Money to be made from film

FILM AND TELEVISION have the potential to become profitable foreign exchange earners for Barbados. And Government and the private sector are critical to making them viable media.

So said Dr Margaret Brito, chief executive officer of L'Ouverture Arts Facilitator Inc., during an interview with the WEEKEND NATION yesterday.

"It is very difficult to get money to produce either film or television programmes. I have heard successive governments say that they will make this money available; it is yet to become a tangible fact."

Brito said film-makers were producing work out of their own pockets and when they were put on television, the productions were criticised because they were not of the best quality.

"This kind of media is so important worldwide as an income generator, that a lot more attention should be paid to making them viable at this time.

"Unless you can export your ideas, you cannot be said to be developed . . . . If you look at all of the nations in the world that are considered developed, they export their ideas."

In making a case for film and television here, Brito said the Caribbean and Barbados had many unique stories that could be told in many unique ways.

She also pointed out there were a number of professionals in information technology, writers, costume and set designers and make-up people who could transfer their skills into a film industry.

Brito said an interest in film was there, but acknowledged there was a serious lag in institutional and organisational support to maintain the enthusiasm. (JS)