BBC Comedy Festival to take place in Newcastle

Posted on 12 April 202215 July 2022 by North East Screen

The inaugural BBC Comedy Festival will take place in Newcastle upon Tyne, BBC’s first City of Comedy. Plus North East Regional Partnership Scheme announced.

Newcastle upon Tyne, the first BBC City of Comedy, will host the BBC’s first Comedy Festival for indie producers, anyone with a new career in TV and comedy, and people looking to break into or advance their career in the industry.

A series of events will take place across three days from Wednesday 11th – Friday 13th May 2022 to explore, reflect on and celebrate comedy in the UK.

The Festival will take place across a number of venues in Newcastle including Northern Stage, Live Theatre, The Stand and The Everyman.

Speakers include Charlie Brooker, Frankie Boyle, Greg Davies, Megan Ganz, Stephen Merchant, Romesh Ranganathan, the cast of Ghosts, Tom Marshall and many more including North East Screen’s very own North East Comedy Hot House team!

Some of the biggest comedy names are confirmed to attend including Charlie Brooker, Greg Davies, Jamie Demetriou, Megan Ganz, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Romesh Ranganathan, Stephen Merchant, Tim Renkow, Kat Sadler, Adjani Salmon, and Holly Walsh – plus the casts of BBC hits – Ghosts and The Outlaws.

The festival will be made up of talent-led talks, panels, screenings, a short film night, live comedy, and the premier of The Outlaws series 2, the biggest new BBC Comedy to launch last year.

The BBC Comedy Commissioning team, BBC Writersroom and BBC Young Reporters will also be in attendance at this brand-new event, which will bring the UK comedy production community together, alongside industry heavyweights including Ash Atalla (The Office), Gill Isles (Car Share), Tom Marshall (Ted Lasso), Christine Gernon (Gavin and Stacy, New Girl), plus representatives from American broadcasters.

BBC Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie, will kick off the festival alongside Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, on Wednesday 11th May. Jon will be setting out his vision for BBC Comedy and highlighting commissioning opportunities to the comedy production community.

Thursday 12th May will be an industry focused day consisting of a range of panels and talks, and on Friday 13th May there will be sessions for anyone with a new career in TV and comedy, and people looking to break into or advance their career in the industry.

Petrie says: “We are excited to be coming to Newcastle, the BBC’s first City of Comedy, to celebrate comedy in all its forms and to outline BBC Comedy’s vision for the genre in 2022 and beyond. WE are committed to nurturing, developing and collaborating with comedy enthusiasts across the UK, to ensure comedy remains a staple part of our British culture.”

A selection of the festival’s panels and events will be opened up for the public to attend, and the free tickets will be made available in due course once the schedule has been announced.

All sessions are free – but do get down early to secure your seats in the sessions on the day.

BBC Comedy is also announcing today that they will be piloting a brand-new Regional Partnership Scheme, co-funded with North East Screen, pairing a North East based emerging indie with a leading BBC Comedy supplier.

The aim of the scheme is to promote regional partnerships, aid portrayal and support the growth of indigenous scripted comedy supplies in an underserved and underrepresented region.

The partnership will see the companies co-develop a slate of original ideas over an initial 6-month period, to help strengthen and enhance the local talent and project development on the ground, while creating new connections and out of London opportunities.

NFM’s Chief Executive, Alison Gwynn, said:

“The BBC Comedy Festival is another great example of the BBC’s commitment to the region and will provide a welcomed boost to the North East’s comedy sector. We know that many people will benefit from the panels, talks and sessions lead by top industry professionals and will inspire and generate the future of comedy in the region.
“The Regional Partnership Scheme is part of a longer term strategy to bring knowledge, skills and networks to the talent and companies that already exist here in the North East. We are very excited to be partnering with BBC Comedy on this venture, and are delighted that the North East comedy community is going to get this level of opportunity and support.”

Further information about the established indie along with how North East companies can apply for the scheme will be announced in due course.

The North East Regional Partnership Scheme is part of the BBC’s commitment to making its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades as part of a new partnership with the region.

The BBC last year announced it will spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

North East LEP supported comedy is ready to make you laugh

Posted on 22 June 202110 October 2022 by North East Screen

Laugh Lessons, a BBC Three commission, launched Thursday 17th June featuring five comedy sketches from North East talent who have been supported through a unique project between Northern Film + Media (NFM)’s North East Comedy Hot House and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP).

Laugh Lessons, a BBC Three commission, launched Thursday 17^th June featuring five comedy sketches from North East talent who have been supported through a unique project between Northern Film + Media, North East Comedy Hot House and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP).

North East Comedy Hot House (NECHH) were awarded one of four national commissions from the BBC earlier this year to support producers to deliver Laugh Lessons. Laugh Lessons is a BBC Three and BBC Comedy Association collaboration which has seen four production companies across the UK produce up to five three-minute comedy sketches each, with a particular focus on providing new opportunities to diverse and underrepresented comedy voices, with an emphasis on discovering new onscreen and behind the camera talent.

The commissioned sketches involve new behind the camera talent, James Craggs and Emma Roxburgh. This is the second win for James’ company, Motif, having already won an RTS North East and Borders Comedy Award in 2020. Emma is developing into one of the region’s top development producer/directors and was part of the BFI’s Network Weekender earlier this year.

Laugh Lessons comes hot on the heels of NECHH winning the prestigious international Makers and Shakers award for Initiative to Grow Local Industry.

Emma Lawson, Co-founder of NECHH and leading industry exec, said,

“Collaboration is never easy, but we can certainly celebrate what we’ve achieved by championing James Craggs and Motif, and Emma Roxburgh to develop the slates for Laugh Lessons.

‘Being able to empower local companies, bringing people together and encouraging collaboration has seen this local talent flourish, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next in line for these guys.”

Speaking of being awarded the commission, James Craggs, Managing Director of MOTIF said,

“The BBC provides a hallmark of quality for any production company it is associated with, so to be able to point towards a commission from them within our first year of existence is something we never dreamed of. It’s propelled us forward as a company far faster than we expected and given us the confidence and the chance to pitch for bigger things, something we didn’t think was possible just yet.”

The North East LEP provided funding support through the Cluster Development Fund for NECCH to create a broadcast scripted comedy cluster to boost the local industry and provide more opportunities to start-up production companies. NECHH is an industry facing co-production and development initiative that offers a safe space for fledgling companies, writers, performers, directors and producers. By working directly with broadcasters and larger Indies in this new co-commissioning model, NECHH is able to provide a new talent pipeline via a safe pair of hands by taking overall responsibility for practical delivery and a level of editorial quality. Since launching in September 2019, NECHH has secured over £100,000 worth of entry level broadcast commissions, collaborated with seven start-up production companies, provided employment opportunities to over 160 regional cast and crew, and kept 96% of the total spend in the North East.

Colin Bell, Business Growth Director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said,

“The Cluster Development Fund was launched during the pandemic to provide assistance to clusters in our region impacted by COVID-19; providing the necessary support for sectors to recover. The success of North East Comedy Hot House is a great example of the fund in action.

“Thanks to the investment from the North East LEP, Gateshead-based MOTIF was able to pitch for and win a significant BBC commission, helping raise the profile of the region’s film and television sector.

“The Cluster Development Fund is supporting TV, film and production companies in the region to think big and create a sustainable industry in the North East that can create jobs and opportunities for those working in the creative sectors. By investing in the talent that exists in our region, we can retain and benefit from those valuable skills.”

Speaking of the support she received, Emma Roxburgh said,

“Since my involvement with NECHH I’ve felt incredibly well supported and have been given space to play, learn and grow. Producing two of the Laugh Lessons and directing one, enabled me to really use my previous script development skills.

“It has been great working with regional writer/performer talent on their first broadcast credit alongside outstanding regional crew, and I can’t wait to see more North East talent coming through and smashing it.”

Alison Gwynn, CEO of NFM said,

“It’s been great to witness the impact of the project, with both Motif and Emma Roxburgh now developing bigger broadcast projects.

“This is only just the start. There is so much more in the pipeline, and we wouldn’t have been able to have achieved this without the support from the North East LEP.”

NECHH is in a really strong position heading into the later stages of 2021, with a strong network of North East businesses and agencies all focused on broadcast comedy development. There is also an exciting new partnership with an award-winning production company to uncover more North East talent and products ready to break into national and global markets.

To view each of the five Laugh Lessons, click the links below.

How We Ruined The Internet

Coke, Weed and Bananas: A Guide To Drugs Today

First World Problems Of A Influencer

Becoming a Karen

5 Signs You’re Becoming A P.R*C.K

NE Comedy Hot House wins ‘Initiative to Grow Local Industry’ at Makers & Shakers awards

Posted on 15 December 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

We’re thrilled to announce that our North East Comedy Hot House project has taken home the award for Initiative to Grow Local Industry at the 2020 makers and shakers awards.

An initiative by The Location Guide, makers magazine and FOCUS, the makers & shakers awards celebrate excellence in global production. The awards aim to recognise and honour ground-breaking ideas and initiatives from players across the spectrum of the global creative screen industries.

The makers & shakers award is a great marker of success for the North East Comedy Hot House, for whom growing local industry is of the utmost importance. We are passionate about championing undiscovered comedy talent, supporting talent, building creative businesses, and connecting people, places, and projects to the best opportunities for their growth. Our project hopes to foster an explosion of Northern comedy voices onto international platforms, and this award proves that we are doing just that.

Executive Producer and co-founder of the NECHH, Emma Lawson, added: ‘It’s been such a privilege to work on a project that both invigorates and connects people. The North East has such a strong comedy community and important production industry, and I’m so thrilled that the work NECHH is doing showcases that to a national audience. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved for winning an award that allows us to shout about our region and to mark the fun we’ve had so far. Thank you to Alison Gwynn, Northern Film + Media and everyone who has supported us this year!’.

Project Manager of the NECHH, Lisa Laws, said: ‘This award celebrates what happens when you’re inclusive. We’ve loved bringing together new voices, passionate local indies, and talented cast & crew to produce great, funny content for national broadcasters, create good vibes and put our region’s talent on the map. We can’t wait for the next phase of NECHH development’.

Chief Executive Officer of Northern Film + Media, Alison Gwynn, said: ‘It is a huge honour to be recognised by the makers & shakers awards, especially since the project is still in its infancy and we beat off major national and international competition. We are incredibly excited about the future of our North East Comedy Hot House and look forward to watching it make an impact on both local industry and international platforms’.

We’ve partnered with the North East LEP. Introducing SIZZLE

Posted on 16 November 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

We are so excited to announce our breakthrough partnership with the North East LEP

Our North East Comedy Hot House project has been granted funds to develop the region’s comedy sector through our newly-created SIZZLE programme, a six month support programme working with SMEs, emerging comedy development producers and fresh comedy talent.

What’s on offer?

The SIZZLE programme has three phases of support including

Business development
Professional development
Pitch deck support

Phase 1

PEER TO PEER SUPPORT for NE SMEs led by the NE LEP.

Connecting business leaders & SMEs working in comedy production across digital platforms, to each other and to business and industry experts to support business growth.

Who is Phase 1 for?

We’re looking for ambitious individuals keen to grow their business and play their part in driving forward the region’s production of quality comedy content across digital platforms. A passion for comedy is super important!

Participants should be business owners or have a business leadership role in a company that employs staff or freelancers. They should currently work in the broadcast, digital, and/or comedy sector, or if not, must prove a keen interest in branching into these sectors. They must also be based in the North East LEP area.

North East Comedy Hot House Webinar: Comedy Characters with Daisy May Cooper

Posted on 16 July 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

Thursday 30 July, 8pm – 9pm

Join us as we chat to Daisy May Cooper, co-creator and star of BBC Three’s This Country, about finding the funny in everyday life, creating comedy characters and keeping the laughs flowing in lockdown.

We’ll also be asking her for some of the juicy top tips she’s gleaned through her TV journey and what she’s squeezed out of producers and commissioners through her Instagram Live lockdown sessions.

Daisy May Cooper is the winner of the 2018 BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for playing Kerry Mucklowe in the BBC Three series This Country, which she co-created and co-wrote with her brother, Charlie Cooper. Her film appearances include The Personal History of David Copperfield and Sky Comedy Shorts: Susan Wokoma’s Love the Sinner.

And, of course, she is the ex-girlfriend of The Sea Captain.

Register through Eventbrite here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom event 24 hours beforehand.

For more information about this event, contact charlotte@northernmedia.org

This event is supported by Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley ERDF project. Places are free but limited. You must have a Tees Valley base, be over 18yrs and be eligible to access SME support.

Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley Screen project is funded by the ERDF through Creative Industries Business Support and Development Programme 2014-20, which is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. Additional funding support for this project is from Tees Valley Combined Authority and Arts Council England.

North East Comedy Hot House Webinar: Producing Comedy with Spencer Millman

Posted on 7 July 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

Tuesday 14th July, 11am-12pm

Spencer Millman is a hugely experienced television and film producer, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the comedy industry and produced multi-award-winning TV shows.

Prior to setting up his company he produced The Inbetweeners 2, which was the highest-grossing film of 2014 in the UK. He has also produced 6 series of the multi-BAFTA and British Comedy Award-winning Harry Hill’s TV Burp (“the freshest and most original show on mainstream television”, The Guardian), all 3 series of the Broadcast award-winning and BAFTA, British Comedy Award, and Royal Television Society Award-nominated Bo Selecta, the RTS Award-winning series The Mighty Boosh, Man to Man with Dean Learner, Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show, Daisy Does America for TBS and Greg Davies’ Man Down.

This is a relaxed and interactive Zoom session. We invite you to have your camera on, if you’re comfortable, or feel free to just watch if you prefer! Please keep your mic muted until asking questions. Register through Eventbrite here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom event 24 hours beforehand.

For more information about this event, contact charlotte@northernmedia.org

This event is supported by Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley ERDF project. Places are free but limited. You must have a Tees Valley base, be over 18yrs and be eligible to access SME support.

North East Comedy Hot House Webinar: Directing comedy with Tom Marshall

Posted on 21 May 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

Thursday 28th May, 5pm-6pm

Want to direct comedy? Ever wondered what it’s like to direct Netflix comedy?

Join us as we chat to Tom Marshall, comedy director, to find out how he got from self-funded short films in Middlesbrough to directing for Netflix in LA. Hear his top tips for capturing comedy on screen.

Our North East Comedy Hot House team will be teasing out some insights into what opportunities made a difference at key points in his career and how directing shorts, TV series, sketch shows at all budget levels is actually like. Hear his top tips for capturing the comedy at every budget level.

Tom Marshall has shot self-funded shorts, directed Young Offenders, Famalam, Netflix series Space Force with Steve Carell, as well as an Apple original.

This webinar will be shown via Zoom. Register through Eventbrite here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom event 24 hours beforehand.

For more information about this event, contact charlotte@northernmedia.org

This event is supported by Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley ERDF project. Places are free but limited. You must have a Tees Valley base, be over 18yrs and be eligible to access SME support.

North East Comedy Hot House Webinar: Comedy is Serious Business

Posted on 11 June 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

Thursday 18th June, 2pm-3pm

Want to understand the business in showbusiness?

Our North East Comedy Hot House team will be demystifying setting up and running an indie specialising in comedy, in conversation with Tim Sealey, Head of Production and co-founder of Roughcut. We’ll be chatting the highs and lows of surviving and thriving in tricky times.

Tim has 20 years of experience in film and television. He founded Roughcut in 2007 with Ash Atalla, where he has worked closely on the company’s comedy, drama and entertainment development and production.

This webinar will be shown via Zoom. Register through Eventbrite here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom event 24 hours beforehand.

For more information about this event, contact charlotte@northernmedia.org

This event is supported by Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley ERDF project. Places are free but limited. You must have a Tees Valley base, be over 18yrs and be eligible to access SME support.

NE Comedy Hot House Webinar: Writing comedy, first steps with Emily Fairweather

Posted on 2 June 202010 October 2022 by North East Screen

Tuesday 9th June, 11am-12pm

Want to write comedy for TV? Want to know how to take those first steps to getting an agent and your first paid gig?

Our North East Comedy Hot House team chat to Emily Fairweather, who has recently had her first broadcast appointment with The Mallorca Files, had a script optioned by Shiny Button Productions and secured a new leading writers agent in Casarotto Ramsay & Associates. Emily is currently writing for UKTV and ITV .

This is your chance to hear how Emily did it, how she built her networks and developed her craft, and to gain some insights into her day-to-day working life.

This webinar will be shown via Zoom. Register through Eventbrite here. You will receive an emailed link to the Zoom event 24 hours beforehand.

For more information about this event, contact charlotte@northernmedia.org

This event is supported by Northern Film + Media’s Tees Valley ERDF project. Places are free but limited. You must have a Tees Valley base, be over 18yrs and be eligible to access SME support.