The rise of regional filmmaking: production companies outside of London

London has been the location for iconic films for as long as the industry has
existed: from the empty streets of 28 Days Later to the romantic setting of
Notting Hill, the UK’s capital has provided a backdrop to some of cinema’s most
beloved scenes. But the concentration of opportunities in London has
historically led to regional voices being neglected. Since the beginning of the
21st century, voices from outside of London have begun to be uplifted in film
and TV.

In October 2018, Channel 4 announced that their headquarters were moving to
Leeds, launching its official Leeds office a year later. This marks a growing trend
of filmmaking moving outside of London, opening up jobs and opportunities
across the UK.

As well as this major achievement for West Yorkshire acting opportunities, there
are indie production companies all across the country waiting to discover new
talent. With the varied visual landscapes and regional diversities, the UK is
becoming a powerhouse for independent filmmaking focused outside of just
the capital: we have explored some of these below.

Holmfirth Studios – Holmfirth
Although the expansion of the film industry outside of London has grown
exponentially in the last decade, West Yorkshire has always been home to
studios. The small town of Holmfirth was home to one the UK’s first film studios,
opened all the way back in 1913. From 1913-1915 the studio produced over fifty
silent films, relying on locals who acted in these pictures. The building now lies
empty, but still serves as a reminder of West Yorkshire’s early contributions to
the film industry.
Duck Soup - Leeds
Over a century later, Duck Soup Films was set up in Leeds, West Yorkshire, by
producers Bekki Wray-Rogers, Libby Durdy, and Jessica Brown Meek. The three
have previously worked on award winning shows like This is England and Utopia.
The company combines the expertise of these three women, working with BBC
and Channel 4 studios to champion Yorkshire voices. Their projects include
BBC1’s Lost Boys and Faries, and Channel 4’s Dreamers. Dreamers was filmed in
and around Leeds, and provided 10 jobs to locals with no previous production
experience. This vibrant, diverse production has opened to doors to upcoming
producers, proving that you don’t need to live in the capital to access
opportunities.
AbbottVision – Manchester
AbbottVision was founded by Paul Abbott in 2008, best known for creating the
black comedy series Shameless. His writing has always aimed to give a voice to
the working class, a theme which has continued throughout AbbotVision
productions. The creation of their dramas revolves around the Writer’s Studio, a
typically American way of writing where an entire team stays together while
story lining and writing. This collaboration cements AbbottVision as a drama
powerhouse, bringing Hollywood-style production to Manchester.
Warp Films – Sheffield
Sheffield-based Warp Films pride themselves on their Yorkshire roots and
distinctly British voice. Their most recent project was the highly successful
Adolescence, nominated for 13 Emmys. Newcomer Owen Cooper, who played
Jamie, has been nominated for best supporting actor – the producers were clear
on casting an unknown Northern actor for the role. This project was especially
exciting for us here at IPM, as some of our team made their TV debut!
Meerkat Films – Newcastle
Launched in 2006, Newcastle-based Meerkat films was set up by Magnus
Dennison and Katja Roberts. The two are passionate about showing the
typically under-represented North East in all its glory, prioritising projects which
inspire social change. Their short film Ruby explores themes of adventure and
coercion, proving that hard-hitting narratives don’t need to be confined to
longer form dramas. Meerkat films also produces documentaries focusing on
the rich history of the North East, from Hadrian’s Wall to Newcastle’s role in the
swinging sixties movement. Their spotlight on local stories is inspiring to young
filmmakers from the area, giving Geordies a space to find their voice.
Lime Pictures – Liverpool
Lime Pictures has worked on projects across all formats: soaps, TV dramas,
documentaries, kids shows, and even reality TV. Hollyoaks, their long-running
soap, is filmed at the Lime Pictures studios in Liverpool, creating both acting
and production jobs for locals. They have recently worked with Netflix to create
Zero Chill, a children’s TV programme following a young figure skater. Filming
took place in and around Sheffield, expanding Lime Pictures influence from
Liverpool to further across Northern England.
EQ Films – Norwich
EQ Films is primarily based in Norwich, with links to the US and Australia. They
mainly work within sci-fi and horror, genres which are associated with big-
budget Hollywood studios – aspiring filmmakers interested in these types of
stories may be pleased to know that you don’t need to fly to LA to create a great
sci-fi film. Their supernatural thriller, Evil Never Dies, is set in Norfolk. The flat
marshland is the perfect setting for a disturbing story, utilising the UK’s diverse
landscape and the geographical isolation of Norfolk.
Mockingbird Film Co – Birmingham
Birmingham is increasingly becoming a significant location in film and TV
production, and Mockingbird is just one example of the many production
companies within and around the city. Their works are often gritty social
dramas, but have also expanded into comedy, horror, and period pieces.
Mockingbird is not just limited to feature film: they have worked on shorts,
scripted TV, documentaries, and music videos. This array of formats opens up
the doors to young filmmakers and actors who are interested in the industry
beyond just feature film.
Hurricane Films – Liverpool
In 2000, Roy Boulter and Solon Popadopoulos founded Hurricane Films. Their
early productions focused on social problems in the Liverpool area, with 2006’s
Under the Mud gaining critical acclaim for its blend of social realism and fantasy.
The film is notable for its production, where the directors visited a working-class
area of Liverpool and enlisted local teenagers to write the script based on their
own lives. Their most recent film, The Last Bus, follows an elderly widower on a
road trip, utilising the diverse scenery of the UK.
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The success of these companies show us that there are plenty of opportunities
existing outside of London – there is a space for regional voices in film and TV,
and the recent success of Adolescence shows the demand for stories set in the
North. Using your local area as a backdrop for a story can create some of the
most unique, personal narratives, expanding audience horizons beyond what is
usually show onscreen.
Don’t be put off by the idea that everything happens in London – there’s always
more happening in your local area than you would expect.

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Author

Lily Pierce