Norfolk Screen is excited to announce the launch of its new resourceful One Stop Shop service dedicated to promoting Norfolk as a screen-friendly county that showcases locations, talent, services & facilities within the region. The company provides a signposting service to those considering or intending to shoot in Norfolk, whether they be shorts, docs, feature films, TV productions, commercials, music videos or photo shoots.

Whilst still in its early stages of development, the web driven initiative has already started to develop an impressive online database of local businesses, production facilities & services, cast, crew and locations. Claire Chapman (Managing Director) and Craig Higgins (Head of Development) - the founders of the service - want to encourage even more screen related services and creatives to sign up so that they can signpost to incoming international and national productions the unsung production infrastructure the region has to offer. Since their website went live last November they have already received several enquiries from high profile Film & TV productions looking to shoot in the region.

They have also been honored with industry in-kind endorsement from the British Film Institute, the British Film Commission and are members of the Creative England Filming in England Partnership.

Regionally based businesses that can supply screen productions, such as accommodation providers, catering companies, security firms, productions offices, property owners and more, can register their services for free. As Claire and Craig explain, “As a service we believe the more we can showcase the assets Norfolk has to offer, the greater the chances are of encouraging more Film and TV production to the region, thereby creating more opportunities for our regionally based services, facilities and creatives to thrive.” 

As BAFTA and Emmy-nominated film director Julian Jarrold (a member of Norfolk Screen’s Advisory Board) says: Despite its riches, Norfolk is still an underused location by the TV and film industry. That is all about to change as Norfolk Screen is now up and running: an impressive one stop shop for anyone wanting to film or broadcast in the county. Check it out! (Director: Great Expectations, Kinky Boots, Becoming Jane, Brideshead Revisited, The Crown).

Oscar and BAFTA nominated producer, Debra Hayward (Bridget Jones Diary, Love Actually, About a Boy, Atonement, Paul, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Les Misérables), also explained:

“I am excited to be part of Norfolk Screen as they are flying the flag for the region and championing local talent and services. Norfolk can offer first-class talent, services, and world-class locations. With the explosion of streaming platforms, and more TV and Film shooting than ever before, we need to encourage more production in Norfolk and help build a thriving, local industry

WHY NORFOLK?

“It’s not just the glorious vistas, the famous skies, the coastline, the market towns, and the sheer variety of landscape and location that the county of Norfolk offers – it’s something else, something to do with the authentic continuity of character and difference that has run through the people and the place that lends Norfolk its uniqueness, charm, quirkiness, beauty and grandeur. I’m prejudiced because I grew up here and live here still, but I’m more prejudiced because I’ve filmed here, and I know that there’s no experience like it…” Stephen Fry

It is no secret that Norfolk has hosted several film and TV productions with many well-known programmes and films being shot in the county ranging from Classic TV shows such as Dad’s Army to epic Hollywood Blockbusters like Shakespeare in Love, Atonement, The Duchess, Jack The Giant Slayer, Stardust, Avengers: Age of Ultron to British Feature Classics including 45 Years, Yesterday, The Souvenir and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

Here a few quotes about Filming in Norfolk:

“Norfolk is one of the most atmospheric and unspoilt places in the UK to film – and we could not have asked for a better set of landscapes, marshland and beaches with which to visualise the world of David Copperfield. Digging in with a cast and crew in North Norfolk made the experience of making a film even richer than usual.” Kevin Loader (Producer – The Personal History of David Copperfield).

“It was an absolute pleasure to film in Norwich. The people were extremely welcoming and the council couldn’t have been more enthusiastic. Everyone involved was super helpful. A wonderful experience!” Lynsey Cosford (Location Manager – Netflix’s Jingle Jangle).

“Norfolk is a special county – for many still an unknown secret! With vast sandy beaches, historical buildings, the broads and beautiful countryside, there are potential film locations everywhere…” Jake Humphrey (Sky sports presenter and TV producer).

Norfolk’s dynamic history and culture has helped to contribute to its vibrant character; from the complete medieval street of Elm Hill, the incredible Norwich Cathedral and Castle to the most stunning coast line in the world and of course the best river system in the UK - the Norfolk Broads. All this is topped off with Norfolk’s big open skies, iconic landmarks, award winning facilities/services and an array of talented crew which is all easily located within reach of London offering ample opportunities at a competitive price.

Furthermore, in recognising the economic and cultural benefits of attracting international production and developing a local industry, the UK government’s film and high-end television tax reliefs are widely considered as the most transparent, inclusive and reliable production incentives in the world, making Norfolk an equally attractive production destination as other counties in the UK. 

So here are a few examples of just what Norfolk can offer…

Norfolk has a long-established production history dating back to the days of Anglia TV and over the years has seen its development of studio spaces such as Epic Broadcast Studios, October Studios and Raynham Hanger Studios. Further to this there are a number of award-winning companies including Ember Films, an independent production company with multiple Emmy wins and BAFTA nominations, to outstanding award-winning VFX companies such as Lexhag.

By local businesses signing up to Norfolk Screen’s database (for FREE), the stronger the screen production infrastructure in the region will be and that Norfolk Screen will have to shout about!

CAST & CREW: The county boasts an incredible list of skilled and locally based crew ranging from the fields of sound, direction, cinematography to runners. For more information about local talent please check out Norfolk Screen’s Cast & Crew database here.

LOCATIONS: Norfolk is easily located within reach of London and provides a gateway to some of the best locations in the UK. With over 90 miles of unspoilt coastline, breathtaking countryside, historic stately houses, incredible rivers including the Broads National Park with over 125 miles of lock-free waterways, picturesque market towns and one of the UK’s finest cities Norwich. The city features the stunning Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle, a medieval street, outstanding architecture, and a thriving outdoor market. Check out a selection of Norfolk’s stunning locations here.

WHY ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION TO NORFOLK?

The Screen production sector is increasingly regarded as not only culturally important, but as a powerful driver for economic development. Screen productions generate significant amounts of expenditure in production locations, which is distributed across on-the- ground crew, local production companies, service and rentals companies, and a range of other suppliers such as caterers, restaurants, hotels, and transport providers.

As published by the British Film Institute earlier this month, in 2020 international film and HETV production spend in the UK grossed £2.34bn despite the impact of COVID-19.

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said: “After an unbelievably tough year, {these} figures show an incredibly vibrant and positive picture for film and TV in the UK. Last spring it was hard to imagine that we would be generating £1 billion worth of production activity in the final quarter which has been achieved by industry and government pulling together and the determination of our workforce to get back up and running. This sector is primed to grow with expansion underway in studios and production hot spots across the UK, delivering more jobs and more to the economy.

With the growth in screen production awarding winning TV producer Hilary Bevan-Jones noted: “I am delighted to be involved with Norfolk Screen, who are making strides to promote and showcase this incredible county to film and TV. We have had many productions successfully shoot here over the decades but, until now, no one has been proactive in sharing this region with the world. It is great to see Norfolk Screen developing a local directory of talent, services and locations and illustrating the many great opportunities that Norfolk can offer to production.”

Norfolk Screen is championing more Film and TV production to the region to enhance economic growth, job creation and skills development.

THAT’S WHY… THAT’S WHY NORFOLK!

For more information about Norfolk Screen please visit: www.norfolkscreen.co.uk

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