Governments continue to hold an integral role in supporting creative industries. This is showcased with Australian government funding creative industries. Australian producers have entered a Treaty with other countries such as Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The requirement of the Treaty ensures every coproducer brings 2 factors to the project that must be reasonably proportionate of a financial and creative contribution. This allows for
increased promotion and coverage of Australia as a co-producer worldwide, through projects created. To be granted funding from Screen Australia, features must pass the eligibility test which is known as the Significant Australian Content test. This test is measured by, the subject matter, location of the film, nationalities present and places of residence for individual taking part in the making of the film (Screen Australia, 2021).
An Official co-production is that of production companies that locate countries within the negotiated and signed an official treaty to commence working with. An Unofficial co-production is for those countries who do not have a relevant treaty in place, although continue to produce work. “Co-production treaties help the cooperating companies/countries to work together more efficiently, with less risk of misunderstanding, which saves time and money. This encourages more co-productions to be created, which is ultimately the reason treaties of any kind exist: to facilitate agreement, which increases trade” (Davis, 2014).
A case study we investigated in the lecture is ‘The Meg’, a film about a group of scientists exploring the Marianas Trench encounter the largest marine predator that has ever existed know as the Megalodon. This is a co-production between the US and China, where majority of the filming took place in New Zealand and included a large international cast of stars. The Chinese government requires censorship over their productions, allowing them to gain US$50.3 million for the first weekend and a global weekend of US$141.3 million, when ‘The Meg’ was broadcasted (The Meg, 2018).

While watching ‘The meg’ I personally noticed the censorship incorporated within the film. Limited course language and sexual references were included, much different to other films with little to no restrictions. For me when watching this film, I enjoyed is regardless of the censorship, and I was still able connect with the characters and bring relation to myself and my own life.
References:
Davis, B., 2014. An Introduction To Chinese Films And TV Co-Productions | Student Resources. [online] Nyfa.edu. Available at: https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/introduction-chinese-films-tv-co-productions/
New Zealand Film Commission. 2018. The Meg. [online] Available at: https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/international/showcase/meg
Screen Australia. 2021. Significant Australian content – Eligibility – Guidelines – Producer Offset – Funding and Support – Screen Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support/producer-offset/guidelines/eligibility/significant-australian-content





