Tees Valley Signs Up To Filming Partnership

The Tees Valley has moved a step closer to securing more film production for the region as all five local authorities from the area sign up to a pioneering filming partnership.
Redcar and Cleveland Council, Darlington Borough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council and Stockton Council will each sign up to Northern Film & Media’s Filming Friendly Partnership Charter – the Regional Screen Agency’s key strategy for bringing more film and TV to the North East of England.
Seven local authorities across the North East have already signed up to the partnership, though this is the first time that more than one local authority has signed at one time.
The specially arranged event is to take place in the Regent Cinema in Redcar – a prime location used by the Golden Globe and BAFTA winning film Atonement; a film also nominated for seven Oscars.
Northern Film & Media Chief Executive Tom Harvey said: “The North East already has the world class locations, but we need to make it quicker and easier – more attractive – for production companies to shoot here. The Filming Friendly Partnership aims to do just this.
"The signature of each of the five local authorities today is a great step towards more film and TV production here in the North East, and it is entirely in the spirit of the charter that all five have decided to sign the charter together, at the same time today in this important venue.
“£7m is brought into the region every year by production companies shooting in the region. This translates to £20,000 a day spent in our restaurants, hotels, and shops; on crew, facilities and services. This is a good start, but through this charter and these key partnerships we aim to encourage more films, TV programmes and advertisement to shoot here," he said.
The Filming Friendly Partnership was launched on the set of Atonement in the summer of 2006.
Since then, Northern Film & Media has consulted production managers, location managers and local authorities and worked hard to produce a Charter and guide to co-operating with production companies.
The charter, along with the guides and support seminars hosted by Northern Film & Media, equips local authorities with the knowledge to deal with production effectively when filming takes place in their region and also reap the many benefits.
For more information:
www.northernmedia.org
(DS)