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Tees Valley leaders have signed up to an initiative to boost the TV and film industry by making it even easier to shoot projects in the region.

The Filming Friendly Charter has been backed by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and the Combined Authority Cabinet, made up of the five Local Authority leaders.

This demonstrates their commitment to make the region filming friendly, recognising the positive economic and cultural benefits filming has here, and to maximise these benefits. In practice, being a filming friendly region includes ensuring a single point of contact for production companies, building a network within and across our Local Authorities of those impacted by filming, facilitating use of councils’ properties and working to amplify publicity.

The Filming Friendly Charter is part of the £11.4million North East Screen Industries Partnership, backed by £4.5million of investment from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which is being delivered by North East Screen.

The partnership was established to capitalise on the BBC’s huge commitment to invest £25million in the region to help fund TV production and talent development across the region’s creative sectors.

A total of 14 projects have recently been shot in the Tees Valley, including Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes, Vera series 12, a James Arthur documentary titled My Home Town, Northern Justice and more.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We’ve invested millions to support the wealth of talent on our doorstep in the TV and film industry, but to really make the most of the opportunities the sector presents, we need a joined-up approach across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“This agreement will put in place building blocks so we become an even more attractive area to film in, working together to mark us out as an efficient, welcoming and dedicated partner to large-scale production companies, the BBC and independent outfits.

“This, in turn, will get more projects off the ground here, benefitting not just our creatives, but everyone involved in TV and film – from our writers and directors to our camera operators, electricians, engineers and make-up artists.”

Cllr Shane Moore, Combined Authority Cabinet Lead for Culture and Tourism and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The Tees Valley is a diverse area with locations to suit any production, and we have the local expertise in organisations such as Hartlepool’s Northern Studios to back up our fantastic landscapes.

“With this charter, we can become more than the sum of our parts and work with North East Screen to deliver the positive change for the sector and its workers that we all want to see.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.

“We are delighted that the Tees Valley has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the region.”

This new BBC series will see Robson, along with family and some famous friends, taking the roads less travelled and appreciating a slower pace of life

Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes is the perfect way to chase away the winter blues. Set in the North-East, against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most stunning scenery, this new BBC series will see Robson, along with family and some famous friends, taking the roads less travelled and appreciating a slower pace of life. It will be coming to screens on BBC Two and iPlayer in January.

The series will host an impressive roster of on-screen talent and Robson’s friends, including: Jill Scott (European Champion former England footballer & BBC Sounds host Jill Scott’s Coffee Club), Former Dragon and Businesswoman Sara Davies, journalist and presenter Steph McGovern, hit podcaster and talk show co-host Rosie Ramsey (The Chris and Rosie Ramsey Show), Les Ferdinand (Former footballer) and Lee Ridley (AKA Lost Voice Guy) plus many more.

Taking viewers into the heart of the North-East, the programme will showcase the region’s natural beauty and the important role it plays in relieving stress and supporting our mental health. Across the series we will see Robson journey on an old steam train, spend a night in a hammock, sketch with local artists, and cycle along the coast and castle route, which stretches from Newcastle to Edinburgh. Throughout the series, Robson and his friends explore the importance of slowing down, leaving the noise of our cities, creating memories, and relaxing.

Robson Green, Director at North-East based Rivers Meet Productions, says: “I’m thrilled to be starring in and co-producing this fantastic new series for BBC Two. The North-East holds a special place in my heart and I’m excited to showcase the best it has to offer. We are strongly committed to supporting the incredible local talent in this beautiful region, and creating this programme gave us the opportunity to do both.”

BBC Commissioning Editor, Helen Munson, says: “I’m delighted to be working with Robson and the team on this joyful new show which showcases brilliant talent, both off screen and on screen, against the backdrop of the beautiful North East coastline and countryside. Robson is a fantastic ambassador for the North-East and is a firm-favourite with our audiences.”

Gareth Deighan Creative Director at Signpost says: “It’s fantastic to bring this series with Robson Green to viewers, it does a great job in highlighting the best of the North-east region.”

The BBC is making a significant investment to grow and nurture talent and content-making across the UK. This new commission will play a key role in the BBC’s wider regional focus, and supports its commitment to spend £25m in the North-East over the next five years.

Watch Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Monday, 23 January 2023 at 6.30pm.

An organisation set up to grow the North East’s TV and film industries is moving to a new head office as it looks to unearth ‘the next Vera’.

North East Screen, a £37 million project supported by combined and local authorities from across the region, is relocating to The Beam at Riverside Sunderland.

The move will put the organisation at the heart of the region as it looks to create ‘vibrant industry sector communities’ and ‘develop the skills required to turn it into a centre of excellence for the screen industries.’

This includes ensuring new entrants to the industry have the skills to access work opportunities, making it easier for production companies to film in the region and raising the region’s global profile.

Supported by 12 local authorities and the BBC, North East Screen is part of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) which was formed to level up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market and delivering an annual economic impact to the regional economy of £88m. 

Since its inception in 2002, North East Screen – formerly known as North East Film & Media – has already helped support hit North East TV shows Vera and The Dumping Ground, providing local crews, support and production, and it is confident the move will mark the beginning of an exciting new era for the organisation.

Gayle Woodruffe, operations director at North East Screen, said: “We want to attract people from across the globe to come and film here and being based out of Sunderland will allow us to position ourselves centrally to promote the entire region.

“The North East has so many hidden gems. We have coast, countryside, cities and castles, however the TV and film industry has traditionally been somewhat closed off to areas such as ours. This is why working in partnership with all of the local and combined authorities really has its strengths.

“By pooling our resources together and working in collaboration, as opposed to being in competition with one another, there’s no reason why we can’t maximise the region’s assets and everything it has to offer.”

As well as positioning the region as a go-to place to film, North East Screen will also seek to develop the skills that the sector needs to not only survive but thrive through initiatives such as its Crew Academy, Production Service, and the North East Comedy Hot House. 

“We’re also trying to break down the stigmas of what careers in TV and film entail,” she added. “There are so many career opportunities that people just don’t realise exist, from costume design to makeup, electricians and accountants.

“We know we have the locations, as well as the talent and resources required to film and produce real quality shows here, so there’s no reason why we can’t pool our resources together and really grow the industry and significantly grow its economic impact.”

The move to The Beam will see North East Screen join the likes of Ocado, RSA and Sunderland City Council in investing in Riverside Sunderland, which has benefited from over £1billion in investment from the private and public sectors.

“It’s so up and coming around there,” Gayle added. “It’s a phenomenal place to be. Sunderland is culturally at the heart of what’s going on. Culture House, the Fire Station, the Empire Theatre, there’s so much talent in this area and we can’t wait to be a part of it.”

North East Screen’s move to the city was supported by the business investment team at Sunderland City Council.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The TV and film industries already contribute over £40 million to the economy each year and there’s no reason why, given the locations, resources and talents we have, we can’t significantly grow that figure.

“The North East is a beautiful, diverse region with landscapes that make it picture-perfect for the screen industries, and Sunderland is right at the heart of that, so we’re delighted to have the team joining us at Riverside Sunderland.”

To find out more about Sunderland as a place to do business, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/business-and-investment

The North East is on track to become a filming-friendly region as local authorities pledge to support the industry.

Newcastle City Council became the latest regional authority to sign the pledge being coordinated by North East Screen – the screen agency for the North East – when Chief Executive Pam Smith signed the Filming Friendly Charter.

Signing the Filming Friendly Charter is a show of commitment to working in partnership with North East Screen to make the North East a Filming Friendly Region. It recognises the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity has on a locality, including bringing in jobs and investment to the region.

The aim is to maximise benefits and make it a positive experience for everyone involved in filming in the region.

By signing the charter, Newcastle City Council pledges to ensure it has a single point of contact for a production company, building a network within the local authority of all those departments impacted by filming, facilitating use of council property, and working with North East Screen on publicity.

Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, said: “I’m really excited to support North East Screen to make the North East a filming friendly region.

“By working more closely with filmmakers and producers at every level we can do more to help show everything that we know and love about the region to a much wider audience, and we can all benefit from the cultural and economic benefits that come from hosting filming activity.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.

“We are delighted that Newcastle City Council has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the city.”

MOTIF, based in Gateshead, are set to receive support from Channel 4’s 2022 Emerging Indie Fund to help boost growth.

Ten independent production companies have been chosen from across the UK and have secured awards from the Channel 4 fund and as a result will receive a range of support and guidance to help supercharge their broadcast slate.

Motif, established in 2020 by James Craggs and Tautyvdas Baranauskas, are based in Gateshead and now employ 5 staff to produce scripted and non-scripted programmes from the region, they are focused on growth and winning commissions from a range of broadcasters and streamers.

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Business Development at North East Screen said:

“This is a huge achievement and we are delighted for Motif as they are a perfect example of an exciting new local production company understanding what TV commissioners want, being good at pitching and cleverly identifying the next step for their business.

North East Screen and the North East Comedy Hot House have worked with James and Tautyvdas and supported Motif on their 3 year journey from producing Channel 4 Sparks (a platform for short videos) and BBC Laugh Lessons (original short comedy sketches). We can’t wait to see how the Emerging Indie Fund will make a difference to this developing and innovative North East company.”

James Craggs, Managing Director at Motif said:

“We established the business through lockdown and have worked hard to understand the commissioning mindset of broadcasters.  We are constantly looking at the small steps we can take to move forward and are open minded and adaptable. We’ve learned to listen and understand what commissioners want and apply it to our ideas.

The Emerging Indie Fund felt like the next logical step and will provide us with practical support and a chance to grow our regional based company becoming more established in the industry and the North East. We won the fund for Comedy and are accepting submissions from talent in the scripted comedy genre. If local comedy writers and performers are interested they can send submissions to hello@motifpictures.co.uk.”

Companies in the Emerging Indie Fund benefit from a range of support which includes: financial assistance for slate development, regular access to a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, development workshops and expert advice from a variety of departments within Channel 4.

Lisa Laws continued: “We are wanting to support more companies like Motif to access opportunities and access funding from a range of sources. If you’re a new start up or creative enterprise interested in film and TV please get in touch with North East Screen. hello@northeastscreen.org

North Tyneside Council is rolling out the red carpet in a bid to attract more filmmakers and TV production companies to the borough.  

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE and Chief Executive Paul Hanson have signed a Filming Friendly Charter in partnership with North East Screen, an agency working to develop and champion the North East as a film-friendly region.

The charter recognises the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity has on North Tyneside and aims to maximise those benefits and bring more visitors to the area.

This year alone, North Tyneside has hosted the BBC’s Northern Justice, Ambulance and Angels of then North, as well as ITV’s Vera, a Royal Mail commercial and the feature film, Blue Jean.

The charter represents a commitment by the council to continue to support crews while on location in the borough, providing advice on local services and access to council-owned sites, and to collaborate on publicity with North East Screen.

The Elected Mayor said: “North Tyneside has often caught the eye of location scouts, who have approached us for access to our stunning heritage sites, award-winning coastline, and green spaces.

“The screen industry has brought millions into our local economy, created jobs, and raised our profile nationally and internationally, and our colleagues already do a great job by helping to smooth the process and supporting them to get what they need when they visit North Tyneside.

“We welcome every opportunity to showcase North Tyneside, on the small screen or the big screen, and we are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to the Filming Friendly Charter.”

North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) was formed by Combined and Local Authorities from across the region to level up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market and delivering an annual economic impact to the regional economy of £88m. 

Following the publication of the BBC Across the UK strategy the partnership signed an MOU with the BBC in September 2021, with the BBC making a commitment to spend a minimum of £25m on production and skills development in the North East over the next five years.

NESIP will jointly invest £11.4m over the same five-year period to deliver a new Screen Industries Development Programme maximising opportunities for significant growth within the screen industries sector and developing a thriving and sustainable ecosystem

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.

“We are delighted that North Tyneside Council has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the borough.”

You now have until the 18th of December to apply for the Skills Manager position here at North East Screen.

Have you worked in film and TV production?

Are you keen to help the next generation find their way into film and TV?

North East Screen are looking for someone who understands what it takes to get into the industry and/or take their next step up the career ladder.

If you want to help us make the North East the place where screen industry talent can live, create and work – then we want to hear from you!

The deadline for applications is midnight on the 18th of December, with interviews taking place in January 2023.

Follow this link to learn more and apply.

A North East council has committed to making County Durham filming friendly.

Durham County Council has signed a filming friendly charter with North East Screen in order to help the TV and film industry grow across the region.  

The charter, which is being signed by all authorities in the region, aims to maximise the economic and cultural benefits that filming can have on an area and make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

To be filming friendly, the council will ensure there is a single point of contact for production companies; build a network within the authority of all departments impacted by filming; facilitate the use of council property for filming; and work with North East Screen to publicise and promote any filming taking place.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to sign the filming friendly charter. This is the next step in our commitment to helping the TV and film industry in the region grow and we look forward to supporting the creation of jobs and raising the profile of County Durham.

“With a rich heritage, stunning scenery and fantastic people, we have so much to offer film and television productions. This will help to boost our economy with the creation of jobs, help to develop skills amongst our residents and firmly put the county on the map as a filming location and visitor destination.”

The agreement follows an announcement earlier this year that councils would be working in partnership with the BBC and North East Screen to invest in the industry and develop a vibrant and inclusive cultural offer as part of a North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP).

The partnership will support the growth of creative industries in the region and county, as well as enabling significant skills development and future employment.  

It will also see the BBC invest at least £25 million in programming in the North East over a five year period, with local and combined authorities matching this between them by putting £11.4m towards the development of screen industries across the region. 

There have been 14 productions filming across County Durham recently, ranging from BBC1 documentary series Ambulance to Ken Loach’s new feature film The Old Oak and TV series Vera. It is hoped the charter will significantly increase the numbers of productions set in the county and region.

Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, said: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcoming production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.

“We are delighted that Durham County Council has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the county.”

THE CITY of light will add cameras and action, as Sunderland City Council pledges commitment to becoming a filming-friendly location.

Council chief executive, Patrick Melia, signed a Filming Friendly Charter on behalf of the local authority with North East Screen – which is developing and championing North East England as a UK leading film and TV production hub, where industry talent can live, create and work – committing to a partnership to create a filming-friendly region.

In signing the pledge, the council has committed to measures to make Sunderland a more attractive destination for film and media, including simplified ways of working with crews and production teams, improved cooperation with filming requests, including enabling the use of council property, and working with North East Screen and production companies on press releases and publicity, maximising the benefit to the locality and the region.

Mr Melia said: “Sunderland is committed to working with North East Screen to make the region more attractive and “Filming Friendly”, and, in doing so, we recognise the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity can have on the city and wider region.  Our commitment ensures that Sunderland, and indeed film and media businesses working in the city, enjoy the most positive experience possible.”

The signing builds on the council’s support for the region’s TV and film production industry as part of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), formed by Combined and Local Authorities from across the region, to level-up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market and delivering a regional economic impact of £88m per annum. 

Last year, the BBC pledged to increase production and support the creative sector, with a commitment to invest almost £25m in the region over the next five years, funding TV production and talent development. North East authorities agreed to provide a combined additional £11.4m over the same term.  The BBC has referred to the partnership as its biggest investment in the North East for decades.

It is hoped the new pledge will strengthen Sunderland’s position as a filming location. Already, the city has hosted the filming of the following BBC programmes, Northern Justice, Ambulance, Angels of the North Series 4, Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and Charlotte Crosby’s Observation Documentary – as well as Cooking with the Gills, shown on Channel 5’s Milkshake.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said: “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this.

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.  We are delighted that Sunderland has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the city.”

Businesses that could serve the industry or locations that could be used in filming should get in touch with North East Screen at filming@northeastscreen.org.

Northumberland signs Film Friendly Charter in partnership with North East Screen to reaffirm the county’s commitment as a film friendly destination.

The charter shows Northumberland’s commitment to working in partnership with North East Screen to make the North East a filming friendly region. This recognises the positive economic and cultural benefits hosting filming activity has on Northumberland, aiming to maximise benefits and make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

Northumberland has seen great success from filming locations, from Alnwick Castle’s role as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, to Sycamore Gap’s reputation as ‘The Robin Hood Tree’ following its cameo in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. More recently, Vera regularly creates a buzz when filming takes place in Northumberland’s sweeping landscapes, Harrison Ford caused a stir when he was spotted at Bamburgh Castle during filming for Indiana Jones, and Bamburgh Beach offered a breathtaking backdrop for the Lloyd’s bank advert as the iconic black horse galloped along the beach.   

Andrew Fox, chair of Visit Northumberland, said, “Filming opportunities are so important for Northumberland due to the everlasting impact that filming locations have on tourism and encouraging visitors to explore new destinations after seeing them on the screen. In 2021 alone, economic investment to the county from productions filmed in Northumberland amounted to almost £10 million (an average of £27,200 per day) on crew and technical staff, cast and extras, hotels, catering and many other services.

“Northumberland couldn’t be more suited to the screen, with outstanding scenery to offer an incredible backdrop for any film or series and historical buildings that can be adapted for all genres. With its track record of fantasy fiction, historical and modern epics and TV series, there are endless filming opportunities in a county as diverse as Northumberland.”

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “This county is very much open for business and this charter cements our commitment as a film friendly destination.

“We’ve a long history of welcoming productions of all sizes, from small independent film-makers through to regional and national television and huge blockbuster movies. Northumberland is a unique place  – full of history, castles, wide open spaces, golden beaches, hills and mountains and above all very friendly people – what a backdrop for any work of art!

“We sincerely hope this charter will raise the profile of our beautiful county to an even wider audience.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said, “We are working closely with the North East Screen Industries Partnership and the BBC to encourage and promote filming across the North East. We want all parts of our region to benefit. It is important that each local authority area is committed to welcome production crews and make the process of filming as smooth as can be. North East Screen will support them to do this. 

“The economic and tourism benefits of a production filming in our area and the jobs it can create for local crew, as well as local businesses across the supply chain, is something we don’t want any part of the North East to miss out on.

“We are delighted that Northumberland has signed up to the charter and look forward to working with them to encourage more filming in the county.”

Next month, Visit Northumberland is set to champion Northumberland alongside North East Screen and other regional destinations at Focus Film, an annual showcase of filming destinations to the film and production industry.