This month, North East Screen’s Film Office team welcomed Location Managers from across the UK on a two-day Scout About: Towns & Transport familiarisation trip, giving industry professionals first-hand experience of the North East’s world-class filming locations and the variety of environments the region offers for productions of all genres.
The trip began in Darlington before moving to Tees Valley Airport, where the group explored runways, control towers and terminal spaces ready to double for international settings on screen. They then visited Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge, a dramatic industrial landmark, and Teesworks, one of the UK’s largest industrial sites, offering vast cinematic backdrops. Day one concluded aboard HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool, alongside a waterfront rich with maritime heritage.
Day two focused on the North East’s urban and creative environments. Location Managers explored the sharp, contemporary developments of Keel Square, Maker & Faber, City Hall and Keel Crossing in Sunderland, then moved to Sheepfolds, a regenerated industrial quarter, followed by Gateshead Quays, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, and Ouseburn. In Newcastle, the itinerary included Grainger Market, Central Arcade, The Lit & Phil, Blackfriars, Chinatown, and The Common Room, finishing at the Helix and St James’ Park. The variety of historical streets, cultural landmarks and modern infrastructure highlighted the North East’s filming-friendly range, offering locations suitable for productions of every scale and style.
Over the past three years, the North East has seen £55 million in production spend, supported over 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs and nearly 120,000 production days, contributing to a 90% increase in production activity across the region. To build on this momentum, Fam Trips help keep the region top of mind for production crews, connecting decision-makers with local locations, infrastructure, and businesses – the one front door to our screen industry.
“From getting such a positive, film-friendly response from locations and meeting the Film Office team, I would be very comfortable starting a project in the North East.”
North East Screen is gearing up for the next Fam Trip, this time venturing into sci-fi and futuristic locations – filming-friendly environments that are ready to inspire imaginative new productions.
