In and Out of the FilmFour Lab: Digital Experiments

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

This paper will examine some of the ways in which digital technology has been used in the production of low-budget cinema supported by Channel 4’s film-making arm, FilmFour, since 1998. In doing so the paper will consider two key areas: firstly, FilmFour’s department for experimental low-budget cinema, the FilmFour lab; secondly, the relationship between FilmFour and the production company Warp Films, particularly their digital division, Warp X.

The FilmFour Lab was created in 1998 as a department within the newly-autonomous FilmFour Ltd. Its aims were to support artists in low-budget experimental work. One of the key ways in which this was done was to fund digital film projects. In this paper, I analyse two examples of digital filmmaking in the early 2000s supported by the FilmFour Lab – Daybreak (Bernard Rudden, 2000) and My Brother Tom (Dom Rotheroe, 2001). I seek to complicate the conception that digital technology usage represents a de facto ‘experiment’ in film form.
The head of FilmFour Lab, Robin Gutch, stepped down in 2003, and would later become the managing director of Warp X. Supported by the Low Budget Film Scheme, Warp X’s stated aim was to ‘harness cutting edge digital technology’ in both film production and distribution. I explore some of the similarities and differences between Warp X’s strategy and that of the FilmFour Lab, particularly around using digital technology for low-budget projects.
By examining the FilmFour Lab and Warp X partnership, this paper will explore how Channel 4’s filmmaking arm responded to the challenge of digital change.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusUnpublished - 2 Nov 2012
EventChannel 4 and British Film Culture - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Nov 20122 Nov 2012

Conference

ConferenceChannel 4 and British Film Culture
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period1/11/122/11/12

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