North East creative industries hailed as economic driving force

An event held in the North East to discuss the future of the film industry revealed the importance of the creative sector for the economic growth of the North and how the British film production landscape has changed irrevocably in 2011.

Teesside University, highly-regarded for its role in developing the creative industries, brought together leading names from the BBC, the BFI (British Film Institute) and Creative England at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, to discuss the future of film funding in the UK and its impact on regional producers.

Over one hundred people attended the event which also revealed that, despite major reductions in funding, the British film industry is now actively seeking new talent and is creating many new opportunities.

Both the BFI and BBC Films said they have plans to fund a range of work in the sector including new commercial film ideas and developing new talent from all over the UK, with a particular emphasis on encouraging producers from outside the London area.

Industry experts also advised film producers to think about the options to diversify in their sector and to consider cross-platform development, citing Aardman Animations, the team behind Wallace and Gromit, as an example.

The event, organised and hosted by Teesside University, provided an opportunity for film makers in the North East to pose their questions to Caroline Norbury, chief executive of new creative industries support agency Creative England, which has taken on the remit to support the film industry outside of London previously held by the regional screen agency network; Chris Collins, BFI; Joe Oppenheimer, an executive producer at BBC Films; and Keith Griffiths, Illuminations Films.

Teesside University is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading cultural hubs for media and creative development and is one of only a handful of Skillset Academies* working with organisations to support the sector and build and infrastructure to support it.

This event was the second in a series of three that Teesside University is holding around the North of England as part of its pro-active role in supporting and helping to develop the creative and digital industries which are so vital to the economic growth of the North East and Yorkshire regions.

The series started with an event in Leeds in October focusing on the issue of the ‘second screen’ with speakers from organisations such as Endemol, Channel 4 and Kudos speaking about the need for production companies and individuals from across the North to play their part in the future of broadcasting and TV production.

Teesside University will host the final event in the series, Murder on the Trans-media Express, at its new Darlington campus on Wednesday 7 December. This event will feature, among others, the creator of Pottermore, the much anticipated Harry Potter website which will showcase new and exclusive material by J.K Rowling.

Caroline Norbury, said, 'UK investment in film has been based on historical precedent set by the past 10 to 15 years, when there was a better level of public sector funding. That landscape has changed irrevocably in the past year and we need to change, and adapt in turn. To do that, we need to look at what we fund and how we fund it. But the basic principles still apply - if something drives you, and you are committed and passionate about it, then pursue it and don’t be afraid to approach anyone for help.'

Teesside University Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson, CBE, said, 'Teesside University prides itself on being one of the UK’s leading business facing universities and as a Skillset Media Academy we see supporting the region’s creative industries as a critical part of our remit, helping to ensure that there is an infrastructure in place to support a vibrant, innovative and successful sector.

'I am, therefore, delighted that the events held in Newcastle and Leeds were such an excellent showcase for the University and we very much look forward to the next such event at our new Darlington campus on December 7.'

The University's School of Arts & Media provides a range of easy, flexible ways for businesses to develop and offers short, professional courses aimed at those wanting to improve skills in the workplace and keep ahead of changes and advances in the sector.

For more information or to book a place please at the event contact Scott Watson, business development manager, School of Arts & Media on 01642 738527 or email sparkmedia@tees.ac.uk.

Teesside University is one of 23 Skillset Media Academies, a group of UK institutions identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK television and interactive industries as centres of excellence in creative media education and training.

---