Screen Suffolk announces regional filming stats
.jpg)
Screen Suffolk has announced that it has hit 1200 recorded filming days, a 500% increase on the total before the regional film office was established in 2016.
With an estimated £13,500 daily economic benefit from filming, this equates to more than £16m since 2016, a significant boost to local suppliers, hospitality and retail.
Operations and business development manager Rachel Aldridge said “We love productions coming into the county and using all the locations we have to offer. 2023 has seen some amazing shows across all the major streaming and TV channels. This year we’ve had major series and features shot in Suffolk on BBC1, Netflix, Amazon and Disney+.”
The Strays filming at Kersey
Karen Everett, managing director, said: “The foresight of the councils to set up a Film Office in 2016 was ahead of the curve and our experience in managing 14 boroughs in London has enabled us to constantly grow the offering in Suffolk.
“All the team at Screen Suffolk live in the county and this enables us to have a wealth of local knowledge on how to entice productions in. Many other regions are now emulating our success and are also seeing the benefits of this type of service in both economic and local employment terms.”
Local backdrops that have been showcased include Suffolk County Council’s Endeavour House, which doubles for a London building; it has also been featured in The Detectorists and One Ranger. The film office also represents organisations and private landowners including Suffolk Wildlife Trust, with whom they worked with closely when Ed Sheeran shot a number of videos along the coast.
Ed Sheeran, Cornhill
Other scripted productions to have filmed in Suffolk recently include Netflix’ The Strays, that used Lavenham and Kersey; Magpie Murders (Kersey) and Netflix drama Joy, starring Bill Nights, James Norton and Thomasin Mackenzie.
Amazon’s The Power was the largest incoming production to date for Screen Suffolk – the production team spent five months in a field in Bawdsey creating a huge set for the convent scenes.
Aldridge said of the streamer's location choice: “After the many months of prep and then filming, it was wonderful to see the Suffolk coastline in this High End TV show, as well as giving opportunities to local cast and crew.
"Suffolk based suppliers benefited massively with the production using local companies for facilities, power, cleaning and accommodation. We estimate that The Power took 12,000 hotel nights during the period they were here.”
One Ranger filming
All images credit Screen Suffolk.
Also on The Knowledge
BAFTA awards £125,000 in grants to 69 creatives
BAFTA has awarded grants to emerging creatives from low socio-economic backgrounds across the four UK nations.
Studios Spotlight – OMA V Film Studios
The latest in our Studios Spotlight is OMA V, due to be fully open at the end of this month in Radlett, Hertfordshire. We speak to Location Collective MD Becky Butler about the new 100,000 sq ft, three-stage facility, the company’s studio portfolio and the plans for the future.
Final series of Vera begins filming
Filming has begun on Series 14 of Silverprint Pictures’ crime drama Vera, as ITV confirmed it will be the final run.
Climate Spring’s development lab returns
Climate Spring’s The Hot House development lab is returning, with screenwriters encouraged to craft “stories of the climate transition.”
Sustainability system launches with new Sky comedy
With sustainability at the top of the agenda for production, managing the eco credentials of your film or TV project is becoming more important every day.
Emma Thompson, Ruth Wilson to star in Mick Herron drama for Apple TV+
Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson will star in Down Cemetery Road, based on the book by Slow Horses author Mick Herron, for Apple TV+.
