working title profile
DESCRIPTION
Working Title ProfileTRANSCRIPT
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 films5. 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
WT2
Studio Canal
Working Title
Universal
Kinowelt OptimumStudio CanalUniversal Focus Features
VivendiFu
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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)
• 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 1 – 1984-1988
• 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 2 – 1989-1992
• 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 3 – 1992-1999
• Bought by Universal/ Vivendi• Mid-budget• Financial security – guaranteed
investment (up to £25m)• Guaranteed worldwide
distribution• The Working Title Formula
• Literary adaptations and rom-coms
• Key films: – Notting Hill– About a Boy– Pride and Prejudice– Bridget Jones
Working Title Phase 4 – 1999-today
How have Working Title changed their ownership to enable them
to reach new audiences/ achieve new heights?
• 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 Phase 4a – 2000-2007
• TV productions• The Tudors
• International films• Bean (Indian market)• Coen Brothers (USA)
• European films• Tinker, Tailor,
Soldier, Spy• Anna Karenina
Working Title’s Current Strategy• 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)