Category: Talent and Business Development

Jackdaw debuts with 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Posted on 6 October 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

Jackdaw, the feature-length writing and directorial debut from North East filmmaker, Jamie Childs, which received support from the North East Production Fund, has debuted with 100% on the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes. following its worldwide premiere at Fantastic Fest.

Set in Hartlepool over the course of a single night, the crime drama follows a former motocross champion and army veteran (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) as he searches for his kidnapped brother.

The film stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man, The Haunting of Hill House) as the title character, with other household names including Jenna Coleman – known for her work in Doctor Who, The Sandman and Victoria – This is England star Thomas Turgoose and Game of Thrones star Rory McCann.

It has seen a £300,000 investment from the North East Production Fund, delivered by regional screen agency North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), as part of their ambitious plans to make the region one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs.

Production of the film took place in the Tees Valley area and wrapped at the beginning of this year.

Since its debut at Fantastic Fest in Texas last month, the film has been receiving positive reviews with critics praising the cinematography and nuanced performance from the film’s cast.

The film was also the first feature to make use of the newly opened The Northern Studios in Hartlepool, currently the North East’s only large-scale film and TV studios.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director for North East Screen, who manages the North East Production Fund, said: “Piloting JACKDAW through the North East Production Fund was an easy decision, it allowed us to not only support exceptional North East homegrown talent, but also showcase the North East in a different light for the big screen.

“We have world class talent, world class crew and world class locations here in the North East, and all of these are showcased in JACKDAW – a testament to the work we are doing to build on the growing screen industry in the region.”

To mark the film’s release in UK cinemas by Vertigo Releasing, a glittering star-studded premiere will take place in Tees Valley before a series of local screenings ahead of its release.

Watch the trailer for Jackdaw below

The BBC Small Indie Fund 2023 is now open for applications

Posted on 5 October 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

The BBC has announced the launch of its £1 million BBC Small Indie Fund 2024 to support a range of UK Indies, from start-up companies to more established Indies with ambitious growth plans.

The 2023 Small Indie Fund cohort included six North East production companies: Candle & Bell (Gateshead), MCC Media Limited (Sunderland), Middlechild Productions (Newcastle), Schnoobert Productions (Newcastle), Sea & Sky Pictures (Hartlepool) and Twenty Six 03 Entertainment (Gateshead). Hopefully the 2024 cohort will see more upcoming North East production companies named.

On the success of the North East companies in the 2023 cohort, North East Screen’s Head of Talent and Development, Lisa Laws said: “The region is full of talented creative businesses with an abundance of ideas, skills and incredible determination. The tide is beginning to turn with support for the screen industry in the North East, and funds such as this from the BBC will help to supercharge creative business development, making us a region to look out for nationally and globally.”

The fund, which has been running since 2020, backs talented small independent production companies with turnovers of less than £10million across factual, daytime, drama, comedy, entertainment and children’s TV genres, prioritising diverse-led companies and those based in the Nations and English regions. It is granted to companies based on the strength of their creative potential and aims to support growth and deliver sustainability within the company. Successful companies receive tailored support packages to help their development along with commissioning mentors from the BBC.

Any North East-based company looking to apply for the Small Indie Fund is invited to contact the talent and business development team at North East Screen for an informal chat about applying and continued company development by emailing talent@northeastscreen.org

More information on the BBC Small Indie Fund can be found on the BBC website.

New multi-million pound production fund set to ignite North East screen industry

Posted on 15 September 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

On Tuesday in the heart of London, North East Screen was in the spotlight as it launched its multi-million pound Production Fund to a room full of screen industries movers and shakers. The fund is set to transform the North East and attract more production companies and filmmakers to film in the region hot on the heels of much anticipated studio development plans.

North East talent and locations have starred on screens in recent years with major feature films such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and 1917, as well as much loved TV drama Vera and children’s show The Dumping Ground, all choosing the North East to act as a backdrop.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen said,

“We’ve got world class talent, exciting studio developments, an emerging infrastructure and now a Production Fund to supercharge the screen industry in the North East. We will attract more high-end TV productions, feature films and returning series to the region, providing more jobs and opportunities for regional and re-locating crew.”

Piloted in early 2023, the North East Production Fund has so far funded three very different productions: feature film JACKDAW from Tees Valley-born Director, Jamie Childs, and Anton Corp; unscripted children’s TV show, Cooking with the Gills, from Sunderland-based MCC Media, for Milkshake; and highly-anticipated drama, The Red King, from Quay Street Productions for UKTV.

Speaking of the support they have received from the Production Fund, Samantha McMillion, Chief Operating Officer at Quay Street Productions said,

“The support we have received from North East Screen through the Production Fund has been extraordinary. The team at North East Screen strive to work as a partner to production and have ensured that communication, and their approach, is collaborative throughout. Their team has been fantastic to work with and I would encourage other productions to seriously consider filming in the North East.

“Being able to provide jobs for local people, support trainees from the region and contribute to the continued growth of the industry in the North East is something we really value at Quay Street.”

Feature film JACKDAW is Tees Valley-born Jamie Childs’ directorial debut, shot in and around the area he grew up in. He said,

“I come from a northern colliery village and I’ve always wanted to make things here. The film shows off the North East in a very stylised and fictional way and allowed me and the great cast and crew to just have fun filming it.”

Delivered by regional screen agency, North East Screen, on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), the discretionary fund looks to support scripted and unscripted film and TV productions from both indigenous companies and incoming productions with grants being made between £50,000 up to £500,000. All applications are judged by an independent panel of industry experts following a rigorous application process.

NESIP is the ambitious partnership of all 12 local and combined authorities across North East England investing in growing the screen industry, driving inward investment and creating local jobs. North East Screen is delivering this groundbreaking programme to grow a thriving screen ecosystem which includes a hands-on film office service and significant skills and talent support. In a tough economic environment the North East is both ready to invest in productions ready to shoot immediately, but also interested in having conversations about development opportunities which best showcase the talent and beauty of the region with even more funding opportunities on the horizon. Productions should complete an Expression of Interest at www.northeastscreen.org/project/production-fund.

Alison Gwynn, Jamie Childs, and David Parfitt

We are hiring – come work for the North East Screen family!

Posted on 13 September 202313 September 2023 by North East Screen

We are looking for two people to join us as Development Coordinator and Skills Coordinator and continue to develop and support the North East’s film and TV industry.

If you love film and TV, have solid admin skills, a creative eye and want to make an impact then the Development Coordinator role may be just right for you. You’ll be part of the Talent and Business Development team helping to support North East companies and talent to land opportunities and thrive.

There’ll be a number of administrative duties you’ll have to do and be first port of call for all development related enquiries, as well as assisting the wider team with events and content creation.

Apply now for the Development Coordinator role.

If you fancy helping people get work in film and TV and supporting them on their journey, then apply to be our Skills Coordinator? You will be part of the Film Office team, reporting to the Skills Manager.

Your role will see you support North East based crew and those looking to get into the industry, offering insights on work opportunities, and give our Crew Academy members support and advice that will lead to them landing that next role. You’ll also look after our Crew Academy database, ensuring it is up-to-date and explore ways to grow and maintain it.

Apply now for the Skills Coordinator role.

You have until Midnight, Sunday 8^th October to apply.

North East Screen announces ten North East indies set to be the champions for the region’s TV and film industry

Posted on 21 July 20238 August 2023 by North East Screen

Pact and North East Screen joint initiative – Future North East – names its ten participating indies aiming to fast track them to global businesses.

Pact and North East Screen have announced the ten ambitious North East indies who are the beneficiaries of their supercharged development programme, Future North East, following an in-depth selection process by a panel of leading UK TV and film industry experts.

Future North East is based on Pact’s successful Future30 scheme – which launched in 2021 as part of its 30^th anniversary celebrations – and is designed to identify promising indies in the North East and unlock their potential to grow as global businesses.

The ten successful indies are: Gateshead-based Candle & Bell, Motif, TwentySix-03 and Signpost Productions; Newcastle-based Schnoobert Productions, Northern Child and Try Life; Sunderland-based MCC Media; Hartlepool-based Sea & Sky Pictures; and Middlesbrough-based Wander Films.

The two-year scheme gives each indie a tailored leadership and development programme with access to leading industry experts, led by Pact’s Managing Director of Business Development & Global Strategy, Dawn McCarthy-Simpson MBE, providing them with the tools to grow their business ambitions.

Commenting on the successful companies, Lisa Laws, North East Screen’s Head of Talent and Business Development, said:

“The ten chosen companies have already grabbed attention from broadcasters, distributors and potential co-producers. Between them they present a diverse, active slate, and a real desire to grow inclusive companies that deliver global screen content across a range of platforms to current and future markets.

“Future North East builds on North East Screen’s working relationship with Pact, and is going to energise and connect these companies to experts that will enable them to move to the next level.

“We all share a common goal of making the North East a place where sustainable, world class film and TV companies thrive. What makes this a very special group is that they are all backing each other for success and supporting one another to make a difference making sure our region a great place for talent to live and work.”

Pact’s Managing Director of Business Development & Global Strategy, Dawn McCarthy-Simpson MBE, said:

“It’s great to see such talent coming through the North East and a good sign for the future of the British screen sector. Well done to the successful applicants and we look forward to working with them over the next two years to help them develop their businesses.”

Maria Caruana Galizia, Managing Director at Candle & Bell said:

“I’m delighted to be part of Future North East. It’s a really exciting time for Candle & Bell as well as the wider film and tv industry in the region, and it’s great to have the support from PACT and North East Screen as we look to grow as a company. The entire cohort of producers on Future NE are all incredibly talented and experienced, and we’re thrilled to be part of the scheme.”

Paul Irwin, Director of Try Life said:

“Being part of this scheme has come at the perfect time for us as we move into the next phase as a business. The support from Pact and North East Screen is exactly the kind of support we need as we finalise a handful of commissions. Networking with the other nine companies and all working together to bring success to the region is extremely exciting.”

Andrew Eastel, Creative Director at Northern Child said:

“Northern Child are delighted to have been accepted onto the Future North East scheme, and very grateful for the opportunity. There is huge potential for a thriving TV industry in this region but that starts with sustaining and growing businesses like ours and the other indies on the scheme – all of which are led by super-talented local creatives who will be hugely successful given this kind of support.”

James Craggs, Co-Founder of Motif said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be selected as one of the companies to benefit from the Future North East initiative. It’ll be an amazing two years which will help us improve every facet of our company. We’re at the start of our journey now and having access to PACT as well as a network of other North East-based companies to grow with will be of huge benefit.”

Adam Bouabda, Founder of Sea & Sky Pictures said:

“It’s fantastic to be supported by PACT and North East Screen. As a self-confessed ‘Cowboy’ of this industry, it’s very important that someone has got our back and can guide us through the building of the business so that we can focus on being creative. PACT has been a great resource for us in the past and with this programme, it will take us to the next level as a production company.”

Gareth Deighan, Creative Director at Signpost Productions said:

“Everyone at Signpost Productions is very excited that we have been named as one of the companies on the Future North East scheme. We are delighted to be among the other exciting North East-based companies who were also selected. We’re really looking forward to learning lots and continuing to grow.“

The cohort have already come together in person for an introduction to the programme, with more bespoke support planned for the forthcoming months including peer-to-peer sessions, introductions to commissioners, and strategy building workshops.

As the screen industries continues to grow in the North East under the steer of North East Screen, regional indies will be a vital piece of the jigsaw in creating a sustainable industry and ensuring there are opportunities for people wanting to work in film and TV in the North East.

Click here to learn more about the companies selected.

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North East Screen and Pact launch Future North East

Posted on 27 April 202327 April 2023 by Jo Macleod

North East Screen and Pact are today launching a joint initiative Future North East at this year’s Creative Cities Convention in Newcastle.

The two-year scheme is open to both members and non-members of Pact based in the North East, and benefits include two years’ free Pact membership and a supercharged, tailored development programme giving participants access to industry experts to help them to develop and grow their businesses.

While speaking at the Creative Cities Convention in Newcastle, North East Screen Chairman, David Parfitt, announced the launch of the scheme and asked indies to get in touch with the North East Screen Talent and Business Development team to register their interest.

Applications will open on 5^th May and indies will be invited to submit a video pitch to be judged by a panel of experienced producers and experts, with the winners unveiled at the end of May with the first bootcamp taking place in June.

For further information and to register interest, companies are invited to email: talent@northeastscreen.org.

Commenting on the launch of the scheme, David Parfitt, said:

“We have a developing network of indies here in the North East, and are delighted to be launching Future North East with Pact.

“This presents a unique opportunity for North East indies to benefit from the deep knowledge of leading industry experts to help prepare them for global business opportunities.”

Pact’s Managing Director of Business Development & Global Strategy Dawn McCarthy-Simpson MBE said:

“Following the success of Pact’s Future30 scheme over the past two years, we are delighted to be able to roll this out in the North East in partnership with North East Screen.

“The North East has a wealth of talent and we look forward to working with the selected indies to help them grow their businesses.”

For more information about the Future North East scheme, eligibility criteria, timescales and how to apply, please visit our project page.