“It’s a great time to be British in the entertainment industry,” Variety publisher and co-president Dear Lawrence told an enthusiastic crowd in London on Monday, explaining why the magazine is bringing one of its leading series, Power of Women, to the British capital.
Lawrence was in conversation with Katie Wickremesinghe, creator of content platform The Wick, at an event hosted by Culture 3 in partnership with UK House as part of SXSW London’s packed schedule, which kicked off its second edition on Monday.
British film and premium TV production costs rose 22% last year to £6.8 billion ($9.12 billion), according to the British Film Institute.
“This is a pivotal moment where creativity, technology and storytelling are converging, and the UK’s incredible talent, production facilities and intellectual property allow it to resonate culturally far beyond our national borders,” Lawrence said. “And what’s happening now is that London and the UK are the second biggest entertainment capital in the world. That’s why we’re here with Power of Women and why we’re hosting many more events.”
Variety’s Power of Women London event was held on Wednesday and was attended by honorees Emilia Clarke, Emma Corrin, Cynthia Erivo, Hannah Waddingham and Suki Waterhouse.
Lawrence said that while the UK’s tax benefits and strong local staff and creative talent were big draws, the country’s “unique storytelling” was also very important. “While the stories being told here are uniquely British, there is an element of rare magic that translates globally and that is something truly special.”
Lawrence also spoke about Variety’s evolution from a daily newspaper to a multiplatform publisher over its 120-year history. “Variety started out reporting the news, and now we’re reporting the news, interpreting the news, connecting the community to the news and being part of the conversation,” she said.
She also explained how Variety’s franchises have created cultural moments, such as the one Sydney Sweeney sparked last year at the Power of Women event in Los Angeles and Timothée Chalamet’s performance with Actors on Actors. “We are a cultural brand,” she said.
Lawrence also commented on the growth of AI and other technologies in show business, but stressed that the “human element” remains central. “We’re going to be able to use AI and some of this new technology in collaboration with humans to create better things,” she said. “I don’t know if you can make a $50 million movie by yourself, probably not, but you’ll be able to make things that you couldn’t make 10 years ago. I hope this helps create more projects.”
