Working Title repeatedly target similar audiences 7. Working Title widen their target audience by the way they package their film
In what ways is
Anna Karenina a typical Working Title film?
Funding
Vivendi
Distribution
Production
Universal
Studio Canal
WT2
Working Title
Universal
Focus Features
Studio Canal
Kinowelt
Optimum
How does Working Title’s institutional structure help them to be successful? • Autonomy up to £25m • Global distribution • Support with expertise in marketing, production, casting, legal, subcontracts… • Guaranteed distribution • Links with other Universal companies (record labels/ TV etc)
A History of Working Title
Working Title Phase 1 – 1984‐1988 • • • • • •
Set up 1984 Indie, low budget UK films Some funding from Channel 4 Non-mainstream Issue-based films Key films: – My Beautiful Launderette (1985) • Immigration; Community; Racism; Homophobia • £650,000
– For Queen and Country (1988) • US star; UK-led production • £250,000
Working Title Phase 2 – 1989‐1992 • Co-productions with Polygram • USA and UK appeal – International films • Larger budgets (low-mid) • Key films – Drop Dead Fred • US star; UK star
– Barton Fink • Coen Brothers • Budget $9m
Working Title Phase 3 – 1992‐1999 • Owned by Polygram • US-UK co-productions • Secure funding and international distribution • Mid budget international films • Mainstream • Key films: • Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) • Budget = £4.4m Box Office = £245m • US star + UK stars
• Elizabeth • Budget = £25m Box Office = £34m • Australian star + UK stars
Working Title Phase 4 – 1999‐today • Bought by Universal/ Vivendi • Mid-budget • Financial security – guaranteed investment (up to £25m) • Guaranteed worldwide distribution • The Working Title Formula • Literary adaptations and romcoms
• Key films: – – – –
Notting Hill About a Boy Pride and Prejudice Bridget Jones
How have Working Title changed their ownership to enable them to reach new audiences/ achieve new heights?
Working Title Phase 4a – 2000‐2007 • WT2 • Dedicated to • • • • •
developing new talent low budget films UK films UK and European markets Back to Working Title’s roots?
• Key Films • • • •
Billy Elliott Ali G Indahouse Shaun of the Dead Hot Fuzz
Working Title’s Current Strategy • TV productions • The Tudors
• International films • Bean (Indian market) • Coen Brothers (USA)
• European films • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy • Anna Karenina
• Move away from mid‐ Atlantic exports (no more Richard Curtis/ Hugh Grant) • Focus on European cinema • Explore potential of digital technologies to enhance distribution and marketing (e.g. StudioCanal deal with LoveFilm, and Tinker Tailor marketing)