Film Industry - Belstone Pictures

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Belstone Pictures 

Belstone Pictures came about by former Hurtwood House Student. Finn Cardigan Bruce, was a part of the Hurtwood film academy where he created, directed and filmed many documentaries. Once he left Hurtwood he founded Belstone Pictures with an ambition to create meaningful and inspiring films. Finn travelled as a photographer around America before he came back to London where he immersed himself in the ‘on set’ life of film. He worked on various Tv shows and Films such as Downton Abbey, Top Gear, X Factor and other recognised media productions. Finn carried on working for other people until 2016 when he started to fully focus on Belstone Pictures and apply all of his knowledge to the company. Fast forwards, and Finn has produced successful films which have won and been nominated for many awards. He raised 1 million pounds of independent equity.   

Tucked, Belstone's most accomplished film, is a story about 70 year old drag queen and his friendship that forms with a younger queen. They share similar struggles with one another about gender identity and how they are perceived by society. The film is dramatic, funny, loving and heart wrenching.

Some awards Finn or his film ‘Tucked’ have won 

 

Awards won (Quoted from the Belstones Website) 

BIFA 2019 

FINN BRUCE  

Nomination - Breakthrough Producer. 

  

Outfest LA 2018 

TUCKED - BELSTONE PICTURES 

Winner - Grand Jury Prize - Outstanding Narrative Feature 

Winner - Audience Award - Outstanding Narrative Feature 

  

Naples International Film Festival 2018 

TUCKED - BELSTONE PICTURES 

Winner - Best Narrative Feature 

 

Beloit International Film Festival 2018 

TRACKS - BELSTONE PICTURES 

Winner - Executive Director's Award 

  

Out On Film Festival, Atlanta 2018 

TUCKED - BELSTONE PICTURES 

Winner - Audience Award - Best Feature 

  

Filmfest Homochrom 2018 

TUCKED - BELST
ONE PICTURES 

Winner - Audience Award - Best Fiction Feature 

 

Distribution partners

  Tucked's Gross is $22,000 estimated in the Uk only limited release. Its budget was 50,000 pounds.

Tank 432 budget: 150,000 pounds   

London Based

 

Belstone Pictures is based on Oakley Street, London and has been running since 2012. The company doesn't own any subsidiaries, this naturally would put the them under financial pressure. They use to tent pole strategy in order to create more films. For example, creating Tucked (an appealing hot topic film) gives the company the finances to create more smaller films. Finn cleverly uses synergy with several partners, these partners finance Belstone so they have the ability to green light projects. 

Available Films:

• Tank 432 2015 
• Tracks 2018  
• Tucked 2018 

 

There are 13 projects in development, 1 in pre production and 1 in post production. 

Some examples of development films:

• The company tends to use unknown actors, In Tucked they used unrecognised actors and only used one location to shoot. They did this to work within their budget. It also heaps the viewers to focus into the story appeal. They use locals and find less known, talented actors instead of using big actors as their marketing scheme. Instead, they use the emotion, honesty and the reviews of the film to create interest and demand. 

• The advantage of being a small institution is that you can attract a specific target audience. An independent film company have the freedom to address worldly topics, specific issues and have the 'art appeal'. They don't have the pressure of creating an entertaining film where you escape into the story, as bigger companies may face this. In Tucked they touch on a controversial niche issue, a love drama and 'hot' topic. On the Belstone website they feature this quote which i believe gives insight into their views on creating films. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside" - Maya Angelou.