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THIS IS THE MOST SENSIBLE THING I HAVE SEEN YET!!!! IN YESTERDAY'S OBSERVER

What price a movie?

Questions still remain about the high running costs of the UK Film Council, despite the spirited defence of the organisation mounted in recent days. When a possible merger with the BFI was being explored recently, the BFI board nearly fainted to a man and woman when presented with the size of the salaries at UKFC. Has anyone referred back to the public-private agency that funded British production before UKFC – British Screen – run by Simon Relph and latterly Simon Perry? As I remember during the 10 years with Perry at its head, British Screen backed 144 films, had a staff of 15 people, and an annual overhead of about £1m. Their production and development team (editorial, not including legal, accounting etc) was four people. I think UKFC, previous to their slim-down, had six for each of its three funds. I wonder if the coalition is thinking along British Screen lines to dispense the much-needed funds. Any light they can throw on future funding structures would be most welcome.

Clare Downs

London W9