Irish Film and Television – 2009

Abstract

At launch of 2008 annual Irish Film Board Review--complete with flowing wine, lavish publication and complementary DVD compilation (Irish Talent on Film Vol. V)--CEO Simon Perry, still recalling success of Once--stated that there had never been better time for Irish cinema. There had never been so many co-productions in pipeline, films in development, in production or about be released. In spite of such ebullience, 2009 didn't in reality feel like Golden Age for Irish cinema and we were denied opportunity hear Irish Film Board's current prognosis of industry as, in keeping with new culture of public sector austerity, there was neither launch, publication nor DVD compilation in late 2009. That there is still Irish Film Board is something of miracle in itself, for it has been year of prolonged economic and cultural (not mention environmental) shocks in Ireland that resulted in unprecedented curtailments of public spending--a situation comparable one that brought about premature disbanding of first Irish Film Board in 1987. To understand why this action wasn't repeated involves consideration of number of factors including changes in globalization of culture industry and Ireland's place in it, cultural and psychic legacy of confidence engendered by Celtic Tiger years, elaborate and extensive infrastructure (education, training, facilities, equipment) that grew up around audiovisual and cultural sector during good times, international success of Irish cultural producers--in film, music, drama and literature most notably--over past two decades, and awareness of value of indigenous Irish culture in increasingly multicultural society and open economy. A hugely significant factor however, was how sophisticated sector itself has become in arguing its own case for sustained state support. Too late for inclusion in last year's review was mention of 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by The Irish Film Board to inform new landmark strategic plan for audiovisual content production sector. (1) The report was valuable on many fronts, not least because it refreshed statistics that were well out of date, but especially because it increased scope of its findings beyond bald production data of earlier reports consider economy of industry. Thus we discovered that the sector is valued at over 557.3 million [euro], employs over 6,000 individuals and represents 0.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We also learnt that sector employs 6,905 individuals and that estimated 567 companies operate comprising production companies, postproduction companies and service providers. There is provocative and real detail in findings on freelancers--a sizable bulk of industry: that 90% are under age of 50 and majority are male, with earnings between 2,500 [euro] and 150,000 [euro] in 2006 and 2007. Freelancers are a well educated group with 59% having achieved either Degree, Master/ Postgraduate Degree or Doctorate/ Post Doctoral Degree--only 2% of freelancers have no formal qualification at all. For all emphasis on, and attention garnered by feature film production, report notes that area of post-production has experienced largest growth in recent years--with sizable proportion of employees earning 35,000 [euro] per annum. Here then is objective evidence of much vaunted knowledge economy--the buzz concept at heart of much recent Government discussions on education and future growth--or basis of it. The depth and subtlety of report was always going be useful in informing future strategy but as 2009 progressed it became, literally, vital. In bid stop haemorrhaging of public money in aftermath of spectacular collapse in tax receipts, government appointed economist Colm McCarthy chair committee (aka an Bord Snip Nua) charged with identifying where savings might be made. …