It is a great credit to the creative sector in the UK, film TV, music and gaming that it is booming. The boom is benefitting areas across the UK, and in particular the North of England.
In December 2016 alone the Film sector alone accounted for nearly half of all the growth in the UK services sector, and brought £1.35bn in inward investment from mainly US studios. 36 high end TV series were made in the UK during 2016 with budgets of at least £1m per episode, these are down to the UK’s facilities, locations and studios, on and off screen talent and tax breaks. The importance of the nations and regions is growing for TV production with over 39% of UK commission spend out of London, with the bulk of these commissions coming from the BBC and Channel 4. There are important regional hubs making great programmes such as This is England ’90, Sherlock, the A Word, National Treasure, Snatch, Cold Feet, Call the Midwife, Victoria and films using locations around the UK, such as Fantastic Beasts in Liverpool.
The North of England, both the North East and North West has a great range of locations from Stately Homes and Castles, beautiful countryside, lakes, coast and mountains. It also has a growing amount of studio space and a local political will, with proactive Councils, film units and bodies including Screen Yorkshire, The Liverpool Film Unit and Creative England providing support for those wishing to film and promoting their regions around the world.
With some London studios falling into the hands of developers because of the demand for housing the future is looking very bright to the creative hubs in the North, the creative Northern Powerhouse looks set to continue to prosper.
Mad Dog 2020 is one of the leading agencies supplying extras around the UK, and one of the only agencies to have offices in London, Cardiff and Manchester as well as strong books across England, Wales and Scotland. Casting extras since 1999 Mad Dog 2020s credits include, Fantastic Beasts, Skyfall, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tarzan, Trainspotting and forthcoming The Legend of King Arthur.
Mad Dog 2020 are looking for people to join them as extras. We encourage applications from a wide range of people around the UK. Currently we are registering artists in the North West and North East of England. To apply click here.