Amazon has warned the UK government that international film and HETV productions can move to new territories much faster than other parts of the economy if the regulatory framework of one territory becomes less favourable.
The comments were part of Amazon’s written submission to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s current inquiry into British film and high end television.
Amazon produces the second series of its The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, reportedly the biggest budget TV show ever, in the UK after the first series shot in New Zealand.
Amazon said: “The production landscape is hypercompetitive, with jurisdictions continually looking for ways to attract High End TV and film productions. Short term policy changes or additional costs to doing business could see an immediate impact on productions moving away from the UK, and at short notice” and that “it’s important for policymakers to appreciate that it’s much easier to change the location of a production than it is re-locate for other parts of the economy.”
Amazon urged government “maintain an internationally competitive regulatory framework, pipeline of talent and industry infrastructure in order to drive further investment.”
It said the government should regularly “undertake benchmarking” to learn from “international successes such as New York State to consider what other support could stimulate further UK investment; and whether the UK is as globally competitive as it could be.”
More specifically, Amazon urged government “to consider how further simplifications to the planning regime could help unlock and accelerate the growth of studio space across the UK.”
Jon Creamer
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