TRAILERS the MONTHLY NEWSLETTER of

Royal Television Society Issue no. 99 NORTH EAST and the BORDER CENTRE Sept 2008 for RTS members from Selkirk to Scarborough and the Solway Firth to Sunderland TRAILERS No borders on creativity? EDITORIAL Most months, the stories in Trailers illustrate a media sector in change across the North East and Cumbria. This September edition captures that change at perhaps one of its most pivotal points. There are ample examples of national and worldwide recognition of the region’s creative filmmakers. Two of the twelve places in the Virgin Shorts Finals are taken by this region’s entries - beating off 1400 others. Sharon Barbour’s Wahine documentary won more international awards and a trip to New York; Graeme Aldous’ First Overland took him to Norway. After amassing a fan base in forty countries for Wire in the Blood, Coastal are moving into films. Two Bollywood films have been shot in the region this summer. And digital artist Lyn Hagan is aiming for the stars after recording video footage at zero gravity. But September also sees the closely-watched results of media watchdog Ofcom’s review of Public Service Broadcasting. The verdict will be announced on ITV’s plans for radical change to regional news. And regardless of their decision, regional ITV favourites such as Dales Diary, Grundy Goes and The Way We Were are due to end. They’re to be replaced by Here and Now, a UK-wide brand for a regional magazine series which will launch in 2009. Trailers October edition will bring more details of the ITV changes. Investment boost for RTS winner after merger An expansion of post production The Judging Panel admired not only facilities in Newcastle looks likely its impressive recent growth and for Twenty First Century Media after continued potential, but the being snapped up by Ten Alps. considerable risks and innovative steps it has taken to succeed. “When Already business has increased it first started, this youthful and Two new shows following the acquisition, part of entrepreneurial company looked rapid growth by Ten Alps. Adrian closely at its potential markets and for Standing Stone Dunleavy, who runs Ten Alps quickly focused on the corporate The Newcastle-based independent set up Communication, said: “This is a sector." by Tom Gutteridge has won its first two first class entrepreneurial business contracts. in what we see as one of our fastest- “Managing Director Sam Morton growth markets.” and Marketing Director Nick Imrie Cilla Black returns to TV to host lead Twenty Loveland, where contestants interact with real-time animated avatars masking blind Sam Morton, First Century date hopefuls. The ten-part series will be MD of Twenty Media with screened by Sky 1 in 2009. And worldwide First Century strategic distribution rights for daily game show Media added: vision and a Hot Seat have been sold to Los Angeles “Naturally we are delighted and steady hand in a competitive media company Debmar-Mercury. A US consider this our next step after just landscape.” pilot is to be recorded in the autumn, when over five years of continuous Standing Stone will also enter discussions growth.” The company has offices in Glasgow, with UK broadcasters. Leeds and London which handle Twenty First Century produces video client relationships and filming, but Tom Harvey, Chief Executive of NFM, content for a range of corporate and post production will continue to be pictured above (left) with Tom Gutteridge, said: “It is important that Northern Film public sector clients including Nike, based in the company’s headquarters & Media continues to invest money Sage, the NHS and The Prince’s in Shieldfield, Newcastle, where through schemes such as our TV Network Trust. It won the RTS Company of additional staff and equipment are investment fund to ensure that such talent the Year earlier this year. expected. makes it to the national and international market place.” PAGE 2 TRAILERS ISSUE NO. 99 Sept 2008 Celebratory preview of autumn “Wire” “Get inside the mind of someone who’s out of theirs.” That was the poster: the screening of two episodes from the new eight-part series of Wire in the Blood at Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema gave the packed audience a chance to get inside the minds of three key players who have built a worldwide success yet maintained strong links with their North East starting point. Robson Green said Colombo was one influence on his performance as psychologist Dr Tony Hill and pinpointed powerful storytelling as vital. Looking ahead, he said Coastal planned to expand into filmmaking. Sandra Jobling, Coastal’s executive producer, described the struggle to win agreement for filming the six ITV1 series in the North East. “We began 12 years ago, and succeeded against every odds. It isn’t easy...but we’ve shot 40 hours of prime time drama.” The series is edited in Leeds. Producer Phil Leach said the precedent set by Coastal had reduced the cost of out-of-London location shoots for other productions. Northern Film and Media’s Michael Chaplin praised “a shining example of an international brand” which other companies were keen to emulate. Wire is sold in forty countries and has won international awards. He reminded the audience that commercial creative industries are worth £1bn to the region’s economy. The event was organised by NFM, BAFTA and Coastal. Trips for epic road movie Bollywood does the double An RTS presentation, premiered in Carlisle, has now travelled to Norway and the film heads to South Africa later this year. Two major Indian films have been In May last year, Graeme Aldous gave a shot - following whistlestop rekkies presentation on his First Overland dvd, which across the North East and Cumbria features film footage lost from view for over by their production teams. half a century. Originally commissioned for the BBC by David Attenborough, it hadn’t Who Spoke? was written by Arshad been seen since it was transmitted in the late Warsi who also plays a lead role, ’50s. Graeme realised that it would be a ‘must’ and made by Shooting Star Films. for Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide, and got permission to re-master it, with Our Language, Our Country is a commentary by the surviving expedition family drama set in India and the members, and Sir David. UK. Locations included Alnwick “It’s now sold online all around the world — Gardens in Northumberland, to 28 countries at the last count. It’s been a Graeme blames a lifelong Land Rover Gateshead’s Metro Centre and great honour to be the one who made it enthusiasm on having seen one of the two Tynemouth Priory. available.” ‘Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern This summer he was invited to Rena to give Expedition’ vehicles go past him in SE London a special version of the presentation to mark in 1955 on its way to Singapore. “I was just 60 years of Land Rover. “It was only the 12 years old, but when the ‘First Overland’ Deadlines for book came out, I was hooked.” Then, when district council’s ‘Kulturhus’,” said Graeme, th “but it was such a superb cinema, with THX the 50 anniversary of the expedition was RTS Awards sound, that I could even hear our farm hens being celebrated, Graeme discovered that the mute colour film still existed. clucking in the background of one piece-to- Entries for the RTS regional Awards camera I did. The Land Rover Owners Club of Southern for the North East and The Border “Even better, I was followed on the programme Africa will also be giving a special showing area will be invited from early by The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian of the film in October, but Graeme thinks that September with the launch of the and Kung Fu Panda!” will be a little too far to go. Not that he hasn’t Call for Entries brochure. been tempted to travel further. “The next That presentation was so well received that it generation of LR enthusiasts is already coming was repeated — but in odder circumstances. up, and a young man from Cambridgeshire, The final deadline will be noon on Late at night on the rally site Graeme was Michael Geary, wanting to renovate an early Friday 31 October, with discounts asked to do it again, with the pictures projected Land Rover, decided on the basis of the book for entries received two weeks earlier onto a white dinghy sail, fixed to the side of and the DVD to make a replica of the Oxford on Friday 17 October. a log cabin. The audience appreciated it car. After one of my presentations, someone and the ferocious Norwegian mosquitoes came forward and offered him a suitable Changes include the introduction of appreciated Graeme and the audience! vehicle to recreate its Cambridge twin.” Best News Coverage award and the Once he’s done that, Michael intends to drive non-broadcast Best Production for the two vehicles overland to Singapore, a Target Audience has an additional recreating the original journey as closely as trophy. Full details will be available possible in the current political climate. on www.rts.org.uk/netb PAGE 3 TRAILERS ISSUE NO. 99 Sept 2008 NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF Public Service Review announced in Sept Ofcom’s PSB Review will make its recommendations in September, following consultations, leaks and much high profile debate at this Zero gravity doco August’s Edinburgh TV Festival. Two NE films shortlisted Decisions are expected on ITV’s from 1400 entries screens in October proposals to reduce regional programming, which includes a single Ian and Siobhan Fenton’s animation North East artist Lyn Hagan has completed production team producing news The Big Push (pictured above) is in her “Cat and Mouse at 0g” project, after output for both Border and North East the Virgin Shorts Finals, which take hiring a cosmonaut training plane in audiences, and the loss of the Teesside place in London on 29 September. Moscow. Three artists were filmed in the and Borders local opts. Also shortlisted is Steve Brunton for repeated periods of 23 seconds of 5 Bricks High. See trailers and vote at weightlessness, which occur as the plane www.virginmediashorts.co.uk plunges towards the earth. Wahine wins again Lyn, who is supported by the Arts Council Storm UK’s documentary Wahine has Engage channel launch and Teesside’s DigitalCity, took her pet cat won two more Best Documentary The world’s first channel for people Major Tom (pictured during the flight) and awards, at the West Hollywood Film with disabilities is underway. Engage a mouse (in cage, above) to explore how Festival and the Moondance Film tv, based in Newcastle, commissions they reacted at zero gravity. The film is to Festival, Colorado. Producer Sharon content from people with disabilities be shown in October. Lyn is also exploring Barbour travelled to New York for a and has just announced it will be with European Space Agency scientists the screening at Tribeca. The film, recording a sitcom later this year. possibility of an artwork on Mars as part exclusively previewed in April Details: www.engagetv.co.uk of a future expedition. Trailers, was post produced by Boro TV. See trailer: http://nz.youtube.com/ Roger’s up there with Details: www.lifeinspace.org user/TheWahineDisaster Angel of the North Relentless on Tyneside Spotted on screen at a recent Tyneside Cinema showing of films made to mark Channel 4’s Relentless game show the 10th anniversary of the Gateshead will be filming on the streets of Angel: former Trailers editor Roger Newcastle in September and Burgess flying through the air. Roger October, for screening on T4. It created his film when attending an follows auditions in August. animation workshop to celebrate the Angel. Roger told Trailers he is now . developing claymation skills and working on a radio play Anyone Can Fly. Can’t keep a good man down!

RTS EVENTS MEDIA DIARY OTHER DATES Wednesday 17 Sept, Cavendish Conference Centre, London Friday 12 September Ofcom - PSB Phase 2 with Ed Richards Deadline to enter Cinema Extreme - maximum budget awarded £50K www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/extreme Friday 26 Sept, Barbican Centre, London Conference: International Opportunity Knocks Tuesday 16 September Includes Keynote Lecture, Andy Burnham, Media Secretary of State Deadline for First Light filmmaker applications Details: www.firstlightmovies.com/funding RTS regional events * 12 Sept - Hoults Yard Open Day Wednesday 17 September, NFM, Newcastle * Celebration of Amber Films - October (date TBC) Wendall Thomas seminar - Black Comedy and Satire * Annual Review - 16 December, Live Theatre, Newcastle * 21 Feb 2009 - RTS Awards 2008 - The Sage Gateshead Thursday 18 September, NFM, Newcastle Register: [email protected] Wendall Thomas seminar - The Forbidden: voiceover and flashbacks For details of all these events: www.rts.org.uk/netb Register: www.northernmedia.org PAGE 4 TRAILERS ISSUE NO. 99 Sept 2008

North East & The Border Centre Follow Spot COMMITTEE Every month Trailers throws even Chair: Graeme Thompson Tyne Tees Television more light on someone in the spotlight The Watermark Gateshead NE11 9SZ Chris Jackson is no stranger to winning RTS Tel: 0844 8815000 Awards - and this year he won the RTS Best Presenter Award for his work with the BBC’s Vice-Chair: Garth Jeffery Rockwood House Inside Out magazine programme. Rothbury Road, Longframlington Northumberland NE65 8HX 01665 570971 What was your first paid job? to apply is patience with contributors. Softly, e-mail: [email protected] Delivering meat on an old butcher’s bike in Softly can bring results where others have Newcastle. charged right in. Secretary: Tony Edwards 63 Vindomora Road What was your first big break in the industry? If you could have pursued another career, Ebchester, Consett Doing breakfast traffic bulletins on a new what would you have done & why? Co. Durham DH8 0PP Tel: 01207 560689 Independent Local Radio Station whilst still at Airline pilot – I just love flying. An ambition I mobile: 07831 371 160 college. I must have been the only student awake should have fulfilled before carbon footprints e-mail: [email protected] at 5.30am! were a hot topic.

Treasurer: Tony Gaw Would you start in the same way, if you were Do you have a role model or mentor? Tel: 01642 315523 starting out now? Any broadcaster who can make it look like it’s Definitely. This was before the days of media easy. Jill Dando had a warmth and ease on Committee 2008-2009 courses and learning on the job was fantastic screen that few could match. Graeme Aldous, Vin Arthey, experience. John Coffey, David Girdlestone, What’s been the best thing about the past 12 Mike Hairsine, Olwyn Hocking, Top tips for newcomers? months? Steve Hunneysett, Lesley Oakden Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and learn There’s no way I can say this without it sounding Gary Stubbs, Trevor Wonfor from the mistakes of others as well as your like I’m crawling but it really was an honour own. You won’t be the first or last to trip up to get an RTS award. Co-opted Members somewhere along the line. You judge yourself every day and are often your Oonagh Forster, worst critic, but to be recognised by your peers Maggie Greenhalgh, Julie Jude, Sheilagh Matheson, Who is your hero/heroine? is something special. David Williams, Annie Wood Frankly any journo who really has the guts to report from the front line. People like Martin What new thing will you do in the next 12 Bell who could not only report from truly months – can we hold you to it?? dangerous situations but do it with great I would like to devote more time to the life part Enjoy Trailers in colour authority and brilliant writing skills. of the work/life balance. There are others www.rts.org.uk/netb waiting to hold me to it so join the queue. If you met him, what would you want to ask? How close he’d come to losing professional Can you continue to succeed if you stay in the Send your detachment from injustices he has seen. North East and the Border area? stories + pictures I’d like to think so, but nothing lasts for ever about What’s your worst nightmare? in this business. As we all know it takes a lot your programmes I’ve been through it. Producing a bulletin when to get us to move away from this part of the and people ALL the live and recorded material failed to world. to Trailers Editors make it. If stressed enough, it comes back to haunt me! What are you working on now? Annie and Olwyn As I write I’m flying back from the States after on What’s your key skill, and what other filming a couple of stories, but as they won’t [email protected] skills/talents do you need for your job? air until September, if I tell you I’d have to kill That’s for others to decide ..but a skill I try you...

Freakarama plans stage shows and film

Growling Crown Entertainment, currently in “The show could be described as The League edit with a sitcom pilot shot at four locations of Gentlemen meets The Addams Family,” Chris around Sunderland, is developing plans for an told Trailers. It is a surreal sitcom based on the associated stage show and film. eccentric Prince Fistulous Withers III (pictured left with maid) and a gathering of witches, The production, Freakarama, is based on the jesters, clowns and assistants. The cast includes comedy stage performances of standup Warren BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey. Speed. It was written by Speed and directed by Chris Greenwood. More details: www.freakarama.com