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Documentary produced by Northern Child for Channel 4 available to stream

Posted on 17 December 2024 by North East Screen

Newcastle-based production company Northern Child have produced a documentary for Channel 4 Digital’s ‘In Too Deep’ strand, in association with North East Screen.

Plastic, Printed & Deadly follows presenter Snake Denton as he explores the rapidly evolving technology behind 3D-printed firearms, and how accessible the instructions and materials are in the UK.

Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen said: “We welcomed the chance to work with Laura Marks at Channel 4 on this digital first commission. Northern Child, who won the pitch, are an incredibly experienced team who have developed great content and talent since setting up in our region.

“We had full faith that Northern Child would deliver an excellent thought-provoking project that will capture audiences’ attention and spark much needed debate.”

The documentary will be available to stream today (17th of December) from 5pm on YouTube.

North East Screen backs global business

Posted on 13 December 202413 December 2024 by North East Screen

North East Screen unveils an exclusive partnership with Media MDs, a recently-launched bespoke agency. The partnership will deliver a ground-breaking programme for creative companies based in the region.

The North East Screen Business Growth Programme combines the strengths of both organisations, and will support company leaders to capitalise on strategic expansion opportunities.

Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen said: “When Media MDs first came to the market, we knew their offering could be of benefit to so many of the creative companies we work with in the region, so it made total sense to partner with them in evolving North East Screen Business Growth Programme. Our companies are already winning more commissions, this transformative initiative will support the North East to become a leading force in the UK’s creative industries.”

Media MDs’ Co-Founders Jane Atkinson and Samantha Lawrence said: “Collaborating with North East Screen allows us to harness and support the region’s exciting talent and ambition. Together, we aim to create a thriving and burgeoning business ecosystem that not only bolsters local growth but also puts the North East on the global map. Jane herself is from Middlesbrough and remains in the region, so is a proud advocate of what is possible with the right ambition, tools and strategic guidance. And we hope this program will assist with just that.”

Jane Atkinson brings decades of experience in the industry, having led the production teams on such iconic shows as Deal or No Deal, Strictly Come Dancing, and BBC’s major events coverage. As Fremantle’s former Director of Global Production, she oversaw 35 international teams delivering global hits like Got Talent and Too Hot to Handle, with a particular focus on international business models and working with streaming platforms.

Samantha Lawrence served as Manging Director at Box To Box Films, guiding the company through a period of exponential growth and securing significant investment. Prior to that, she spent seven years at NBCUniversal with 5 of those as Managing Director of award-winning label, Monkey Kingdom. She was MD of Silver River Productions for 10 years before selling it to Sony.

If you’re a North East based indie with a track record of delivering to UK broadcast markets and are looking to grow your business, click here to register your interest.

The closing date for this opportunity is the Friday the 24th of January.

Smoggie Queens turns Middlesbrough Town Hall pink with glizty premiere

Posted on 3 December 20243 December 2024 by Jo Macleod

The BBC’s latest comedy, Smoggie Queens, funded by the North East Production Fund, turned Middlesbrough Town Hall pink last week as the iconic building played host to the premiere of the laugh-out-load comedy set on Teesside.

Written and staring Middlesbrough native Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens is a side-spliting comedy about an LGBTQIA+ group of friends who are fiercely proud of their town and community. Phil plays volatile Dickie, alongside matriarchal drag queen ‘Mam’ (Mark Benton, Waterloo Road, Northern Lights), self-styled hun Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell, Coronation Street), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe, Vera) and baby gay Stewart (newcomer Elijah Young). They are joined by an impressive supporting cast featuring Michelle Visage (Drag Race UK) and well known Teessiders Steph McGovern (Steph’s Packed Lunch), Charlotte Riley (Peaky Blinders) and Bill Fellows (Coronation Street, Ted Lasso).

The premiere saw cast, crew, North East Screen and BBC stakeholders as well as 500 public guests fill the Town Hall for a preview of episode 1 and 3 before they aired on BBC Three and iPlayer on Thursday 28^th November.

The stars of the show as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ community strutted their stuff along the pink carpet speaking to local media outlets and posing for photos. Drag Race UK runner up and Geordie drag queen, Michael Morouli, hosted the event and a Q&A with the cast following the screening.

Filming of Smoggie Queens took place throughout the summer in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe, with support from North East Screen’s Film Office. A large portion of crew were from the North East and a number of trainees got their first experience of a scripted series via the support of the North East Screen Skills team.

You can watch Smoggie Queens on iPlayer now. Or, catch it on BBC Three on Thursdays at 9pm.

We are hiring – Finance Director

Posted on 22 November 202422 November 2024 by North East Screen

We are looking for a Finance Director to join our team.

It is a very exciting time for the organisation as we begin to plan not only the future of the organisation – but of the screen industry in the North East.

If you’re an experienced leader and team player with an in depth understanding of cash flow and risk management looking for a challenge where you will manage seven figure budgets and demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset this might be the challenge for you.

This role is based at The Beam in Sunderland with some work in our Hartlepool office, The Bis.

Interested? Follow this link to read more and view the full Job Description.

Please send your CV and cover letter aligning your skills and experience to those in the Job Description to work@northeastscreen.org by midnight on Wednesday 18th December 2024. Interviews will be held in Sunderland week commencing 6th January 2025.

New Comedy Series Transaction, Starring Jordan Gray and Nick Frost, Begins Filming in Tees Valley

Posted on 19 November 2024 by North East Screen

ITVX has commissioned Transaction, a 6×30 comedy from Big Talk Studios, created by and starring award-winning comedy performer Jordan Gray.

Filming in Hartlepool, the workplace comedy also stars Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, How To Train Your Dragon, Get Away), Doon Mackichan (Two Doors Down, Good Omens), Thomas Gray (Peacock, A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder), and Francesca Mills (The Witcher, Boat Story).

Jordan Gray stars as Liv, a transgender egomaniac, causing havoc in the strange world of the supermarket nightshift.

Having been hired to work there by Pellocks boss Simon (Frost) after he inadvertently offended the LGBTQ+ community with an ill-conceived marketing campaign, Liv soon realises she’s unsackable and sets about turning the store into her own personal playground, unleashing chaos on everyone and everything around her.

Transaction promises to be a colourful and noisy comedy from writer-performer Gray.
ITV’s Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes, said: “Jordan Gray’s unique blend of humour and creativity certainly make Transaction an exciting and engaging comedy. We cannot wait to see Jordan Gray and Nick Frost in action.”

Big Talk Studios CEO and Executive Producer, Kenton Allen, said: “Transaction promises to be a very eye-catching contemporary comedy, with Jordan Gray, Nick Frost and Thomas Gray forming an unlikely but electric three-some. Jordan’s razor-sharp writing and timing paired with Nick’s legendary comedic presence is comedy dynamite. And of course, it’s always a thrill to work with Mr Frost, a Big Talk OG of the finest vintage.”

Transaction Creator and cast member, Jordan Gray, said: “My one true goal with this show is to create something as timeless as my implants.”

Transaction (6×30) is a Big Talk Studios production, which is part of ITV Studios, for ITVX. It was commissioned by Nana Hughes, Head of Comedy, ITV. The series is written and created by Jordan Gray. The Executive Producers are Kenton Allen, Lucy Robinson, Jordan Gray, and Nick Frost, and the Producer is Lara Singer (Peacock). The Director is Ollie Parsons (Breeders, Man Like Mobeen). The series is produced in association with and will be distributed by ITV Studios. Additional funding support comes from the North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen.

Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day Begins Filming in the North East with Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders, and Haley Bennett

Posted on 19 November 202419 November 2024 by North East Screen

Production is underway in Newcastle, UK on Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day, adapted for the screen by Justine Waddell (Janine Jensen Falling for Stradivari, Force of Nature Natalia) and directed by BAFTA nominee Tina Gharavi (I Am Nasrine, Queen Cleopatra).

Jack Whitehall (Jungle Cruise, Decline & Fall, Good Omens), Jennifer Saunders (Death on the Nile, Sumotherhood, Allelujia), and Sally Phillips (Love at First Sight, Bridget Jones Diary) have joined the ensemble cast. Other cast members include Misia Butler (Kaos), Alex Macqueen (Downton Abbey), Simon Phillips (The Witcher) and Frances Barber (Goal!).

Haley Bennett (Widow Cliquot, Cyrano, Girl on a Train) will play the lead, as previously announced, with BAFTA-winner Timothy Spall (The Sixth Commandment, The King’s Speech, Harry Potter franchise), British singerLily Allen (How to Build a Girl) and German superstar Elyas M’Barek (Fack ju Göhte, This Crazy Heart, The Collini Case).

Set in an era when glass ceilings were made of concrete, Bennett will play Katharine Hilbery — one woman who insisted on reaching for the stars. Based on what has been called Woolf’s funniest novel, Night and Day is described as an “unromantic comedy” about a passionate astronomer who does everything she can to avoid romantic love and marriage. Contemporary in tone, the story of Katharine’s bold challenge to the Edwardian patriarchy is set against the backdrop of the suffragette movement and advances in science and technology, at the turn of the 20^thcentury.

Woolf is considered one of the most important 20^th century modernist authors. Her novels have been translated into over 50 languages. Night and Day, one of her early novels, examines the relationships between love, marriage, happiness and success.

The picture is produced by Justine Waddell (Janine Jensen Falling for Stradivari, Force of Nature Natalia), Christopher Figg (Golda, Silk Road, Mandy), Meg Thomson (Freud’s Last Session, Siren, Dot The I), Stephen Julius, Philipp Steffens (God You’re Such A Prick, Racing Hearts), Julie Link (Misfit) and Marc Grewe (The Queen’s Gambit, Babylon Berlin). Annegret Weitkämper–Krug, Egor Noskov, Margarethe Baillou, Lara Ta, Nadya Gorshkova and Konstantin Korenchuk will Executive Produce. Sebastian Leutner will Co-Produce.

WestEnd is handling international sales, and US Domestic will be co-repped by WestEnd and WME Independent. The film is financed by Sandylands Developments Ltd., M.Y.R.A. Entertainment, Tsavorite Films, Ciara Filmproduction, and Star Mountain Pictures with funding support by North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen, the Film-und Medienstiftung NRW, the MFG Baden-Württemberg, German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and development financing from the BFI (awarding National Lottery Funding). The film is a UK-German co-production, between Asterisk Films, Piccadilly Pictures, and GLISK a Federation Studios company. Co-production partners are Gretchenfilm, Senator Film, and German Film Partners, with filming taking place in Newcastle and in the areas around Cologne. WildBunch will distribute the film in GAS.

North East Screen awards free WFTV memberships in the North East

Posted on 14 November 202415 November 2024 by North East Screen

North East Screen has awarded 20 talented women and non-binary people working in the film and TV industry in the region with free memberships to Women in Film and TV (WFTV). WFTV is an organisation who provide valuable resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. These memberships will support their career development, enabling them to forge connections and access training relevant to their role within the industry.

Samantha Neale, an actor and screenwriter with a TV show in development with Channel 4, said:

“As a working-class parent of two, this opportunity comes at a crucial time as I take the next steps towards building a successful and enduring writing career. I am incredibly grateful to North East Screen for this offer, and I look forward to accessing the many benefits of WFTV membership. I hope to use this time to connect with agents, producers, filmmakers and fellow writers with the goal of forging lasting relationships and future creative collaborations.”

Sarah Howie, a Line Producer who has previously worked on The Red King which filmed in the North East in 2023, said:

“My first job in the Television industry was on Byker Grove and all these years later very lucky to still be working the industry in the North East. I’m currently stepping up from Production Manager to Line Producer on the next production. I’m looking forward to being part of the WFTV and being involved in events and networking and hopefully being able to contribute.”

See the full list of recipients below:

Alice Pargiter

Bridget Deane

Emily McNally

Francesca Sardone

Hannah McParlin

Harriet Parvin

Josephine Key

Karol Iwan

Katie Elliot

Kerry Ward

Laura Moscrop

Lou Brannon

Maddy Williamson

Maria McNally

Rachael Bradley

Rachel Crawford

Roos James

Sam Claypole

Samantha Neale

Sarah Howie

Click here to learn more about the recipients.

Laura Moscrop, a camera trainee who has worked on a number of shows filming in the North East including Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and The Big Idea Works, said:

“I am thrilled to have been selected to receive a WFTV membership from North East Screen. I look forward to becoming a part of the WFTV community enabling me to expand my network and experience within the film and TV industry. I hope to connect and learn from other women within the camera department as well as meet others from across the industry. I also look forward to participating in WFTV events through the membership.”

As part of WFTV, members will be able to access a range of resources throughout the year, including events, bursaries, mentoring and professional development schemes.

This opportunity was announced earlier this year at a networking event organised by North East Screen, in partnership with WFTV at the Black Swan in Newcastle.

At the event, Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “Seeing so many women involved in the North East screen industry in one room is extraordinary! WFTV is a brilliant organisation, and we are thrilled to be working with them and offering 20 WFTV memberships for above and below-the-line talent. We hope to provide more opportunities via WFTV to North East-based women and non-binary people in the near future.”

North East Screen is proud to support these individuals and their career progression, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to fostering diversity and talent in the region’s film and TV industry.

Smoggie Queens to have star-studded pink carpet premiere in Middlesbrough

Posted on 11 November 202415 November 2024 by North East Screen

Smoggie Queens, an uproarious new BBC comedy series that celebrates the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Middlesbrough, will have a star-studded premiere at the Town Hall on the 27^th of November.

Written by Middlesbrough native, Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens tells the story of volatile Dickie (Dunning) along with drag queen Mam (Mark Benton), self-styled hun Lucinda (Alexandra Mardell), awkward Sal (Patsy Lowe) and newcomer Stewart (Elijah Young) as they navigate love, life and their pride for a town that feels neglected in its own little corner of the UK. It’s an underdog story on two fronts, so expect a few passionate scraps that may send your wig flying!

The main cast are all set to attend the exclusive premiere, which will preview two episodes from the series ahead of its broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer followed by the chance to quiz the cast in a Q&A after the screening.

If you would like to attend the premiere, you can enter a free ticket ballot on the BBC website.

Tickets will be allocated by random draw with 80% of the tickets going to Middlesborough postcodes and 20% going to the rest of the UK.

You can register for a maximum of two tickets before 11.59pm on Monday 18 November.

Smoggie Queens (6 x 30) is a Hat Trick production (Derry Girls, Outnumbered, Have I Got News For You and Episodes) for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, and funding support by North East Screen Industries Partnership delivered by North East Screen with worldwide distribution by Hat Trick International. The series was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy. The producer is Chris Jones (Kate & Koji, Whistle Through The Shamrocks) and the director is Andrew Chaplin (Alma’s Not Normal, The Full Monty). The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Gregor Sharp.

North East Screen Backs New Writing North’s Screenwriting Weekender

Posted on 31 October 202431 October 2024 by North East Screen

North East Screen is excited to support New Writing North to bring Screenwriting Weekender, a major TV industry event, to Newcastle. The event is aimed at writers from across the north and features a keynote speech from critically acclaimed, North East screenwriter Peter Straughan (Conclave [2024], Wolf Hall [2015], Frank [2014]).

Screenwriting Weekender takes place at the Live Theatre in Newcastle from 31 January to 2 February, 2025.

It features leading screenwriters, such as Tony Schumacher (The Responder), executives from TV production companies such as Clerkenwell (Baby Reindeer), Merman (Motherland) Warp (The Virtues) and RED (It’s a Sin) as well current opportunities from BBC Writers.

It will also showcase tips on how to break into TV scriptwriting from agents at Curtis Brown and Casarotto.

The event features a keynote speech from the critically acclaimed screenwriter, Peter Straughan.

His credits include this year’s highly anticipated film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, and the BAFTA award-winning, Academy nominated film, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (co-written by Bridget O’Connor) starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch. He also adapted Hilary Mantel’s the BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Wolf Hall for the BBC, and its forthcoming sequel, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which is currently in production. 

Tony Schumacher, behind the hit Liverpool drama, The Responder, starring Martin Freeman, based on his own experiences as a Merseyside police officer, will be in conversation with the South Shields-based screenwriter, Emile Robson, exploring his inspiring story, how he navigates the industry and his approach to writing.

Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring New Writing North on The Screenwriting Weekender which has an impressive line-up of world class talent.

“Stories are the lifeblood of our industry and the region has a rich history of storytelling in all its forms. However, for years we have lacked a visible local screen industry. That is starting to change with the North East seeing an 89% increase in film and TV production over the last two years, and a fourfold increase in commissions from the region. For anyone who wants to make the most of these new opportunities to get their untold stories in front of global audiences, this event is a must.”

The weekend will explore a range of topics from demystifying writers’ rooms and creating iconic characters right through to pitching.

The leading entertainment company, FilmNation TV, is supporting 10 bursary places to support northern writers who would otherwise be unable to access the event to take part.

Kirstie Macdonald, Creative Director, FilmNation TV UK, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this exciting event amongst such wonderful local talent, and to be part of the renewed wave of enthusiasm for our fantastic region.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I am determined to make the North East a powerhouse of creativity and culture, because that will open the door to opportunities that can transform people’s lives. Screenwriting Weekender shows how we can make this happen, by helping people find routes to get ahead in the film and TV industries.

“We have a proud screenwriting legacy with the likes of Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, and Peter Flannery bringing iconic shows like Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Our Friends In The North to TV screens. As Mayor I want the North East’s diverse new voices to be heard and seen across the world by helping unearth a new generation of talent.”

Roxy McKenna, Development Producer (Screen) at New Writing North, said: “It’s a chance to hear from those working at the coal face of TV, with invaluable insights and exercises, from creating an unputdownable opening for your script, to sessions with leading agents on how to break into the industry, to learning to pitch ideas with leading development producers. There’ll also be a focus on the writing itself – how to navigate audience trends, maintain creativity and generally, be inspired. There will also be an opportunity to network with other writers, as well as producers and funders at mixers throughout the weekend.”

Click here to secure your space.

Sky Arts Picks Up Mark Warmington’s ‘Harder Than The Rock’

Posted on 18 October 202418 October 2024 by North East Screen

Sky Arts have picked up Mark Warmington’s feature documentary, Harder Than the Rock: The Cimarons Story. It will air on Sky Arts on Friday the 18th of October at 10pm.

The film made its world premiere at the prestigious Sheffield Documentary Festival this year on the 15th of June at the Crucible Theatre. A Margot Films/J6 Films production, the film was theatrically released this Autumn nationwide via distribution from J6 & Source Entertainment, to acclaimed reviews and national press coverage.

Mark Kermode described it as “An infectiously engaging and very moving rhapsody for the groundbreaking rebels dubbed ‘the backbone of British reggae’.”

Daniel Dylan Wray wrote in the Guardian “As the documentary captures with real warmth, tenderness and humour, the band are lovingly back together.”

Harder Than the Rock chronicles the incredible journey of Britain’s first reggae band, Cimarons. Formed by teenage Jamaican immigrants in a London bus shelter in 1967. Cimarons were at the forefront of the reggae explosion in the 1970s. Thousands of miles from Jamaica, they brought excitement, experimentation, and sheer anticipation to Black British youth, connecting them to their roots and identity through powerful music. The Cimarons collaborated with industry legends such as Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and even Paul McCartney. Despite their significant contributions, the band has been largely under-recognised for their music, impact, and legacy. The film poignantly captures their history and follows their final chapter as they dream of performing, one last time.

Mark Warmington, the director of Harder Than the Rock said: “I’m thrilled that the film has been acquired by Sky Arts, the UK’s leading platform dedicated to arts programming. I want to say a huge thank you to all who have supported the film and Cimarons for entrusting me to tell their story; I’m delighted that they are finally receiving some long overdue recognition.”

James Baxter, the producer, added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working on this with Mark. His passion and commitment to get this film over the line has been unwavering. We feel Sky Arts is its perfect home for the film and can’t wait for the UK audience to the discover this untold story of Cimarons.’’

For more information, press inquiries, or interview requests, please contact: J6 Films at james@j6films.co.uk