Research Task - Working Title

Working Title Overview

• Working Title was founded in 1984 by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe
• The first investment made by the company was £500,000 in My Beautiful Launderette, the first of a series of collaborations with Channel 4 Films
• In 1998 Working Title closed a production deal with PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
• In 1991 Working Title set up a Hollywood office, developing production deals with Tim Robbins and The Coen Brothers.
• In 1992 PolyGram (a European music and media company) buys Working Title. Sarah Radclyffe (part founder) leaves and is replaced by the American producer, Eric Fellner. 
• In 1998 PolyGram is bought by Universal, a Seagram company
• In 2000 Seagram is bought by Vivendi, the French media conglomerate. Working Title is now owned by Universal, which is in turn owned by Vivendi.
• The deal with Universal allows Working Title to green light films up to a budget of $35 million.

The company mainly produces Rom-Coms (romantic comedies)
Successes from the company include films such as: Love Actually, Bridget Jones' Diary, Nanny Mcphee and Notting Hill. 

How is Working Title structured?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MWVcR2Q40&feature=related
Youtube clip of Tim Bevan on the structure of Working Title
Working Title partners Bevan and Fellner structure the company by constantly thinking of new film ideas before their current film is released. They ensure to release a balanced set of films - a commercial film on one side and then a more low key film on the other. 

Why is being owned by Universal beneficial for Working Title?

• It is beneficial for Working Title because in order to be in the film business for a long time and to create mass profit films is to be apart of a US Studio structure. 
• Being owned by Universal made it so Working Title could spend less time on finding money and more time on developing decent scripts.
• It is also beneficial because it ensures world-wide distribution of its products.
• Gives them access to the finance they need for development and production

Why do I feel Working Title are Britain's most successful Production company...

Working Title are Britain's most successful production company because it is owned by Universal which is a well known brand that appeals to an international market, accessing a mainstream audience and also because it is such a large and successful company it also helps films created by Working Title to be globally distributed. Working Title is also so successful because they create films that have minimal risks in terms of controversial story lines/actors and are easily marketable. 

Tim Bevan describes the company as constantly making a slate, they are producing and thinking of new ideas for films all the time. Their £389 million 1999 deal with Universal gives them permission to OK budgets up to £15 million on their own. Also, Working Title seems to have the full package, it produces rom coms that appeal to a mainstream audience with the majority being hugely successful.  

Working Title produce 4-5 films per year.
1 risk free film each year
2 mainstream films
2 projects they feel passionate which have risk factors
Identify which films from 2013 come under the 3 categories above -
5 films released in 2013 from Working Title...
I Give It A Year - 1 risk free film (rom-com) 
The World's End - project they feel passionate about with risk factors.
Closed Circuit - mainstream film
About Time - budget of 12m, made 85m at box office - mainstream film
Rush - project they feel passionate about with risk factors.