Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Viewers Go Bonkers
VIEWERS GOING BONKERS!
North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media development agency for the Northwest, has been encouraging its Film Officers to go bonkers – and the tactic has paid off.
For Bonkers, ITV1's new comedy drama starring Liza Tarbuck and Mark Addy, out-performed the channel's slot average for last year, with 4.9 million viewers tuning in to its opening episode.
The Liverpool Film Office, which is funded and located within Liverpool Culture Company, played a significant role in helping to bring Bonkers to the screen, which continues with episode two this Thursday, February 8, at 9pm.
Liverpool Film Officer, Kevin Bell, explains he started working with the Liverpool-based Lime Pictures production company in the summer of 2006, sourcing locations and obtaining the relevant permissions for filming.
“The Film Offices spent around three months working with Lime Pictures’ location managers,” explains Kevin. “The bulk of filming was in Merseyside, although the close that houses the main characters’ home is in Formby.
“All of the residents living on the close, together with Sefton Borough Council, where very helpful throughout filming, and certainly made my job easier. It was a pleasure to work with them,” adds Kevin.
Written by Sally Wainwright, Bonkers tells the story of Helen who has forgotten her 20th wedding anniversary so hastily organises a party for neighbours, family and friends. But the celebration falls apart when 19-year-old Nicole arrives, complete with child, and announces she’s been having an affair with Helen’s husband, Tony.
And as an added twist to the tale, Helen’s fantasy heart-throb, Felix Nash, suddenly turns up in her living room – and Helen’s world goes completely bonkers…
“I thoroughly enjoyed the work I did on Bonkers, and watching it on screen was great – let’s hope it gets a second series!” adds Kevin.
