Working Title Films

British Film Industry

 Background
• Working Title Films is a British film production company, based in
London.

• The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in

the late 1980s. It produces feature films and some television
productions.

• Among the company's films are Richard Curtis-scripted romantic

comedies and Coen Brothers' films, but has in recent times moved
into many other types of film, such as United 93.

• In 2004 it made a profit of £17.8 million. As of 2007, all its films

distributed by Universal Pictures, which owns a 67% stake in the
company, and many of its recent films are co-productions with
StudioCanal. The remaining shares are owned by the company's
founders, BBC Films, and private investors.
 Breakthrough success
Four Weddings and a Funeral is
a 1994 British romantic comedy
film directed by Mike Newell. It
was the first of several films by
screenwriter Richard Curtis to
feature Hugh Grant. The film
was an unexpected success,
becoming the highest-grossing
British film in cinema history
with worldwide box office in
excess of $244 million
worldwide.
 Richard Curtis
Curtis is a screenwriter for British Films, best known for writing ‘Four
Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Love Actually’ and shows such
as ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, ‘Mr Bean’ and ‘Blackadder’ and transferring
‘Bridget Jones’ from book to film.
 Charity
Curtis founded the charity
in 1985.

And was a founder of MAKE POVERTY

HISTORY
 Curtis and Working Title
His films for Working Title have a recognisable
formula:
• A tendency to portray a ‘Christmas Card’ little
England, combining chocolate box villages with
tourist London
• Middle class heroes stuck in romantic
predicaments, looking gorgeous and living in
fabulous houses in London
• Using the romantic comedy genre as a
showcase for Britain’s comedy talent in cameos
• Hugh Grant is best known for his Curtis films
 Coen Brothers
Owing a heavy debt to film noir and other film styles of the past, the
Coen brothers' films combine dry humor with sharp irony and shocking
visuals, most often in moving camera shots.
Working Title Films
 Best of British
Working Title films have promoted a range of home grown talent:
Hugh Grant, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson, Martin Freeman, Alan
Rickman, Keira Knightly, Colin Firth, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and
frequently draws on comedy television show stars (such as ‘The
Office’) for cameo roles.

When casting for Bridget Jones was taking place, there was outrage
than an American actress was given the lead in what women saw as
a ‘Thoroughly British’ role.
 Portrayal of London
Working Title’s portrayal of London could be
described as heavily formulaic, especially
in Richard Curtis’ depictions.

TASK: Using ‘Notting Hill’ ‘Bridget Jones’

and ‘Love Actually’ for reference, what
values and ideologies does Working Title’s
London convey?
 Task Content
• Views of London, the streets and houses,
famous landmarks – where do the
characters take us?
• Londoners – how are they portrayed?
• Jobs in London – what do the characters
do?
• Fashion and music