Northwest Broadcast Talent Promoted

A SERIES of new databases which list the Northwest’s film, TV and digital content talent, together with facilities and production companies operating in the area, is celebrating its success at drawing together an extensive profile of the region’s creative talent - just six months since it was launched.

Vision and Media’s Crew, Facilities and Production Companies Databases are proving to be an invaluable tool for both employees and employers.

And in a bid to further expand its impressive, bespoke databases, regional screen agency, Northwest Vision and Media is now inviting even more applicants to take advantage of the free service it provides.

“Our Crew Database is updated every day, and currently has details of around 850 crew members, so no matter how short the notice we can give productions looking to hire talent a comprehensive list of who’s out there. Similarly, our Facilities Database lists nearly 400 businesses and resources from across the region, all offering professional services to the industry,” explains Ed Pugh, Talent Base Manager at Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the region’s film, TV and digital content industries.

The Northwest is already the largest and most profitable film and TV industry outside London, contributing over 11% of network programming every year, and adding substantially to the high growth, high value, digital and media sectors. But Vision and Media is determined to increase the region’s proportion of production pie, and the databases are one way of doing that.

“Ultimately, the screen agency is here so that people can make film, TV and digital media in England’s Northwest. But above all, we’re here to make it easier to make it, so our free database service helps to bridge the gap between the region’s largely freelance talent base, and the companies looking to employ that talent,” explains Ed.

From scripted drama to children’s animation, film to high-end factual, the Northwest boasts an amazing array of talent, with existing companies such as Lime Pictures, RED, Cosgrove Hall, Red Vision, Realtime:UK, Idaho, Stardotstar, Scarlet and Libra all looking to expand production. In recent years there’s also been an influx of big name brands coming into the region, with Channel K, Shine North, Tightrope North, Objective North, Freeform and October North all open for business, each bringing new production into the region and collectively estimated to turnover around £30 million over the next two years.

And in addition to all of these, the BBC’s move to Salford, combined with plans for mediacity:uk, presents an enormous opportunity for the region to grow even further.

“Although we had offered a paper-based database service in the past, in December 2007 we decided to drastically improve it by changing from one software system to another, opting for the MovieSite programme which most of the other screen agencies now use,” explains Ed.

“We called every company and individual already listed with us and asked them to review their records and update their entries. It was good to have this contact, and I think people appreciated that we’d taken the time to talk to them personally and to let them know we are continuing to work on their behalf.

“In February we had just over 500 people registered on the Crew Database, but it’s just growing and growing, as word of mouth is playing its part and people realise that this free service is available and it may be beneficial to their future career.”

The new databases now allow individuals to view and update their details on-line, upload documents and CVs, and see the number of visitors who have viewed their details.

“One chap I spoke to recently said he’d had a call from a company in LA, who wanted a photo of the Lake District so had done an internet search for a photographer in Cumbria, and the details on our Crew Database came up,” explains Ed. “We can’t guarantee people will get work as a result of being on the database, but it certainly seems to be helping. And the more people who register, the better, as the site will become the number one place to source talent and facilities.”

And there are plans to expand industry categories even further, with animation recently added, and radio categories now being prepared. “This is an area we haven’t supported in the past, but fully intend to in the future,” adds Ed, who says categories will be promoted in Unit List style, making it easier for production managers, line producers and heads of production to navigate.

To register on the Northwest Vision and Media Crew, Facilities or Production Companies Database, simply click here