Film industry professional appointed to manage Cumbria film office

‘Harry Potter’, ‘Bad Girls’, ‘Footballers Wives’ and ‘Captain Correlli’s Mandolin’ are just a small selection of the impressive credentials that fill the CV of Cumbria’s first film liaison officer, Alan Saywell.
Having worked in London for several year’s Saywell decided a change of direction was needed so turned his back on the bright lights of the big smoke and headed north to the tranquil setting of the South Lakes to take up an appointment with North West Vision (Film and TV agency) to manage the Cumbria Film Office.
Born in Chester and brought up in Shropshire, Saywell obtained a first class honours degree in Photography Film and Television from Napier University in Edinburgh.
After graduating Saywell set up his own production company and concentrated on shooting corporate videos and pop promos before moving to London to work on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Captain Correlli’s Mandolin.
He then went to work in the world of television starting out as a unit manager moving quickly up the ranks to become a location manager.
Talking about his new role, Saywell said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to run Cumbria’s premiere Film office on behalf of North West Vision. I am looking forward to utilising my knowledge, skills and contacts to promote Cumbria as a filming destination. Cumbria has a multitude of diverse filming locations from coast line and docks, to industrial sites, historic buildings, market towns, and of course the stunning scenery and lakes. I will be working closely with our local partners Rural Regeneration Cumbria, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Tourist Board to market the region, increase filming and help develop a sustainable film and TV economy in the county.”
The office will be split between Rural Regeneration Cumbria, Penrith, and the Cumbria Institute of the Arts, Carlisle. Saywell will be the first point of contact for any potential filming in the county. He will provide a free film liaison service for all productions looking to film in Cumbria and will facilitate all productions shooting in the region.
Saywell will be creating a database of Cumbria based crew and facilities and develop a location portfolio to entice production companies into the area and encourage creative clusters in order to support and facilitate film and television productions.
The official launch of the Cumbria Film Office will take place on Thursday December 1 at the Rheged Centre in Penrith.
(GB)