Just before the start of term, whilst gathering ideas for an article on the film industry in the North East post lockdown, I reached out to North East Screen. Their name popped up on a Google search and seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.
Their email reply read, “we do not want to discuss lockdown or covid related matters” Oh. “But” It continued, “we would love to have you visit the office and discuss what it is we do at North East Screen.” Three weeks later I found myself journeying across the river to Sunderland for the chance to sit down and chat with three people from the company.
Here’s what I found out about the hidden gem of the film industry - North East Screen:
Formerly known as Northern Film + Media, North East Screen are spreading pride for the North East alongside a love for film and media with new schemes such as their Boot Camp. The Boot Camp sets out to provide a “good [and] candid heads up” on what it is like working in film and TV.
The Bootcamps play into in one of North East Screen’s key aims; to break through the barriers of nepotism and its who-you-know attitudes that are often associated with the industry, especially as a company outside of London. The team expressed a feeling of “responsibility to nurture talent” as a way to promote authentic regional voices.
It is an especially unique time to be involved with the film industry in the North East as all twelve local councils have come together in an agreement to fund local film and media production. North East Screen appear to be taking this in their stride with events such as Adult Film Club. Described as an opportunity for new and seasoned creators alike to showcase their best work as well as a time for networking which was described as, “a bespoke portal to commissioners” - as far as I could tell this event was only scratching the surface of what North East Screen has in plan for both the short term and long-term future.
I left the interview with a feeling of security that this kind of work was happening so close to Newcastle. It made me believe that there does not have to be a mass exodus to our capital city in the hopes of finding worthwhile options. As put by the team, “[the] North East had a hold on you.”