Why is it in a time of great depression that most of the scripts I get for films made in and about Britain are so profoundly depressing?
I realise that they are an accurate slice of these people’s lives, they reflect current life in the North and Midlands of England.
But the audiences live those lives! they don’t need to see them coming back at them from a big screen.
In the 30’s during the great depression the most successful films were ones that took people out of their depressing and hard real lives and gave them some hope.
Maybe not even hope, maybe just a few hours escape.
Busby Berkeley, the Gold Diggers series and Foot-light Parade, just sheer indulgence and fun.
Producers, Directors, look around, the successful films in the UK are happy ones, Billy Elliott, The Full Monty, 4 Weddings, Bridget Jones.
Are they art? who gives a damn!
They entertain people and make money.
Please send me a happy script…