Film Production Costs
It will probably surprise most people to learn that, owing to the laboration of the camera-work and constant repetition of shots
n the aim to secure perfection, a day's work in British film studios .esults on an average in finished film taking no more than 1.29 minutes to show. In Hollywood an average figure of 2.6 minutes s not uncommon, and one of the recommendations of the Working 'arty on film poduction costs, whose report was published this week, s that producers should aim at raising the screen time average to .wo minutes a day. The rest of the report's recommendations for reducing costs are equally direct and sensible, and are not likely to be quarrelled with by producers ; for, although the film industry may have the virus of extravagance in its veins, most producers are not unaware of the need to keep costs down. It will be more difficult to implement another of the Working Party's recommenda- tions that " cost-consciousness be diffused throughout the personnel of the industry," for if this has any effect it must mean, not simply cutting down the salaries of stars but also puncturing the cushion of inflated wages and restricted duties which some of the unions concerned have built up for their members. It means, in fact, that there must be a return of the team spirit which, it is generally admitted, once existed in the industry but has now largely dis- appeared. Meanwhile Mr. Rank's reminder of the crushing burden entertainment duty imposes raises other problems.
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