Spielberg calls for UK film 'leader'

The director was beamed live over the internet

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg has said that British film-makers need a "great leader" to revive the industry.

Speaking via a live webcast to final year students from Liverpool John Moores University's School of Media, he said he wanted to see British films return to the greatness they enjoyed in the 40s and 50s.

"The British film industry needs a great leader to do here what has been done here many, many years ago," he said.

"I would love to see the British film industry get back on its feet again."

If you're interested in going into films to make money, you're in the wrong business

Steven Spielberg

Known for his blockbusting movies including Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg has also taken a keen interest in the internet's potential for screening lower budget films.

Last November his company, Dreamworks, helped launch Pop.com to show short films and animations online and to encourage independent film-makers to submit their work.

Spielberg and his co-host Brookside creator Phil Redmond were beamed live into the lecture theatre from Hatfield Studios in Hertfordshire.

The millionaire director told the audience of up to 50 students that the key to breaking into films was hard work, attention to detail and listening to others.

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"You must open your ears and eyes to what people around you are saying," he said.

"And if you're interested in going into films to make money, you're in the wrong business."

He was presented with a John Moores University baseball cap - his trademark headgear - and promised to return to the UK.

"I have made almost as many films in England as I have in America," he said.

"I will come back to England again and again."

The lecture was presented by the university's International Centre for Digital Content.

It took 18 ISDN lines to transmit the two-way link up.