UK CINEMA STAFF REWARDED FOR PREVENTING PIRACY

17 employees from cinemas across the UK have been presented with awards totalling over £7,000 for their efforts in preventing illegal recordings taking place. Illegal recordings of films are the primary source for pirate copies worldwide - recordings are uploaded to the internet and made available within hours to millions of people. Film piracy in the UK alone costs legitimate businesses over half a billion pounds a year and directly threatens the jobs of tens of thousands of people who work across the film sector.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) operates a training, prevention and reward scheme for UK cinemas funded and supported by Film Distributors’ Association (‘FDA’).

FACT works closely with cinema operators to ensure that staff are trained to detect and prevent recordings, as well as assisting in raising awareness with police on this issue so they are able to assist when called to an incident. Night vision devices supplied by FDA form part of the best practice deterrence, as digital recording equipment is not easy to spot.

The FACT/FDA programme has engaged the support and co-operation of exhibitors UK-wide. It has achieved great success in reducing the number of recordings taken from UK cinemas, making the UK one of the most secure environments for releasing movies.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said that the actions of those present today had prevented the recording of films and that those recordings would then have been uploaded to the internet and made available to millions of people globally, harming the livelihoods of industry employees as well as the prospects of the films affected.

Mark Batey, FDA Chief Executive, said: “FDA congratulates the cinema staff receiving their due rewards today, and thanks them for their vigilance at the sharp end of the business. The better protected a release territory is, the more likely it is to attract innovation and further new content – so the work of our partners at FACT and colleagues across exhibition is important and appreciated.”

Awards summary

• 14 cinema employees received awards for their actions.
• All 12 incidents were reported to the police.
• Four incidents led to arrests
• Three led to formal cautions in police custody
• One led to an instant fine by the police

Three awards were presented to winners of a quiz on www.fightfilmtheft.org.uk At a specially-convened ceremony at Warner Bros, London, each received a cheque for their part in deterring attempted recordings at their cinema.

Awards were presented to:

• Empire Slough from Salimah Azim Adatia
• Empire Slough from Muhammad Imran Wattoo
• Cineworld Aberdeen Queen’s Link from Spencer Owen
• Vue North Finchley from Rachel Hewer
• Odeon Bournemouth from Destiny Okoh
• Empire Newcastle from Victoria Landale
• Cineworld Leigh from Stephanie Mortimore
• Cineworld Leigh from Kevin King
• Cineworld Wandsworth from Parthiban Subburaj
• Cineworld Wandsworth from Siddharthayappan Rajkumar
• Vue Wood Green from Grishma Bam
• Empire Newcastle from Danielle Carver
• Odeon Manchester from Richard Brammer
• Odeon Manchester from Paul Bannister
• Cineworld Weymouth from Gemma Humphreys
• Cineworld Boldon from Paul Whale
• Odeon Blackpool from Rebecca Cartwright

Each individual receiving a reward - in many cases matched by a similar amount from their employing company - did so as a result of the FDA-funded scheme available to any member of UK cinema staff involved in the successful apprehension of film thieves.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said: "The FACT/FDA reward scheme is now in its fifth year and has paid out many thousands of pounds to cinema staff who have worked diligently to prevent illegal recordings. Those present today have come from across the UK, showing that the threat is widespread but that proactive engagement from those working in cinemas is having a major impact.I am delighted to be able to acknowledge and reward their achievements."

Keith Lemon's Moments Worth Paying For

KEITH LEMON stars in the next ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ From Friday 8th June, film fans up and down the country will find themselves rolling in the aisles as KEITH LEMON brings his unique brand of celebrity frolics to a hilarious new trailer intended to inspire respect for copyright and promote the value of original film, tv and video content.

The laugh-out-loud trailer uses hysterical scenes of the colourful Yorkshire-man wreaking havoc across London from the highly anticipated, upcoming Lionsgate UK comedy KEITH LEMON THE FILM – in cinemas 24th August - to demonstrate the quintessentially Lemon-esque hijinks audiences can pay to enjoy in cinema quality this summer.

The outrageous character adds a zesty twist to the Industry Trust for IP Awareness campaign, where a series of title-specific messages are being launched to build on the significant success of last year’s successful ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ project. The campaign aims to encourage support in the continued challenges posed by copyright infringement; it intends to spread the word about the positive role copyright plays in helping to protect creative ideas by celebrating movie moments that are worth paying for.

By using dramatic clips of the original ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ trailer, amusingly contrasted with star-studded excerpts from KEITH LEMON THE FILM (including cameos from Kelly Brook, Verne Troyer, Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton), the trailer creates a light-hearted message about the value of quality film content and ends with Keith Lemon himself exclaiming: “I’ll buy a ticket for that, I will!”

The collaboration will consist of a 30-second spot to be shown in all cinemas for an 8 week period, as well as supportive posters in outdoor locations. The campaign will also highlight the wealth of legitimate ways to watch film and TV by directing viewers to Findanyfilm.com - a gateway to official film and TV services across a range of formats, both on and offline.

Nicola Pearcey, Managing Director Home Entertainment and New Media at Lionsgate UK said: “We are delighted to support ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ campaign. KEITH LEMON THE FILM has outrageously hilarious antics which we’re sure audiences will agree are worth paying for. And it’s through their support that we’re able to continue making the great films and TV shows they love.

Ice Age 4 - Moments Worth Paying For

From Friday 13th April, cinema goers across the UK will be in for a mammoth treat as they become the first to see an engaging film trailer designed to inspire a greater respect for copyright and the value of film and TV content.

This charismatic trailer, produced by Twentieth Century Fox, uses content from the hugely awaited family friendly release, ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTIAL DRIFT – in cinemas July 13th. The trailer encourages audiences of all ages, to avoid the pirates (following in the paw prints of Manny, Diego and Sid in the film) and see the film in cinemas this summer.

This trailer is part of a series of title specific adverts which are being put together as part of the campaign to build on the success of last years ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ campaign, which aimed to win hearts and minds in the continued challenge posed by copyright infringement, celebrating movie moments that are worth paying for.

Using specifically created animation and the well-known loveable characters, the trailer appeals to the viewer’s emotions and thanks them for making the fourth film in the franchise possible whilst capturing the emotions that watching film and TV can evoke – and positions these as "Moments Worth Paying for".

The collaboration will consist of a 30 second spot to be shown in all cinemas across the UK. The campaign will also highlight the wealth of official ways to watch film and TV by directing viewers to Findanyfilm.com - a gateway to official film and TV services across a range of formats, both on and offline.

Liz Bales, Director General of the Industry Trust for IP Awareness said: Our ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ campaign has had fantastic success to date – not only in the change in attitudes of people watching but also in the awareness it’s provided for the distributers we’re working with. We’re really excited to continue to spread the message with ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTIAL DRIFT to bring greater respect for copyright to a family audience.

Chris Green, UK Theatrical Marketing Director, Twentieth Century Fox said: Supporting the ‘Moments Worth Paying For’ campaign is really important for us as content owners. We understand the importance of campaigns such as this to ensure the consumer understands the link between their support and our on-going ability to provide content of the quality of ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTIAL DRIFT.”

Find out more about Ice Age on Facebook

About the Industry Trust for IP Awareness

The Industry Trust for Intellectual Property Awareness was established in 2004 to tackle the growing issue of film and TV copyright infringement in the UK. Today it has more than 30 members, including Film and TV distributors, cinemas, DVD retailers and home entertainment rental companies.  The Industry Trust seeks to achieve its aims through consumer education and awareness campaigns and the provision of training and information for those working to protect and enforce copyright.  For more information on the Industry Trust’s work visit www.industrytrust.co.uk

The last cinema on earth

Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) jointly announce the completion of THE LAST CINEMA, a new approach to anti-piracy communications for UK audiences.

Commissioned by FDA and made by NFTS graduates, THE LAST CINEMA imagines a devastated near-future world in which unchecked piracy has brought about the end of cinema.

The promo conveys the loss that audiences themselves as well as the industry would feel. It invites them, rather than turning a blind eye to film theft, to alert Crimestoppers, the independent charity that people can call anonymously to pass on information about crime. Details are forwarded in turn to the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), which protects the intellectual property of its members across the audio-visual sector and also supports this new campaign.

FDA has been a “key partner” sponsor of the NFTS, based at Beaconsfield Studios, since 1992. Annual contributions are made every autumn and over the last two decades a seven-figure total has been donated on behalf of UK film distributors. THE LAST CINEMA is the first production that FDA has commissioned from the NFTS.

Written and directed by Jae-ha Myung, the treatment for THE LAST CINEMA was selected by a panel of UK film distributors. The piece was shot at three different locations – one exterior and two interior – in summer 2011. Digital editing and atmospheric visual effects work took place at the NFTS. The promo is available in two versions, running 60 seconds and 20 seconds, both of which have been classified “U” by the British Board of Film Classification. The narration is spoken by distinguished British actor, John Hurt.

Jae-ha Myung and his producer, Andrew Start, graduated from the NFTS in 2011, from the Directing Fiction and Producing courses respectively.

Jae-ha Myung said: “This project has been my first since leaving the NFTS and I’m thrilled with the result. As a filmmaker emerging into the industry, I’m particularly keen that the uniquely immersive, shared experience of the cinema should not be harmed by the illicit sharing of bootleg files or DVDs, and that audiences continue to enjoy a rich array of movies.”

NFTS Director, Nik Powell, said: “The School’s many links with the film industry are incredibly important for the onward careers of our students. For this FDA project we had a clear brief and plenty of creative latitude, and I warmly congratulate Jae and his team on the deeply cinematic, thoughtful piece they have delivered.”

FDA President, Lord Puttnam CBE, said: “FDA’s broad membership is delighted that its long-standing sponsorship relationship with the NFTS has developed in this new and imaginative way. This project is a testament to the creative and technical skills that the young makers have refined at the NFTS, and is a further demonstration of distributors’ passionate commitment to the industry’s long-term development.”

UK CINEMA STAFF REWARDED FOR PREVENTING PIRACY

Earlier this year I got sent over information about an award ceremony from FACT and FDA. Now I have been sent a second one with a new set of awards to cinema staff showing that it's becoming less easy to sneak a camera into a blockbuster and then get it on the internet.

11 employees from cinemas across the UK have been presented with awards totalling £7,000 for their efforts in preventing illegal recordings (so called ‘camcordings’) taking place.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the Film Distributors’ Association (‘FDA’) operate a training, prevention and reward scheme for all UK cinemas. Illegal recordings of films are the primary source for pirate copies worldwide - recordings are uploaded to the internet and made available within hours to millions of people. Film piracy in the UK alone costs legitimate businesses over half a billion pounds a year and directly threatens the jobs of tens of thousands of people who work across the film sector.

FACT works closely with cinema operators to ensure that staff are trained to detect and prevent such recordings, as well as assisting in raising awareness with police on this issue so they are able to assist when called to an incident.

FACT/FDA programme has engaged the support of exhibitors UK-wide. It has achieved great success in reducing the number of recordings taken from UK cinemas, making the UK one of the best protected countries.

Awards summary

• 11 cinema employees are due to receive awards for their actions
• All the incidents were reported to the police
• 5 incidents led to arrests (6 people arrested)
• 3 led to formal cautions in police custody
• 1 led to a landmark first ‘camcording’ conviction in Scotland in July 2011
• 1 is still on bail and pending further action by police

A first-ever reward is being made to an employee (chief projectionist) from an Independent Cinema – The Regent at Leven, Fife.

At a specially-convened ceremony at Paramount Pictures, London, each received a cheque for several hundred pounds for their part in thwarting attempts to record films at their cinema.

All present received a warm welcome and congratulations from FDA Chief Executive Mark Batey who thanked all the award recipients for their vigilance and use of night vision devices, especially when digital recording devices are not easy to spot.

Kieron Sharp, FACT Director General, said that no-one should be in any doubt about the increasing sophistication of those trying to record films, and the increasing difficulty that detecting them presented to cinema staff. The success of those present was therefore particularly worth celebrating, he said, adding:

"These rewards prove the ongoing commitment from everyone working in the film sector to combat piracy. A recording captured in a cinema is the primary source for illicit online files and pirate DVDs and cinema staff are on the front line of the fight; continuing to prevent such recordings in the UK. I am delighted to be able to acknowledge and reward their achievements."
Awards were presented to:

• Richard Rhodes from Odeon Preston
• Rebecca Ashton from Odeon Rochdale
• Daniel McGrath from Empire Bishops Stortford
• Solitaire Bascombe-Short from Cineworld Bexleyheath
• Charles Ellis from Regent Leven Fife
• Fayez Shuray from Odeon Rochdale
• Theo Griffiths from Odeon Birmingham
• Farooq Alamgir from Cineworld Ilford
• Richard Ricketts from Cineworld Wood Green
• Vickie Garner from Junction Goole
• Mike Wiles from Cineworld Renfrew St

Each individual receiving a reward - in many cases matched by a similar amount from their employing company - did so as a result of the FDA-funded scheme available to any member of cinema staff involved in the successful apprehension of film thieves.

CINEMA STAFF REWARDED FOR PREVENTING PIRACY

This is something that just hit my in-box.  I was always a bit cynical about the chances of being caught recording a new film at the cinema.  This is only a small snapshot with the FACT/FDA awards but it does show that cinema staff do take this seriously.  There are images of the event at the bottom of the page.

11 employees from cinemas across the UK have been presented with awards totalling £2,900 for their efforts in preventing illegal recordings (so called ‘camcordings’) taking place.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (‘FACT’) and the Film Distributors’ Association (‘FDA’) operate a training, prevention and reward scheme for all UK cinemas. Illegal recordings of films are the primary source for pirate copies worldwide - recordings are uploaded to the internet and made available within hours to millions of people. Film piracy in the UK alone costs legitimate businesses over half a billion pounds a year and directly threatens the jobs of tens of thousands of people who work across the film sector.

FACT works closely with cinema operators to ensure that staff are trained to detect and prevent such recordings, as well as assisting in raising awareness with police on this issue so they are able to assist when called to an incident.

• 9 camcording incidents are represented
• Police attended all of them
• 2 incidents led to arrests
• 7 incidents led to police cautions at the scene
• 2 led to formal cautions in custody

11 members of cinema-staff are due to receive awards (there are 2 x joint rewards)

At a specially-convened ceremony at Paramount Pictures, London, each received a cheque for several hundred pounds for their part in thwarting attempts to record films at their cinema.

All present received a warm welcome and congratulations from FDA Chief Executive Mark Batey who thanked all the award recipients for their vigilance and use of night vision devices, especially when digital recording devices are not easy to spot.

FACT’s Director of Business, Jim Angell, said that no-one should be in any doubt about the increasing sophistication of those trying to record films, and the increasing difficulty that detecting them presented to cinema staff. The success of those present was therefore particularly worth celebrating, he said, adding:

"These rewards prove the ongoing commitment from everyone working in the film sector to combat piracy. A recording captured in a cinema is the primary source for illicit online files and pirate DVDs and cinema staff are on the front line of the fight; continuing to prevent such recordings in the UK. I am delighted to be able to acknowledge and reward their achievements."

Awards were presented to:

• CALUM BARTOLI - Empire Newcastle
• DOLLY BHATTI - Vue Birmingham
• KERRY BURKES, OLIVER COLLS, JENNY GEARY & CHELSEA GORDON - Cineworld Bexleyheath
• MD- MINHAZUR CHOWDHURY & AMINE MENADLI - Cineworld Wood Green
• LIAM SLATER - Cineworld Ashton
• GINA HAWKINS - Odeon Nuneaton
• CARL LEWIS - Cineworld Wood Green

Each individual receiving a reward - in many cases matched by a similar amount from their employing company - did so as a result of the FDA-funded scheme available to any member of cinema staff involved in the successful apprehension of film thieves.
Further details on the scheme - and more information on the fight against film theft - can be found at www.fightfilmtheft.org.uk

About FACT
The Federation Against Copyright Theft is the UK’s leading trade organisation established to protect and represent the interests of audio-visual and sports rights owners against copyright and trademark infringements. Established in 1983, FACT works closely with statutory law enforcement agencies to combat the growth of online/internet based piracy of film and other forms of broadcast material as well as the continuing threat from pirate DVDs.
More information: www.fact-uk.org.uk

About FDA
Film Distributors’ Association is the trade body promoting the generic interests of UK theatrical film distributors. FDA’s membership of 22 companies accounts for 97% of UK cinemagoing.
More information: www.launchingfilms.com