Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
cineposium 07
CHESHIRE’S FILM OFFICER OFF TO NEW MEXICO
CHESHIRE and Warrington Film Officer, Emma Welland, will be flying to New Mexico and joining colleagues from across the world later this month, after being invited to attend the prestigious Cineposium International Conference.
“It’ll be my job to fly the flag for the Northwest, and I’ll certainly be letting as many people as possible know about the wonderful filming locations we have on offer here,” says Emma, of Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the TV, film, radio and digital content industries to grow a world-class media economy in England’s Northwest.
The Cineposium 2007 is an annual two-day event which attracts hundreds of film professionals each year. This year it’s being held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“This is the fifth year Vision and Media have been invited to send a Film Officer to the International Conference,” explains Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of Vision and Media.
“By having a representative there we’re not only able to state the case for filming in our region, but Emma will also gain invaluable insights in to new trends and practices, which she’ll bring back to her Film Office colleagues here in the Northwest,” she adds.
Vision and Media currently have eight Film Officers working across the region, in Cheshire and Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria and Lancashire. Emma has worked within the Cheshire office for 18 months, based at Warrington Borough Council’s Economic Regeneration department.
“During my time in the Film Office I’ve worked hard to get the word out that I’m here, and that I’m ready to assist with any kind of filming enquiry, from location sourcing to pinning down a particular permit or finding the perfect crew member,” Emma explains.
Her hard work is paying off. In 2006 Cheshire saw a 49% increase in the number of filming days taking place, compared to 2005 figures. In all, 52 productions came to Cheshire and Warrington last year, with film and TV production helping to generate £3.3 million worth of inward investment directly into the Cheshire and Warrington economy.
“Attracting new film and TV productions to the area is highly lucrative for the local economy,” says Emma. “That’s why it’s vital we keep on top of new trends within the industry, and attending events like the Cineposium helps us to do that.”
At this year’s event, Emma will attend tutorials on subjects ranging from the effects of digital production, to the pros and cons of offering incentives to crews.
“We’ll also be looking at ways to encourage production companies to be more environmentally friendly when they visit our locations. The whole event is about expanding your knowledge and awareness, and helping you to take your own Film Office to the next level of expertise.
“It’s going to be quite a gruelling schedule, but I’m so excited to be flying to New Mexico, and to meet up with professionals from other parts of the world who do the same sort of job that I do,” adds Emma, 29, who lives with her partner, Ben, in Macclesfield.
