By Nick Turner

Published at 07:41, Monday, 07 January 2013

Cumbria’s creative companies could get the chance to work on TV dramas through an event being organised in Manchester next month.

They are being offered the chance to take part in a two day event in Manchester that will include a visit to MediaCity and networking opportunities to meet with executives from the BBC, ITV and a visiting Canadian media delegation.

The Cumbrian delegation to the February event is being organised by Invest in Cumbria and will include one session looking at the procurement process in the BBC and ITV and one-to-one meeting with senior media buyers.

The visit is part of Invest in Cumbria strategy of supporting development of the creative and media sector in the county and fostering links with BBC new base at MediaCity in Salford.

Invest in Cumbria is also planning to hold an event in South Cumbria before April this year, inviting companies such as the BBC, ITV and BT to speak to Cumbrian companies about how they can secure work from the the large national players.

Details of the two day programme in Manchester on February 6th and 7th are:

Session 1 - Co-Production Panel Session at (University of Salford Building) Media City, Salford, followed by networking Drinks, on Wednesday 6th February, 14:30 – 17:00

It will focus on the production scene in the North of England, focusing on scripted drama. The event will look at financing drama projects out of the UK, and industry support in the North of England, looking at the recently launched Yorkshire Content Fund (administered by Screen Yorkshire) and practical assistance and support delivered by Creative England.

UK Panellists will include; Kaye Elliot & Caroline Cooper-Charles – Creative England, Hugo Heppell – Head of Production, Screen Yorkshire, Andrew Baker, Rights TV/Compact Media Group.

The event will look at examples of Canada-UK Television Coproductions such as the Titanic and The Tudors and the province of British Columbia’s attractive tax incentives and world-class production infrastructure.

This session is ideal for experienced production companies, writers, directors, media law firms, talent agents and casting directors.

Session 2 - Match making pre-arranged one-to-one meetings at Media City, Salford on Thursday 6th Feb.

This session will be ideal for mid-senior level broadcast content producers (ideally specifically in scripted drama if they wish to be involved in the Canadian activities) who have already produced and supplied UK broadcasters and will have programmes in development which have appeal to an international audience.

Cumbrian writers and directors in Cumbria will be able to explore opportunities for TV drama projects.

Invest in Cumbria will have to profile companies to arrange suitable meetings for this session.

Further information: Martyn Staveley, Invest in Cumbria, 01768 895350 or martyns@investincumbria.co.uk. There will be a workshop on January 18th to give more information about the Manchester trip.

Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com