Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
20/01/2004

Statistics reveal 2003 is busiest year in Liverpool Film Office’s history

New figures show that Liverpool's film and television industry broke all records in 2003.
Statistics from the city council's Film Office reveal it organised the equivalent of 612 days of filming during the year - the highest since the department was formed back in 1989.
It smashes the previous record of 502 days, which was set in the year 2000 when Samuel L Jackson was in the city filming his Hollywood blockbuster 'The 51st State'.
Productions shot in the city in 2003 included two feature films - 'Millions', a black comedy starring James Nesbitt about two youngsters who find £1 million, and 'Digital Jesus' which saw locations such as Stanley Dock, Exchange Flags and Old Hall Street double as New York.
One of the world's hottest film stars - Jude Law - spent a day in Liverpool filming a re-make of the 1960's movie 'Alfie'.
Nine network television programmes were also shot in the city, including: BBC One police series 'Mersey Beat' - which is shot entirely in Liverpool; CBBC's 'Grange Hill' - shot on location at Mersey TV headquarters and in Norris Green; ITV1's drama 'To Kidnap a Princess' about the attempted kidnap of Princess Anne - which used Sefton Park to replicate The Mall in London; ‘Red and Blue’ - a BBC One drama about the demonstrations outside Holy Cross school in Belfast; And ‘Pleasurelands’ - a coming of age drama for Channel 4.
The Film Office estimates that hundreds of people were employed on the productions, giving an estimated £15 million boost to the local economy and benefiting businesses such as hotels, taxi firms and caterers.
And 2004 looks set to be an even better year because the Film Office and North West Vision- the organisation that promotes filming in the region - have successfully bid for £6 million from the Objective One fund to develop and encourage new talent, and strengthen the crew, facilities and filming infrastructure across Merseyside.
Film Office manager Lynn Saunders believes the future is looking good: "It's a really exciting time for the film industry in Liverpool. The Liverpool Film Studios have firmly established themselves as a production base within the city, and the Objective One cash means we can invest in the next generation of filmmakers to bring on new talent.
"Liverpool is now known as a city that welcomes film makers with open arms and does all it can to accommodate them. The word is spreading among producers and directors that whatever location you need, Liverpool can provide it."
Cllr Warren Bradley, Executive Member or Leisure and Culture, added: "Liverpool has a fantastic reputation within the film industry for providing great locations and logistical support for film makers.
"There is a phenomenal level of interest in using Liverpool for making television series and feature films, and with the European Capital of Culture win our profile is set to grow even further over the coming months and years."
Later this year, 'The Virgin of Liverpool', a comedy feature film starring Ricky Tomlinson and Johnny Vegas, shot entirely on location in the city, will go on general release and it is thought it will generate more interest from filmmakers wanting to come to the city.
(GB)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

21/04/2023
Magnifi Scoops NAB Product Of The Year Award
Magnifi has been awarded the prestigious 2023 NAB Product of the Year award in the AI and machine learning category for its flagship product, Magnifi
20/04/2023
MCX8000 Wins Product Of The Year Award At NAB 2023
ST Engineering iDirect's MCX8000 has won Product of the Year Award at NAB 2023. Broadcasters today are looking to lower CAPEX and OPEX and to be more
19/05/2023
D2N Solutions Signs Multi-Year Deal
D2N Technology Solutions has signed a multi-year deal to supply a comprehensive Riedel Bolero and Kenwood intercom solution for the Triple Eight Race
28/04/2023
Perifery AI+ Scoops NAB Show Product Of The Year Award
Perifery, a division of DataCore, announced that its groundbreaking new Perifery AI+, a set of application-centric services for content production wor
28/04/2023
Black Box Wins 2023 NAB Show Product Of The Year Award
Black Box has announced that its Emerald® DESKVUE is a winner in the 2023 NAB Show Product of the Year Awards, Hardware Infrastructure category. This
28/04/2023
Brompton Technology's Tessera G1 Receiver Card Wins Product Of The Year Award
Brompton Technology has announced its ground-breaking Tessera G1 receiver card has won the coveted Product of the Year Award, following a live awards
25/04/2023
Vislink Wins Celebrated 2023 NAB Product of the Year Award
Vislink Technologies has been awarded the prestigious Product Of The Year for their new 5G-Link the 2023 NAB show. Mickey Miller, Vislink CEO, said: "
30/01/2018
Action-Packed Year For Liverpool's Film Industry
Liverpool is taking a starring role on the silver and small screens across the world as filming in the city is at an all-time high. The Liverpool Film
21/05/2003
‘Virgin of Liverpool’ premiered at Cannes
A feature film shot and set entirely in Liverpool recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film ‘Virgin of Liverpool’ - starring Ricky Toml
09/12/2015
New Film Suite Launched In Liverpool
The award-winning sound engineer behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, has selected Liverpool to launch his advanced post production sound and e
18/02/2005
Filming boom continues in Liverpool
Liverpool's film and television industry is continuing to boom - bucking the national trend. New figures from the city council's Film Office reveal th
01/08/2002
Feature film to start shooting in Liverpool
A feature film starring two of Britain’s best-known actors is to start shooting in Liverpool on Sunday August 4 2002. The 'Virgin of Liverpool' has ‘T
11/05/2005
Liverpool Film Office heads to Cannes Film Festival
Liverpool City Council's Film Office will be meeting with international film industry professionals at Cannes this year, to promote Liverpool's divers
07/12/2012
UK's Future Film Industry Boost
The BFI today announces the 24 regional partners that will help deliver its pioneering BFI Film Academy Network programme in 2012/13. The BFI Film Aca
23/10/2008
Mayor Of London Pledges His Support For Film In The Capital
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has held his first meeting with prominent figures from the film, television and production industries. The film summit h