MEDIA
Popular programme – Production company Natterbox , which produces Charlotte in Sunderland , has recently moved to the North-East .
Showcase – Jamie Childs , Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen at the premiere of JACKDAW .
Another example of local talent who ’ ve moved away from the area but are bringing productions to the North-East is writer and performer Phil Dunning .
Phil , who is known for Am I Being Unreasonable ?, Boat Story and Springleaf , is from Middlesbrough , and has written the new BBC comedy Smoggie Queens , which he will star in alongside fellow Teessider Mark Benton , known for Shakespeare & Hathaway , Northern Lights and Waterloo Road .
Smoggie Queens is a new LGBTQIA + comedy centred around a gang of friends who are fiercely proud of their North-Eastern town of Middlesbrough .
On the Middlesbrough-based series getting commissioned by the BBC , Phil said : “ I ’ m absolutely buzzing that the BBC is taking Smoggie Queens to series and I ’ m so grateful to them for allowing me to write such stupid and weird characters .
“ It ’ s been a beautiful dream working with Hat Trick , and the incredible cast already feel like my new chosen family . I can ’ t wait to introduce the sights , sounds and smells of Middlesbrough to the world .”
Alongside the local talent returning to the region to tell their stories to global and national audiences , companies involved in the screen industry are also basing themselves here to take advantage of the region ’ s underutilised potential .
An example of this is Northern Child , the northern branch of Brighton-based production company Middlechild , who have based themselves in the region and are working with indigenous production companies like Middlesbrough-based Wander Films to create content for top broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4 .
Other production companies that have moved to the region include Natterbox , who produce the very popular Charlotte in Sunderland , and Shudder Films who have boosted their infrastructure with regional staff , and whose recent feature film Kneecap , starring Michael Fassbender , won the audience award at the prestigious Sundance film festival .
In order to continue to grow at the rate it currently is , the screen industry in the North-East also needs to have a robust supply chain network .
These supply chain companies range from equipment suppliers to post production houses , caterers to waste disposal companies , taxi drivers to prop firms . The list is vast and varied .
If you want to find out more about how your business can support the film and TV industry , get in touch with the North East Screen talent and business development team at development @ northeastscreen . org and visit northeastscreen . org to learn more about the opportunities for those wanting to work in the screen industry in the North-East .
The screen industry in Tees Valley and the wider North-East is not just growing , it ' s thriving , thanks to the combined efforts of returning talent and new businesses recognising the region ' s potential .
This renaissance promises a bright future , making Tees Valley a significant hub for the UK ’ s screen industry .
A key supplier based here in the North- East which recently celebrated its 20th year of business in the region is Focus Canning . Focus Canning started as two separate companies ( Focus 24 and Picture Canning ) before combining in 2023 .
Those 20 years have seen the company become an award-winning camera supplier with a rich credit history suppling some of the nation ’ s hit TV shows including Peaky Blinders , Boiling Point , Man like Mobeen and Little Birds .
As well as supporting the regional economy and driving the development of the screen industries here in the North- East , Focus Canning prides itself on delivering quality and getting the “ little big things ” right , earning the respect and trust from many national and global production companies .
It ’ s also helping North East Screen nurture and inspire the next generation of camera operators through the North East Crew Academy .
Last year , 13 academy members attended a workshop at Focus Canning ’ s northern base in Newcastle , providing them with hands-on experience industry standard equipment .
There will be further opportunities with Focus Canning as the partnership between them and North East Screen grows and develops .
The screen industry also relies on supply chain companies to grow and attract productions to the region .
The North East Screen Talent and Business Development team recently spoke to a group of Darlington-based businesses about supplying to film and television productions .
They met talented local entrepreneurs who will play a key role in building the necessary infrastructure for the industry in the North-East .
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