Camstage sees British film making shine on Oscar show
By Franco Camastra March 3, 2014
The 86th Academy Awards show just ended when I got up today to start another work week at Camstage Ltd. But it looks like we Britons made a bit of a splash at the Hollywood event. At least that's what I'm picking up from reading the trades and poking around a bit in Vine, YouTube, etc.
Oh yeah. The prime minister sent a few tweets and the British Film Institute's CEO is popping with pride.
The Guardian sums it up quite nicely in "The British are coming! Sorry about that."
Four things helped remind the Americans that we Brits own a bit of the cinema market:
- The British presenters
- Gravity's success
- Steve McQueen's role in the Best Picture 12 Years a Slave
- The Lady in Number 6's win
Back to The Guardian: "Even if no Britons had won any Oscars the presence of Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Naomi Watts and Daniel Day-Lewis among the presenters guaranteed a healthy dose of RP through the evening."
We star in Gravity
Gravity, the 3D space drama made in London using British special effects teams and post-production facilities, took home 7 Oscars:
- Best visual effects
- Best sound editing
- Best sound mixing
- Best cinematography
- Best film editing
- Best original score
- Best Director
So the movie may have starred American actors but its success came from here, right?
The Calgary Herald quoted Gravity's director, Alfonso Cuaron (from Mexico):
"It's very obvious the amazing quality and sophistication of the British film industry made this film happen."
The film also was a finalist for best picture, actress and production design.
British Lady wins too
The Lady in Number 6 took home an Oscar for short documentary. Briton Malcolm Clarke directed the profile of musician and Holocaust survivor Alice Herz-Sommer, who died last week at age 110.
Now those tweets:
Prime Minister David Cameron was quick to praise the British successes in two tweets:
Gravity's #Oscars triumph is a tribute to the brilliance of British special effects wizards @Framestore and @Prime_Focus.
Congratulations to British director, Steve McQueen, after his film "12Years a Slave" won the award for Best Picture at the #Oscars.
Or just go to Camstage's Twitter home because I retweeted.
Amanda Nevill, the film institute's CEO, was quite proud of the British showing. She reminded us that 12 Years a Slave, Gravity and 20 Feet from Stardom premiered in the UK at the institutes' London Film Festival. “Our industry continues to punch above its weight, with exceptional creative talent and world-leading practitioners, infrastructure and facilities that prove a draw to filmmakers from around the world, creating jobs and driving inward investment to the UK economy."
Nevill says:"The success of our filmmaking talent working both in front of and behind the camera is an international validation of how creatively and technically British filmmaking is at the top of its game, and I am so pleased for all the talented people involved in making these wonderful films which have captivated audiences around the world.”
You can see The Great Beauty which lost to 20 Feet, on the BFI site. Beauty also had British connections.
You want all the winners? Head to the BFI's list.
Camstage helps UK industry
You won't find Camstage listed but we do contribute to the cinema's success, especially in the UK. Camstage is proud of its work on infrastructure and facilities. We've worked in the studios where many movies are made. We've worked at the BFI many times -- curtains, acoustic walls and a screen.
Of course, we spend a lot of time making sure screens and such at cinemas and home theatres are ready to show the finished films.
Camstage was formed in 1989 and is known as a leading UK supplier to the cinema and theatre industries. Products include projection screens, stage curtains and acoustic wall panels needed in cinemas, theatres, places of worship, crematoriums, educational facilities, home cinemas and other venues. Services include design, installation and maintenance.
Email us info@camstage.com or call +44(0) 1727 830151 for more information.
