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Creative England

Creative England chair addresses film focus and regional concerns

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

April 11, 2011 | 4 min read

The chair of Creative England has denied that the organisation will have an overarching focus on the film industry, following responses made in relation to its first consultation in which the creative sector expressed such a concern.

The first consultation by Creative England, which will see the consolidation of a number of regional creative development bodies, is based around the body’s film related activity in 2011/2012, with a letter from chair John Newbigin highlighting concerns that have been expressed by respondents.

Newbigin admitted that a recurring concerns from many of the 500 respondents was that the organisation’s remit would have ‘too narrow’ a focus on film.

“This is emphatically not the case,” stated Newbigin. “Creative England’s remit is to support independent creative businesses, concentrating on the digital content industries, including film, and the talent that drives them.”

He continued to explain that the initial focus on film was due to around £2.5 million in funding being received from GIA and around £2 million by the Lottery from the British Film Institute which will be used to leverage additional funds from public and private sources.

“With the government’s declared ambition to see creative industries as a central element of its wider growth agenda, we are already in discussion about funding for this larger remit and, when we have confirmation on this, we will, as with film, consult with the industry to identify priorities and concerns,” he added.

He added that concerns had also been received about the three limited companies which will operate as subsidiaries – Creative North, Central and South, and their offices in Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. He explained that the decision was taken by both the Regional Screen Agency chairs and CEOs, claiming that the locations were cities that were already ‘major creative centres’ and that Creative England would look to form alliances and partnerships to offer the ‘necessary reach’ across England.

“Some submissions regret the passing of the Regional Screen Agencies (RSA) as they are presently constituted.

Creative England’s purpose is to serve the needs of industry and communities, not to perpetuate the life of particular agencies,” he continued, adding that the organisation would also be set to begin the recruitment drive for the key posts within Creative England’s operating companies which would be openly advertised, independent of the RSAs.

“With the closure of Screen East, concern has been expressed by people living and working in the former Screen East area that they are not formally represented in on-going discussions about the shape and priorities of Creative England. Temporary arrangements have been made for EM Media and Screen South to make Grant in Aid and Lottery finance and film support services available throughout the former Screen East area. In addition, Roger Morris of Elstree Studios has generously agreed to convene a group of representative industry and cultural voices who can speak for the region as plans for Creative England and its operating subsidiaries are brought together," continued Newbigin.

Creative England will be fully operational by October 2011and will aim to support the content industries of Film, Television, Games, and Digital and Creative Services.

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