Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Filming in Bolton
Filming in Bolton is ding dang do-able
BOLTON is in the middle of a filming boom this year, with the filming of two commercials and major ITV drama Cold Blood having already been supported by North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media agency for England’s Northwest.
The Greater Manchester film office reported 32 filming days across Bolton in 2006 and they’re hoping for a further increase if this year’s recent activity is anything to go by.
Susan Williams, North West Vision’s Film Officer explains: “Year by year, the Greater Manchester area has vastly increased its filming activity and Bolton has had a significant part to play in this success.”
At a recent shoot for a Gregg’s bakery advert in Bolton Town Centre, local funnyman Paddy McGuiness said: “It makes me proud to be filming here. I used to be a student around these parts, I spent a good part of my youth on those notorious town hall steps so it’s great to be around again.”
The ad is part of a hub of TV exposure for the northern town in 2007 that includes recent appearances in Shameless, Life on Mars and an upcoming Crunchy Nut Cornflakes commercial. Focusing on the comedian’s antics as a landscape gardener outside the Town Hall, the shoot attracted plenty of attention from local passers by, keen to discover why their local pasty shop had been converted into a TV set.
“We chose Bolton because it’s where Paddy comes from but also because North West Visions film offices in partnership with Bolton council have been really proactive”, says David Barnes, location manager for the shoot. “It could have been really tricky to arrange but everyone’s been massively helpful.”
Chief Productions Producer, Colin Offland agrees: “Its really been a breath of fresh air to work here, we were here last week for the Crunchy Nut commercial and today has been great as well because the local authorities are so film friendly.”
Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “It’s fabulous that Bolton seems to be being chosen as a filming location more and more. It’s a great boost for the town and creates a feel-good factor for local people. It just goes to show that Bolton is best!”
