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Our Connected Campus pilot with The Northern School of Art has already begun delivering real impact for students. The programme which is designed in partnership to bridge the gap between creative study and real-world screen industry experience, gives students exclusive access to industry masterclasses, hands-on workshops, and employability support.

Now four modules in, the programme is already proving transformative, with students from across Film, TV & Theatre, Animation, Illustration, Photography, Model Making & VFX, Costume Design and Production for Stage and Screen, gaining practical skills, confidence and industry insight.

Engaging with industry from day one

Connected Campus has brought together a diverse range of high profile industry professionals (who are all based in the North East), offering students fresh perspectives on roles in the industry, developing transferable skills and establishing life-long careers in TV & Film, right here in the region.

So far, the following have provided their time and expertise:

• Sarah Howie on Production Roles — as an experienced Production Manager and Line Producer, Sarah introduced students to production roles, communication, workflow and the collaborative structure of a film set.
• Jason Cook on Screenwriting — writer, comedian and business owner Jason provided students with crucial insights into storytelling, character development and screenplay structure. The students worked in groups developing and pitching their own ideas and receiving valuable direct feedback from Jason.
• Malcolm Wilkie on Storyboarding – Concept and storyboard artist Malcolm gave real world examples from his career in advertising, film and TV. He delivered a storyboarding-technique masterclass, focussing on shot types, movement and framing.
• Lynsey Palmer on Production Management — Production Manager Lynsey’s workshop offered real-world expertise on scheduling, logistics, troubleshooting and managing departments with an opportunity to complete actual paperwork.

Hands-on learning with real production tools

A defining achievement of Connected Campus so far is the level of practical, industry-standard experience provided.

Students have:

• Used professional radios to practise clear on‑set communication — a vital skill across every production department.
• Worked with scripts and call sheets, learning how information is shared across teams, how shoots are structured, and how different roles interact.
• Taken part in collaborative exercises mirroring real production processes, preparing them for set ready behaviour and professional expectations

Cross‑discipline collaboration in action

One of the programme’s key strengths is the way it has brought together students across multiple creative disciplines — from animators and model makers, to photographers and costume designers.

This mirrors the real screen industry, where effective collaboration across departments is essential. We’ve seen students sharing creative approaches, understand how story, design, performance and visualisation interconnect, and learn how each department contributes to the bigger production picture. This is already shaping stronger project work and helping students recognise where their place within the industry might be.

Building momentum for the screen industry

By giving students early access to industry professionals, set-ready skills and employability support, the programme is helping create local talent pathways that will feed directly into the growing screen sector within the region. These students are already benefiting from seeing the production around major developments happening on their doorstep, including the Hartlepool Production Village and redevelopment of The Northern Studios.

Catriona McAvoy – Education Partnerships Manager, North East Screen:

The pilot of Connected Campus at the Northern School of Art is shaping up very successfully. We have worked with course leaders and industry to develop a dynamic programme that meets student needs across screen and non screen courses and that bridges the gap to industry, addressing skills gaps and providing real world experiences.

So far we have looked at different areas of pre production and post production with sessions on storytelling, storyboarding, production management and working on location. Upcoming we have more hands on production sessions and a look at post production. All sessions are delivered by an industry professional who is an expert in their field, we have worked with each of them to develop an engaging workshop that goes beyond a talk, allowing them to share their expertise and encouraging students to participate in hands on activities where they can connect with the expert and get direct support and feedback.

The sessions have all been informative, engaging and fun. With attendance levels remaining high and students arriving promptly to every session ready to participate. One of the advantages of the regular monthly sessions has been seeing the students become more comfortable and confident as we have progressed. I am looking forward to delivering the rest of the programme, supporting students to develop transferable skills they can apply to whatever career they choose and graduating with a clearer understanding of opportunities in the film and television industry.

What’s next

The next phase of the programme will take students deeper into the technical side of production, with upcoming modules in:

• Camera, Lighting & Sound
• Working on Location
• Post Production & VFX‑Production & VFX

The programme will culminate in an event giving students a platform to celebrate their achievements and connect with industry professionals before the end of the academic year.

Gateshead based companies are bidding for first place in the Broadcast Factual Entertainment category at this year’s RTS North East and Border Awards, held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead at the end of February.

Signpost Entertainment with Rivers Meet Productions are going head to head with Twentysix03 in this year’s battle for top spot.

Twentysix03 are on a roll with hit daytime shows. At the beginning of 2025 The Big Idea Works launched on BBC1 supported by the North East Production Fund. Starring TV favourite Sara Davies, the 14 episode series was shot in a studio set up in Hoults Yard, Newcastle.

In February 2025 at the RTS regional awards, they won the Broadcast Factual Entertainment award for Joanna Page’s Wildlife, a 15 part series combining Joanna’s lifelong passion for wild live and her infectious personality.

Towards the end of last year, Twentysix03 launched their latest series on BBC1, Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off, once again supported by the North East Production Fund, where celebrities are taught how to turn a room into the perfect festive setting. This time the series was filming on location in Darlington.

Signpost Entertainment with Rivers Meet Productions have now completed four series of Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes – a love letter to the North East and a showcase of calming activities, green spaces and stunning locations across the region and beyond. This and their long running series See Hear, a magazine show for the deaf community highlighting the latest issues, are both nominated in the Broadcast Entertainment category.

TV production is on the up here in the North East. These shows are helping to ensure that crew based here are securing high quality jobs and are keeping them in the region rather than seeking jobs elsewhere. Roles span from producer to runner, camera operator and digital imaging technician to researcher roles. This activity and North East Screen’s support with trainees is helping to drive growth in the industry.

Who will win the battle at this year’s awards? We’ll keep you posted with winners on the night.

Speak to our film office about your next production and all the reasons why you should film in the North East

The North East has a proud history of producing award winning, long running children’s drama. The popular and groundbreaking Byker Grove ran for 18 series. This was closely followed by 5 series of The Story of Tracey Beaker leading to spin off series The Dumping Ground, currently filming its 15th series in Hexham, Northumberland. We’re pleased that many crew over the past 37 years have had an opportunity to work on these programmes and that there are companies now in the region who are continuing the tradition of producing quality children’s programming.

We are delighted that three children’s programmes produced in the region have been shortlisted for awards at the 2026 RTS North East and the Borders Awards taking place in Gateshead at the end of the month.

The Dumping Ground by BBC Studios for CBBC and My Life: Top Dog by Northumberland based Rock Paper Productions for CBBC have both been shortlisted in the Children’s category and Aneeshwar’s Outdoor Adventures by MCC Media for 5 has been shortlisted in the Broadcast Shortform category.

Sunderland based MCC Media have already dominated the children’s genre with their hit Milkshake/ 5 show Cooking with the Gills. Both programmes have been supported by the North East Production Fund, and we are delighted they continue to produce such popular programming.

The North East Production Fund, managed on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership by North East Screen is helping to drive growth and providing better jobs and opportunities for North East people and businesses. As well as this North East Screen have, for the past 3 years worked closely with the BBC and The Dumping Ground to give access to new entrants, opening doors to the industry and facilitating established to crew to progress and step up into higher roles with work on the popular children’s drama.

We wish all three companies the best of luck for the awards and look forward to their future programmes.

If you’d like to find out more about our skills programmes, activity or speak to our Film Office about filming in the region please contact us.

The RTS North East and Border Awards are fast approaching and soon we’ll be finding out who wins the prestigious prize of best drama/comedy. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate talent both on and off screen and a chance to showcase the calibre of TV shows produced in the region.

Last year The Red King, a Quay Street Production for UKTV won Best Drama. The production shot in Northumberland in 2023 with a special screening taking place at Alnwick Playhouse in April 2024.

Smoggie Queens, a Hat Trick Production for BBC Three won Best Comedy. The series set in Middlesbrough by Teessider Phil Dunning was shot in and around the town with a screening event for 1000 people – cast, crew, suppliers and locals – taking place at the Town Hall. We were delighted to welcome back Hat Trick Productions to the region in 2025 to shoot series two!

Both productions were attracted to the region with help of The North East Production Fund, managed on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership by North East Screen. The fund is helping to drive growth in the industry, providing better jobs and opportunities for North East people and businesses.

This year the showcase of locally produced productions continues with four local productions battling out for top spot. I Fought the Law by Hera Productions for ITV, The Feud by Lonesome Pine for 5, Transaction by Big Talk Studios for ITV and Vera by Silver Pictures for ITV. A really tough category and we can’t wait to find out who lifts the trophy!

In the North East region there has been an 131% increase in production spend and a 90% increase in filming days, thanks to productions like these. We may have said a fond farewell to Vera but the other three productions were attracted to the region by The North East Production Fund with 65% of North East Crew employed on the shoots.

Our region is proving we have the talent, highly skilled crews, exceptional locations and local businesses who are capable of winning more work. Bring on the RTS awards for a celebration of this important industry growth!

If you’re thinking of filming in the region we would love to hear from you. Speak to our Film Office about your next production and the many benefits our region has to offer.

As demand for filming in the North East continues to accelerate, We’re ramping up efforts to champion the region’s most cinematic locations to top UK industry professionals. Our ongoing series of Scout About familiarisation trips places iconic landscapes and heritage sites centre stage, demonstrating why the North East is fast becoming a leading TV and film production hub in the UK. 

These curated two‑day scouts are specifically designed for influential Location Managers – many with credits on global hits such as House of Dragon, Bridgerton and Outlander – giving them first‑hand access to the North East’s unmatched range of filming environments. 

Here are just some of our showstopper locations ready for their close-ups: 

Tees Barrage, Stockton-on-Tees
From Oscar winning epic 1917, where George MacKay’s river escape was filmed safely in controlled rapids, to ITV’s gripping drama, After The Flood, which shot its intense rescue sequences at the site, Tees Barrage has become the goto location for productions needing big, cinematic water moments.  

With its unique manmade bowl, fully controlled water flows, and specialist crew on hand, Tees Barrage offers something no other UK location can: safe, repeatable and spectacular water action. 

Teesside International Airport
Teesside International Airport has quickly established itself as a flexible, reliable filming location for both UK and international productions. It has successfully doubled as ‘New York International Airport’ in Amazon Original film, Upgraded, and has the capability to completely transform the terminal with altered signage, digital displays and check-in desks. Despite being a functioning airport, filming can be successfully accommodated without disrupting its primary use.  

Beamish Museum
Beamish Museum continues to shine as one of the North East’s most iconic filming locations. From Downton Abbey to All Creatures Great and Small, choosing to film here because of its immersive 1900s streets, 1940s settings and newly expanded 1950s town. Its ability to transform into different eras, often within the same day, makes it one of the most flexible locations not just in the North East, but in the UK.  

Durham Cathedral
Towering over the city skyline, Durham Cathedral offers instantly recognisable medieval majesty and is a cinematic icon of the North East. It’s Norman architecture, cloistered walkways and atmospheric interiors have captivated global audiences, earning it a starring role in some of the world’s biggest film and TV productions, including Harry Potter, Avengers: Endgame, Elizabeth, Inspector George Gently, and most recently, I Fought the Law. It is one of our most extraordinary screen assets and the team continue to welcome and accommodate productions from across the world. 

The Raby Estate
The Raby Estate remains a magnet for film and TV productions with its breathtaking landscapes and authentic historic settings. From the medieval castle and sweeping parklands to the raw natural drama of High Force and Low Force on the Estate, Raby is one of the North East’s most versatile and production-ready locations. With global period hits such as Victoria and Elizabeth using the Castle’s stunning interiors and exteriors, to 1917, The Gorge and The Witcher using the waterfall’s iconic settings, you can see why this remains a go-to destination for filming. 

Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
The tidal island is one of the North East’s most iconic landscapes, with its rugged beauty and unique tidal causeway. It has emerged as a powerful presence on screen, playing major roles in both blockbuster cinema and longrunning British drama: from its haunting use as the ‘survivors’ home in the BAFTA nominated 28 Years Later to its central place as DCI Stanhope’s ‘home’ in ITV’s Vera, it is one of our region’s most distinctive assets. 

The next series of Scout Abouts are fast approaching, with a number of these iconic locations featuring. Locations Managers looking to attend should register their interest through this Expression of Interest form. 

For any productions considering the North East as their next filming destination, please get in touch with our Film Office who will support your enquiry.

Working as a Production Assistant and Runner with Candle & Bell across both pre-production and production, Jenna supported the delivery of the BBC short film while gaining invaluable experience behind the scenes. “I feel so lucky to have been involved in a project that gave me my first broadcast credit,” she says. “Being inside the structured chaos of a short film was a fever dream – I can’t wait to get involved in my next contract.”

Jenna is a First Class Broadcast Media Production graduate from Teesside University, and has a strong interest in audio storytelling. Alongside her production work, she has experience in radio, podcast production, and sound mixing, and continues to develop her skills across both screen and audio projects. She is also a member of the North East Screen Crew Academy and has benefitted from their support and guidance on working in film and TV.

Looking ahead, Jenna hopes to build a career in scripted television and radio production. With her first BBC credit now secured, Doppelgänger represents an exciting step forward in what is already shaping up to be a promising journey in the industry.

Inspired by Jenna’s journey? Find out more about getting into the industry, and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know about future Bridge to Industry events.

Sound recordist Phillip Quinton is a seasoned professional with 15 years’ experience across film, TV, and radio. On Doppelgänger, Phillip captured and mixed the sound for the North East-made short from Candle & Bell, helping to bring the story to life.

Over the past five years, he has worked on series including River City (BBC Scotland), Doctors (BBC One), and An Clo Mor (BBC Alba). More recently, he has expanded into local radio production, producing Tom & Lauren are going OOT with Candle & Bell for BBC Radio 4. Throughout, he has consistently championed North East crews, strengthening our region’s reputation as a hub for high-quality productions.

Reflecting on Doppelgänger, Phillip says, “It was hugely rewarding to collaborate with a North East team on a BBC production and see local talent shine.” He describes the experience as a pleasure, highlighting the collaboration with his sound assistant Jack Abernathy and the guidance of producers Maria and Zahra. Having long admired Candle & Bell’s work, Phillip adds that it was especially fulfilling to work with the company on a BBC project.

Looking ahead, Phillip is keen to continue developing in radio, take on more North East-based productions, and expand into teaching and acting – sharing his experience while supporting the next generation of regional talent.

Inspired by Phillip’s story? Find out more about getting into the industry, and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know about future Bridge to Industry events.

Grip Elliott Pate is a familiar face on sets across the North East, with experience spanning major TV dramas, feature films, and regional productions. As Key Grip on Doppelgänger, Elliott played a central role in supporting the camera department on the North East-made short from Candle & Bell.

He has worked on high-profile productions including Outlander, The Last Kingdom, and Nativity, alongside long-running North East favourites such as Vera (ITV) and, more recently, I Fought the Law (Hera Pictures for ITV). Alongside these national and international credits, he continues to support filming in the region through his work with Geordie Grips, helping strengthen the infrastructure that keeps productions moving in the region.

Reflecting on Doppelgänger, Elliott says the highlight was “seeing so many talented North East crew members come together to make such a powerful short.” Over the past three years, the North East screen sector has supported the creation of the equivalent of 1,046 full-time jobs, highlighting the scale of opportunity for local crews to contribute to projects like this.

As he continues to build his career, Elliott is working towards his Level 3 NVQ. He’s passionate about helping position the North East as a go-to destination for drama and film, encouraging more productions to base themselves here and collaborate with North East talent.

Director Zak Harney, from South Shields, is part of a new generation of North East filmmakers putting forward working‑class stories on screen and showing them in a new light.

Zak is the Director behind the BBC Three pilot, Doppelgänger, which brings his unique ethos to the screen: character‑led storytelling, visual playfulness and a commitment to showing the heart of the North East – that warmth, humour and emotional honesty that breathes through all of us.

Doppelgänger was developed through the BBC Writers’ Long Story Short, an initiative that pairs emerging screenwriting voices with local independent production companies to create original short films for BBC Three and iPlayer. Produced by Candle & Bell and filmed entirely in the North East, with the full support of North East Screen, the project marks Zak’s first production for the BBC and a significant milestone in his career.

Zak was drawn to Alison Carr’s script with its contemporary setting and how it embraced colour, wit and larger‑than‑life characters that feel recognisable and authentic to the North East, but can resonate to everyone.

By pushing the boundaries on Doppelgänger with ambitious locations (including the Tyne & Wear metro), bold performances and strong visuals, Zak has delivered a stand-out film showcasing ambitious North East talent both in front and behind the camera.

As his profile continues to grow, Zak is establishing himself as a director redefining how North East stories look and feel on screen.

Inspired by Zak’s journey? Get in touch if you’re an emerging North East director. Email development@northeastscreen.org