00:01There's no reason why we can't make that talent here.
00:03We've got the talent, we've got some of the best camera people, soundies, set dresses,
00:08hair and makeup people, we've got some of the best in the country here.
00:11They just haven't had the opportunity for work.
00:13Yes, this will give us the studios, but then there are so many feeder industries and feeder
00:19businesses which will see such a huge, uplifting opportunity as a result of what's happening
00:23here.
00:24So yeah, as a local businesswoman, I can tell you the opportunity here is massive for our
00:28region, but as somebody in TV, it's going to be absolutely wonderful to be able to do
00:33what we do best right from the comfort of our front room pretty much.
00:36The North East is aiming to become a hub for major TV and film productions with the Crown
00:41Works Studios in Sunderland.
00:44Here's your roundup of what we know about the plans so far.
00:47A £38.5 million funding package was approved earlier in March for the Riverside Pallion
00:53site, providing public investment for the first phase.
00:56That phase will include one new super-sized film and TV studio and the refurbishment of
01:03the historic Doxford Printworks.
01:05Local leaders say that, over time, additional investment from private companies could help
01:10expand the studios and bring thousands of jobs to the region's growing creative sector.
01:15The Crown Works project was originally conceived as a 19-stage studio complex, which was projected
01:22to create 8,000 jobs across the North East. The scheme was led by production company Fulwell 73,
01:28but main investors Cain International withdrew last year, leaving the plans in question.
01:34The revised approach will be publicly funded and led by the North East Combined Authority and Sunderland
01:40City Council. The first phase includes just two buildings, a super-sized new film and television
01:46studio studio and the refurbished Doxford Printworks. Officials hope that this initial investment will
01:53attract private companies in the future to expand the site further.
01:57Mayor Kim McGuinness told the North East Combined Authority Cabinet that the Crown Works studios are
02:03included in the next BBC charter, representing a firm commitment to making film and TV in the region.
02:10She added that the region is ambitious, saying that the North East could host major shows,
02:15including Strictly Come Dancing, and that young people should grow up seeing stars working locally.
02:20We're supercharging the creative industries and making the opportunities that the people of our
02:26region deserve, whatever their background. 38 million pounds for Crown Works Studios right here on
02:33the banks of the Weir, complete by the end of next year, so we're seeing more film and TV made
02:38right here.
02:38Sunderland City Council leader Michael Mordy highlighted the potential for the Crown Works to replicate the
02:44success of the Riverside Sunderland regeneration, attracting private investment after public funding
02:50has started construction. Fullwell Entertainment's CEO Leo Perlman described the plans as an important
02:58foundation for the region.
02:59The
03:00Anna
