The UK's top 40 film production companies
Televisual's inaugural film survey kicks off with a showcase of the UK's leading film production companies. Tim Dams profiles the indies behind some of Britain's biggest and best films
The main Production 100 list is a ranking of the biggest indies, based on their annual turnover. Beyond financial size, however, it says very little about the regard in which they are held in the industry.
That’s where the Production 100 Peer Poll comes in. Every year, the Production 100 survey asks indies to name the rival companies they most respect, allowing Televisual to compile an annual poll of the most admired outfits working in television.
For the second year running Wall to Wall, producer of New Tricks and Who Do You Think Are?, is top of the list. Part of the Shed Media Group, Wall to Wall is rated for “creating innovative, intelligent programmes”. Says one rival of Wall to Wall: “They create brands and formats that still deliver really rewarding factual content.”
Two companies take joint second place, Kudos Film and TV and Maverick Television. Life On Mars and Spooks producer Kudos, part of Shine Group is rated for “its ability to constantly deliver high quality dramas and its large output and quality goods”. Maverick Television, producer of How To Look Good Naked, is acclaimed for “really grasping the potential of multiplatform”. “It’s a great 360 degree company,” says one rival of the All3Media-owned outfit.
Windfall Films comes in fourth place, up from 15th last year. “Wish we’d thought of Inside Nature’s Giants,” says one rival indie about the specialist factual producer.
Blast Films, RDF Media Group and Shine share joint fifth place. The producer of BBC2’s Blitz: The Bombing of Coventry, Blast Films “consistently make high quality documentaries and drama” and “combine quality, integrity and growth.” RDF , which recently sold to Zodiak, is picked out for “successful business moves in a challenging environment.” And Shine is admired by many rivals: “Quality management, quality programmes,” says one. “Boutique ideals, department store offering,” adds another.
Six indies then go on to share eighth place: Company Pictures, Dragonfly, Love, Optomen, Raw and Shed. Part of the All3Media Group, Skins producer Company is cited for being “innovative and creative”. Firefly, part of Shine Group, is rated for “great innovative factual programming with great access and use of technology, while Love Productions – maker of Famous, Rich and Jobless – is picked out for its “great ideas made into formats.” Optomen is admired for “great formats and the ability to attract high end talent.” Raw, maker of BBC1’s Neighbourhood Watched, is regarded for its “versatility” as well as its “attitude and creativity,” while Shed is picked out primarily for “their expansion into the US.”
