I was delighted to see that Brighton is to take a leading
role in the UK’s film industry. The British Film Institute (BFI) is opening a
‘talent centre’ here as part of a £5m plan to boost the industry across the
country (Argus 21.5.13).
What a boost to the city! Hopefully there’ll be much job
creation using Sussex actors, make-up artists, scriptwriters and producers etc;
more visitors to the city; more hotel beds booked; use of our lovely country
and seaside; and maybe even the ‘Brighton & Hove Film Awards’ or the
‘Sussex Oscars’?
Brighton has a history in film, of course, with the iconic
Brighton Rock, Oh! What a Lovely War, Carry On Girls and Tommy all being shot
here. Now perhaps it can add another string to its bow and progress from its renowned fabulous sauciness to something a little more serious, showing
Brighton as the metropolitan, cosmopolitan, thriving city and business hub it
really is.
Local venues could be used on film: the Sealife Centre for a
remake of Jaws, Brighton City Airport (Shoreham to you and me) for a remake of Casablanca,
the Jubilee Library for Pulp Fiction, the Downs for North by Northwest and the
King Alfred for Apocalypse Now.
It’s possible the ‘talent’ will be behind the cameras,
perfecting their art on editing, dubbing and animation, but it’d be great to
suddenly turn into Churchill Square and find you’re an extra in the film
version of Extras. I wonder, though, if some Brighton inhabitants will suddenly
go out in full make-up and dress with slightly more attention in the mornings,
having one eye out for the cameras!
As Brighton is such a creative hub anyway, this could be
just what its student population needs as a transition from academia to
practical application. Those who have hidden their light behind a bushel
working for high street stores, supermarkets, corporates and independent
businesses alike will be whitening their teeth, perfecting their happy faces,
resurrecting their shelved film scripts or buffing up their best accents, ready
to knock on the door of opportunity at the talent centre.
BFI might in future stand for the Brighton Film Initiative.
Actually it’s rather exciting. I’m ready for my close-up
now, Mr DeMille!
Originally published in the Argus (Brighton & Hove) 28.5.13 www.theargus.co.uk
