Leeds-based production company, True North Post, has chosen Newcastle for their next studio with the potential of bringing more creative jobs to the city over the coming years.
True North Post is known throughout the industry as a specialist in post-production, having delivered thousands of hours of content for the most prestigious broadcasters in the world.
Post-production facilities are where the editing, visual effects, sound design, colour grading and rendering processes can be completed and True North Post’s decision to bring this capability to Newcastle is regarded as one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle for the North East screen sector.
With 20 years of experience delivering award-winning programmes, including Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes and Help! We Bought A Village, True North Post’s commissioning clients include BBC, MTV, Discovery, Channel 4 and Sky.
Invest Newcastle, part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, has supported the company’s decision to locate in Newcastle, which was based on the potential for future growth and the presence of North East Screen, which is focused on building a sustainable infrastructure that can supply to global industry all year round, creating more jobs and providing more opportunities for people in the region to work on global content.
True North Post has been working closely with Invest Newcastle and North East Screen throughout the process and will be based in the city centre Collingwood Buildings to maintain close proximity to regional and national transport links.
Gemma Ackerley, Business Consultant, True North Post, said:
“The team are thrilled to be opening their doors in Newcastle, bringing top-tier post-production services to the region. Our focus on training and development aims to nurture local talent and create new opportunities within the vibrant North East creative community.
“We are excited to work closely with and support North East productions, providing comprehensive post-production services tailored to their unique needs. Our commitment is to enhance the region’s creative output and help bring local stories to life with exceptional quality and expertise.
“It has been fantastic partnering with North East Screen and Invest Newcastle. Their support and collaboration have been instrumental in helping us establish a strong presence in the region, and we look forward to many more successful ventures together.”
True North Post’s arrival in Newcastle comes at an exciting time for the creative industries across North East England, with the announcement of a £450 million film studio development in Sunderland, Crown Works Studios, and a three-fold increase in production over the past 12 months.
Jennifer Hartley, Director of Investment, NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), said:
“It’s been a pleasure working with True North Post helping them find the right home in Newcastle and bringing with them much-needed post-production capabilities that will enrich the creative industries ecosystem.
“Following the establishment of North East Screen Industries Partnership, and working alongside North East Screen, we now have a thriving sector and are seeing more and more TV and film productions being shot in the stunning locations our region has to offer.
“With True North Post joining us, those productions can now be brought to life locally and used to promote the outstanding natural beauty we have across the North East.”
Lisa Laws, Director of Development, North East Screen, said:
“With studio developments in the region on the horizon and an ever-increasing number of productions filming in the North East, True North Post’s arrival is a great addition to our wider post-production and supply chain network.
“It’s been a pleasure to support them with the recruitment of posts to their Newcastle office, especially given how committed they are to investing in skills development. We are thrilled to welcome them to the region.”
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, said:
“This is great news for the city and the region, coming on the back of the announcement of Crown Works film studios setting up in Sunderland, we are committed to growing the sector and the investment from True North Post is testimony to the skills, the sector, and the ambition we have here.
“The new combined authority has set out a bold ambition for the region and will unlock further opportunities for us to grow our region as a creative hub growing our reputation as an international player in the film and TV industry.”
Cabinet Member for a Thriving City at Newcastle City Council, Cllr Alex Hay, said:
“I am delighted that True North Post have decided to locate right here in our city centre.
“This vote of confidence in Newcastle as a city will create new job opportunities for our residents which complements our ambition to create an inclusive economy where everyone can have a stake in the city’s growth and success.”