The formal launch of The Northern Studios complex is set to recharge film and TV-making in the region, with ambitious plans to boost the industry well under way.
Following on from the big role the North East has previously played as a movie location in the likes of Harry Potter, Transformers and Harry Potter - and with a continuing TV profile in Vera - the ambition now is to enjoy more golden days of film and TV-making. And The Northern Studios has a starring role to play in that.
The new large-scale new TV and film studio complex at Hartlepool is the only one in the region. It offers studio and green screen facilities for hire and promotes the region's range of landscape, from coastal and rural beauty spots to urban, industrial and heritage settings, as ideal filming locations. Already the crew of new action thriller Jackdaw - directed by local talent Jamie Childs whose CV includes His Dark Materials, The Sandman and Doctor Who - have made use of its facilities.
Read more: What Ken Loach had to say about filming in Newcastle
And, with a total of six new commissions initially planned to film in the North East, it's all off to a cracking start. Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC which is building upon its promise to spend at least £25m on funding local TV production, described the progress here to date as "game-changing".
The Northern Studios opened in November but had its official launch in March, attended by Sir Peter Bazalgette, co-chairman of the Creative Industries Council, as well as key figures in the industry. It was in September 2021 that the BBC first announced plans to spend at least £25m over the next five years across the North East to fund network TV production and talent development and support the creative sector as part of a wider partnership with the region.
The new commercial set-up at Hartlepool comes at what is described as an exciting time for the area following the confirmation of £16.5m of Government ‘levelling up’ funding to support a Production Village centred around The Northern Studios and Hartlepool's creative quarter, with the announcement of a further studio to come in Sunderland.
Tim Davie said: “The progress we are making in the North East is game-changing. There’s more to come and more to do but we’re on track to exceed the £25m we promised to the region and have already delivered six new commissions while supporting production, talent development and the creative sector here.”
The celebratory launch, at which Sir Peter Bazalgette said that this region "has so much to offer in terms of talent and creativity", was also attended by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen who said the venue is "a real sign to the UK’s creative industries and global production firms that the region is open for business!"
Local authorities have joined together with the intention of working with the BBC and independent producers, investing almost £11.5m to help fuel the growth of the TV and film industry across the region. And there is close work underway between The Northern Studios and North East Screen whose chief executive Alison Gwynn said the new venue is helping its aim of making the region a production hub.
The local screen agency recently announced that with all 12 authorities across the North East signed up to a Filming Friendly Charter, this sees the region declared as officially 'filming friendly' for TV and Film production. Alison said: "We are working hard to develop talent and businesses across the North East region as well attracting production companies to film here.
"Having studio space, filming-friendly local authorities and a skilled and talented growing workforce makes us a very attractive region indeed.”
The Northern Studios has facilities to suit a range of producers, from features and high-end TV to promo and immersive work. For more information about it see here.
The venue's neighbour The Northern School of Art provides training and education courses for creative industries, with opportunities for Saturday Club, A-levels, diplomas, degrees and post-graduate study. It was the first to become a partner of the Aardman Academy which has helped it develop an animation degree. Find out more here.
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