Why the UK Arts sector matters - A thread.
I lived in Budapest. No many UK people know that Budapest is used as an overflow when Pinewood etc are too busy. They shoot TV and movies including Hollywood blockbusters there. /1
I lived in Budapest. No many UK people know that Budapest is used as an overflow when Pinewood etc are too busy. They shoot TV and movies including Hollywood blockbusters there. /1
For example, did you see Die Hard 5 ? 47 Ronin ? The BBC version of the Musketeers ? All filmed in Hungary.
The behind the scenes people for these productions were almost exclusively from the UK. Carpenters, hairdressers, musicians, camera operators. /2
The behind the scenes people for these productions were almost exclusively from the UK. Carpenters, hairdressers, musicians, camera operators. /2
I met many of them at pubs in Budapest (usually watching the football) . Not stars, but crafts people who could work there (thanks to freedom of movement) for 2 days or 6 months. Well, we fucked that up for them entirely. /3
These people all work on contract and most work across theatre, TV, and film. If we let the arts die in this country, which the Govt seems happy to do, then these talented people will lose everything in the UK as well as having lost their EU work. /4
They paid tax in the UK on the money they earned in the EU. Our reputation for being world class in the arts was enhanced internationally. This is all dying before our eyes and all this talent and expertise is going to wither and fade. /5
It is so short sighted by this criminal Govt to let this go to the wall. UK talent is used and valued around the world in the creative arts. Watch the credits of your fave shows - is the orchestra from the UK ? Are the visual effects people from the UK ? /6
Do you watch The Pioneer Woman on the Food Channel ? Even though she is in Oklahoma, her crew are all from London. The soft power the arts have given the UK is immeasurable and we are letting it go. /7
So, I feel for all these people who won't ever be famous but who are world class at what they do. The Govt does not care about them. The theatres will all close and kids won't be able to aspire to something different or be transported for a couple of hours to a new world. /8
So, when the arts die, something greater dies in the UK. People's hopes, dreams & desires become limited or non-existent. The arts sustain us even though we do not necessarily know it. But a Tory Govt will let that all go because they do not think these people vote for them. /end
