Tag: NECA

Screen Alliance North launches industry wide working group to improve sustainability across productions in the North

Posted on 7 May 20257 May 2025 by Jo Macleod

Screen Alliance North, the northern screen industry skills cluster, (thanks to support from the BFI awarding National Lottery funding), is working closely with sustainability consultants Picture Zero to establish a new Sustainability Working Group.

Made up of members representing a cross section of industry professionals who are interested in improving sustainable practices, the north-wide peer group will be run by Picture Zero on behalf of Screen Alliance North and is sponsored by Sunbelt Rentals.

Representatives from ITV, BBC, Channel 4, 5, BFI and Heads of Department in the industry will implement sustainable working practices across production companies, freelance crew, new entrants and on all types of productions shooting in the North.

Penny Hall, Skills Cluster Lead at Screen Alliance North, said;

“We continue to work towards our aim of becoming a beacon of sustainable good practice and are establishing this group to allow us to communicate sustainability messages across the industry. Members of the group are at a senior level with significant experience of working on productions in the North. They will be sharing best practice, advocate for sustainable practices and aim to positively influence productions and crew.

The group will meet four times a year to workshop solutions, share resources and use their network to drive change ultimately feeding into a joined-up set of criteria for productions to adhere to when filming anywhere in the North.”

Eve Stollery, Picture Zero, added;

“Reducing the environmental impact of production and putting climate messaging on screen requires action right from the start. The earlier sustainability is considered, the bigger the difference the production can make. We hope through working closely with Screen Alliance North and members of the Sustainability Working Group we can find ways to affect change early in the production process, communicate best practice and share new sustainable ways of working.

We are delighted to be collaborating with Screen Alliance North and I look forward to meeting with members and working towards a greener and more sustainable northern screen industry.”

Jenny Clark, Partnerships and Development Manager at Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland, said;

“We are proud to support the Sustainability Working Group in their mission to create a more sustainable future for the screen industry. By partnering with innovators and leaders, we can drive meaningful change that reduces environmental impact and sets new standards for sustainability across the sector. Together, we’re committed to a greener, more responsible future for production, and we look forward to being part of this transformative journey.”

Screen Alliance North are looking for sponsors for various elements of the Sustainability Working Group – meetings, a suppliers list, newsletter and programme of activity. If this is something your company would be interested in, please contact eve@picturezero.com.

BBC and North East working together to boost the screen industry

Posted on 1 August 20242 August 2024 by North East Screen

Director-General Tim Davie met with local leaders Kim McGuinness and Ben Houchen at the Darlington Hippodrome today (1 August 2024), to discuss the region’s future. The event marked three years since the BBC first signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the North East Screen Industry Partnership (NESIP) as part of it’s Across the UK plan.

Since the MOU was signed in 2021, the BBC has worked closely with its North East partners to boost world class “homegrown storytelling” from the region – providing key funding for production, employment, and the development of the area’s media industry. This included additional funding for North East Screen, and was part of the BBC’s Across the UK programme – to better reflect, represent, and serve all parts of the UK.

The BBC and the North East Screen Partnership (NESIP) has created 293 local jobs to date, contributing £18.6m of value to the region, and is on track to create a £50m a year production sector in the area by 2027.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, said: “The landmark BBC partnership was a substantial catalyst for the growth the screen industry in the North East. Over the past two years production has grown by 86% making our region the fastest growing in the UK. We have welcomed home grown and inward productions from the BBC, ITV, C4, Sky, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as major feature films. To date the NESIP programme has generated £40.2m of GVA and secured regional jobs equivalent to 650 FTEs.

“The BBC partnership has played a key role in driving industry confidence in our production and supply chain companies, talent, regional-based crew and our world-class locations.

With growing strength in our local production companies and infrastructure, and studio developments already underway, we will continue the delivering alongside our partners to ensure the North East has a sustainable screen industry that will see global content produced in the region all year long.”

On Wednesday, Tim Davie also visited the set of CBBC’s The Dumping Ground – which is filmed in Hexham, Northumberland, and employs local talent at all levels of production. The Dumping Ground’s award winning trainee scheme has seen over 80 participants take part from the region, securing a pipeline of local creative talent.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, says: “The BBC is proud to play a part in this landmark commitment to the North East. By boosting investment, allocating the right resources, and moving people outside of London – we’re making sure that authentic, home-grown stories from this amazing region are being told. It is our mission to bring people together and make sure the BBC continues to serve and reflect audiences from across the UK. We’re committed to our vision of supporting the North East’s vibrant media industry for the future.”

The BBC partnership has played a key role in driving industry confidence in our production and supply chain companies, talent, regional-based crew and our world-class locations. With growing strength in our talent, infrastructure, and studio developments already underway, we will continue the delivering alongside our partners to ensure the North East has a sustainable screen industry that will see global content produced in the region all year long.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness says: “Our North East has been the backdrop for iconic TV shows and films, and talent and creativity runs through our DNA as a region. Work by the BBC and North East Screen has helped kick start a renaissance in local production, job creation and investment in the North East’s screen industry. However, this is just the start. As Mayor I want to go further – so our region and talent is seen on screens across the globe. Just this week, I approved £25 million investment to begin work on the Crown Works Studios, which will create world-class film and TV production facilities in Sunderland. This will help make our area the home of real opportunity, ending the days where people have to leave the North East to pursue a career in creative industries.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen says: “Our region has fantastic locations, amazing talent, and huge potential as a centre for TV and film making – so it has been great to see the development of new shows in our area as part of this growing partnership with the BBC.

“We are building a growing reputation as a place where opportunities in the creative and digital sectors are thriving. This is why the expansion of the BBC in places such as Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool is so important as it not only shows off the best of our area but provides long-term careers for local people in well-paid skilled industries.”

Sara Davies says: “Having just finished filming The Big Idea Works with TwentySix03, I can tell you first-hand that the creative and production power of the North East is second to none. The BBC’s commitment to the region is a reflection of this wealth of talent, and long may it continue. We have much more to offer and, thanks to relationships with people like North East Screen, the viewers will see this in action. We all know that television is a challenging industry, but my goodness – there is a great deal to recognise in the region, and we need to make sure that production talent is preserved, nurtured and supported.”

By celebrating the MOU’s three-year anniversary and its current achievements, the BBC and its partners are ensuring that the North East’s growing legacy as a major entertainment producer is safeguarded for years to come

North East Mayor approves £25m film and TV industry investment

Posted on 31 July 202431 July 2024 by North East Screen

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and members of the North East Combined Authority have given the green light to a £25 million investment in the region’s screen industry.

At its Cabinet meeting held yesterday (Tuesday 30 July), Mayor McGuiness and local authority leaders approved £25 million to begin preparation on the site at Sunderland Riverside, which will be home to Crown Works Studios, a world-leading film and TV production studio.

The completed development will create up to 8,450 jobs across the North East by 2033. It is forecast that as the studio development and its supply chain grows over the next 10 years, it could add £2 billion to the region’s economy.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:

“The North East is already a hotbed for arts and culture. Today we are sending a message that we will be the home for world-class film and TV production. Our North East has been the backdrop for iconic TV shows and films, and talent and creativity runs through our DNA as a region. Now we will retake our place on screens across the globe.

“We will build a thriving creative economy from the banks of the River Wear and beyond, creating thousands of amazing jobs for local people. Doing so will make our area the home of real opportunity – ending the days where people have to leave the North East to pursue a career in creative industries.“

Cllr Michael Mordey, Cabinet member for Finance and Investment and leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Creative industries represent a huge opportunity for the whole of the North East, and we know that film studios like those proposed for Sunderland Riverside will be absolutely transformational for the city and region, supporting many thousands of jobs and delivering enormous benefits for businesses in the supply chain.

“We’re thrilled that the exciting proposals for studios in Sunderland have captured the imagination of so many people across the North East, and that the city will become home to yet another powerhouse, that will deliver huge advantages for the city, region and UK Plc. We look forward to working closely with the sector and investors on this world-class opportunity.”

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive, North East Screen commented:

“The North East is currently the fastest growing region in the UK for film and TV production and has seen an 86% increase over the past two years with 2024 already set to create even more jobs for local people. “The Crown Works Studios development will supercharge the North East to become an international film and TV production hotspot, where world class content for global audiences is made all year round.”

If you’re looking to become part of the screen industry supply chain in the North East, contact development@northeastscreen.org