Fish Tank Secondary Research.

It is a free digital television channel, owned by Channel 4 Television Corporation. It started up in 1982 as Film4 Productions but then changed its name during the digital switch over and called itself Film Four.

The company's first production was Walter, directed by Stephen Frears, which was released in 1982. Its ‘sister companies’ include E4, More4, 4Music, Heat, Kiss, Magic and more. Film Four became Film4 by becoming a part of Channel 4 who is currently its parent company.

These films made by Fillm4 are made to target a British Niche audience. People, who watch these films do not watch them with the intention of being entertained, but watch them with the intention of being informed of very powerful, disturbing situations which they show through ‘British Social Realism’. The purpose of doing this is to show audiences what kinds of issues are recognised in society all over Britain and how everyday life for some people can be. Their aim is to create audience awareness of what is going on around them through these horrid unvarnished images. BSR typical themes include alcohol and drug abuse, violence, domestic issues and others. They specifically use younger children mainly teenagers as this has a bigger impact on the audience and is more realistic. They use unknown actors who have raw talent to taker part in their films. Film 4 have little budget for their films as they are more concerned with the content they are showing rather than the editing. They often film in very rundown, urban locations, generally in estate buildings as they are showing you the reality of the characters.

They market their films through advertising them at film festivals so the audience are aware of them and rely heavily on critic quotes for their films. They feel that getting professionals to comment on their film will help increase the number of views of their films and therefore allow it to be successful. They advertise their film on channel 4, particularly through the news as they can attract a different type of audience and again create audience awareness. Also, Film 4 have previously co-produced a Hollywood film which helps them get their name out amongst bigger Hollywood production companies who have a global mainstream audience. They cannot make their films to target people in other countries simply because they will not understand British humour and may take offense to what Film4 call ‘Dark Comedy.’