ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Hi Jon,

The first question will be if you bring money with you - it'll be a LOT easier to find sponsors for visas/permits if you do. There's no shortage of filmmakers here in Europe, so it's going to be tough getting started if you're "just" another person looking for a job!

If you speak any other languages than English, it'll open up other markets than London BTW.

7 years, 7 months ago - PAUL FERGUSON

Hi Jon
I worked in UK immigration for many years. I'm not legally allowed to advise as I have sold my consultancy but you may wish to look at the attached link regarding entry as a writer/artist. The UK Home Office website has a list of the various ways one can enter the UK. Good luck and let me know if you need a feature thriller script - Paul
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/450237/Entering_the_UK_Arts_Ents_leaflet_August_2015.pdf

7 years, 7 months ago - Michael Sandiford

Don't forget you are allowed to do business in the UK for up to 6 months. As opposed to us Brits who are only allowed half that in the usa. If you'd like to discuss more and let me know the types of projects you're after I may be able to help.

7 years, 7 months ago - Tony Jones

H Jon, Creations Network TJ Ltd is seeking producer's for our Videos, if you would like further information simply respond to this transmission. Gods Blessings, Amen. Enthusiasm, Creations Network TJ Ltd, Serving Company Director, Tony Jones.

7 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran

Some good suggestions above. This is an issue that comes up here couple of times a year. It's worth trawling the archives. I've been involved in a number of international projects with US collaborators, going both ways across the Atlantic. I've iterated here before that one might consider options that don't fit any of the standard state constructed templates. Being 'legitamate' is not only about conformity with specific legislation but more about not transgressing any specific legislation. Film making is as much a legitamate business enterprise as any other. International business collaborations are an essential feature of our global capitalist system whether it be film production, the import export of grommets or many other commercial enterprises. The over prescriptiveness of statutory regulation is its own Achillies heel. By being definitive with the meaning of some words legislatory definitions provide for a lot of undefined and therefore Un regulated descriptive meanings. Law is almost wholly defined by the meaning of words. A singular activity may be lawfully defined by two or more differing arrangements of words that make that activity, although the same in reality, different in law.

Most legislation relavent to this conversation is about controlling immigration and protecting jobs from foreign competition. So don't be an immigrant or a job seeker. Be a bonifide US corporate entity with a registered office, bank account and website , doing international business. Don't be a self employed producer, be a production company. It's what makes global capitalism work and sacred to the system.

7 years, 7 months ago - Michael Sandiford

Don't forget you are allowed to do business in the UK for up to 6 months. As opposed to us Brits who are only allowed half that in the usa. If you'd like to discuss more and let me know the types of projects you're after I may be able to help.

7 years, 7 months ago - John Lubran

Whilst a standard business endorsement into the UK might state six months this is not an unconditional limit. If ones ongoing business activities require extensions they are not unreasonably withheld. As with B1, B2 business visas for the USA one can quite easily obtain a ten year multiple entry endorsement if ones credentials are in order. My old passport had an indefinite endorsement which transferred to the ten year one on my new passport. For film production business a producer or director usually gets an additional 'I' endorsement which I found to be very helpful. By comparison the UK is actually more friendly to business travellers than is the USA.

7 years, 6 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

My first suggestion is, look at magazines like Broadcast or Screen International, rather than forums. Americans are much more into film forums than the entrepreneurial Brits. Most British filmmakers meet offline, chatting in the pub or at a place of worship or a school.

Also, know that a lot of Brits will hear your accent, and either overcharge you, or charge you twice. So, check every bill twice, and make sure to get a receipt each and every time if you don't want to go bankrupt. Many people here are rich, but they think they aren't, and so many are basically racist against Americans. (even universities have tried to rip me off in this country.)

Networking events tend to be an industry to themselves, and are a waste of money. Most people I met in these end up running their own events and courses.

I would suggest watching films, and reading the credits, and then contacting the filmmakers directly. That is the only thing that has worked for me (that, and holding auditions.) I have met some great Spanish and European documentarians this way.

What I say first to all Americans coming to Europe is, beware of scam artists. Like America, there are many who pretend to be in the entertainment business, but there are so many people here who try to overcharge Americans, and filmmakers, and as a documentary filmmaker who probably don't have anywhere near the amount of money they think you do. If you can put on a British accent, do so! The UK is worse than France, in France most people treat you fairly, even if they seem a bit snobbish.

(If I were advising my younger self, I'd say stay out of the UK. Stay far, far away! I'm stuck here now, and cold, and really wish I had the money to leave.)

7 years, 6 months ago - John Lubran

Crikey Vasco, you have had a rough time. But you ought not take your own experience as a generality. I've lived and worked here, the USA and in the World for decades, within a broad spectrum and combination of nationalities, genres and international productions. I don't recognise the generalisation you describe at all. There's arses, creeps and crooks to be found every where. Being able to discern who's who derives from either innate or acquired nous (wisdom). At our age and experience one ought to be able to spot an arse a proverbial mile off. It's more about the individual than the nationality. Grace and professionalism is usually met with the same.