The TV production scene in Leeds City Region is thriving, with notable companies like True North Productions, Duck Soup, and Rollem Productions leading the charge in creating innovative and diverse content. With a blend of authentic Northern narratives and a commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices, these studios are making their mark both locally and internationally.
What is the state of TV production in Leeds City Region?
TV production in Leeds City Region is experiencing significant growth, with companies like True North Productions, Duck Soup, Northern Fortress, Wise Owl, Daisybeck Studios, Talkinglens Productions, and Rollem Productions contributing to its reputation for diverse, inclusive, and innovative television content. These companies specialize in genres ranging from factual programming to drama and are recognized for both their regional storytelling and international appeal.
Television production in Leeds City Region is undergoing a remarkable period of growth and innovation. This article will delve into several production companies that are contributing to the area’s burgeoning reputation in the TV industry.
Pioneers of the North: True North Productions
True North Productions stands as a testament to Northern England’s creative potential. Established in 2002, it has evolved into the largest independent non-scripted TV production company in the region.
- Diversity in Programming: True North’s commitment to diversity is reflected in its wide-ranging output. The company has produced series across various genres, including factual, children’s TV, and reality. This breadth of content is not only a hallmark of their portfolio but also signifies their values, which emphasize authenticity, inclusivity, and empowerment.
- Acclaimed Productions: Among its celebrated titles are ‘Animal SOS’ on BBC, ‘Yorkshire By The Sea’ on Channel 4, and ‘Teen Mom UK’ on MTV. These shows underscore the company’s adeptness at crafting long-running series that captivate audiences both in the UK and internationally.
- Strategic Growth: The acquisition of majority shares by Sky in 2017 has provided True North with an opportunity to amplify its growth aspirations, propelling its stature within the industry to even greater heights.
Celebrating Underrepresented Voices: Duck Soup
Duck Soup, nestled in the heart of Leeds, is a shining example of independent TV production done right. The company has a distinct mission to elevate the stories of underrepresented talent through impactful storytelling.
- Indie Growth Fund Support: Backed by the Channel 4 Indie Growth Fund, Duck Soup is poised to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation. This support enables them to foster and develop creative talent within the UK.
- Founders’ Vision: The trio behind Duck Soup – Bekki Wray-Rogers, Libby Durdy, and Jessica Brown Meek – have previously contributed to internationally lauded titles, such as the BAFTA-winning ‘This is England’ and the Emmy award-winning ‘Utopia’ for HBO.
- Groundbreaking Commissions: Their first BBC One and BBC iPlayer commission, ‘Lost Boys and Fairies’, reflects their commitment to producing work that challenges norms and introduces audiences to fresh narratives, in this case, centering on a gay couple’s adoption journey.
Authentic Northern Narratives: Northern Fortress
Northern Fortress is a relatively new but already award-winning grassroots production company, making waves with its dedication to telling socially-conscious stories from Northern England.
- Diversified Storytelling: Under the leadership of founder Louisa Rose Mackleston, Northern Fortress prioritizes showcasing a diverse range of voices and experiences, particularly those not typically seen in mainstream media.
- Redefining the North: The company is driven by a passion for rebranding Northern England through authentic storytelling. By allowing northerners to narrate their own experiences and filming on location, Northern Fortress ensures the authenticity of its projects is never compromised.
- Acclaimed Projects: ‘Ruth & Safiya’, a touching short film about the friendship between a Skipton pensioner and a Syrian refugee, exemplifies Northern Fortress’s commitment to bringing meaningful and regionally-rooted stories to a broader audience.
Wise Owl: Celebrating Popular Culture and Social Histories
At the forefront of championing Britain’s popular culture and social histories is Wise Owl, a multi-award-winning production company that has called Leeds its home.
- Engaging Titles: Their productions, including ‘Yorkshire Firefighters’ and ‘Second-Hand for 50 Grand’, have found popularity by delving into intriguing aspects of British life.
- Youth Division: Hoot, the youthful offshoot of Wise Owl, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creators. By providing training, confidence-building, and opportunities to pitch their ideas, Hoot is helping to secure the future of innovative content creation.
- Topical Issues: Wise Owl ensures that its content remains relevant by tackling subjects such as race, LGBTQ+ issues, and climate change, making it one of the North’s most forward-thinking digital production labels.
Daisybeck Studios: Factual Content with Heart
Daisybeck Studios, a part of the global entertainment company Entertainment One, is carving out its niche in the non-scripted programming scene from its base in Leeds.
- Prime Location: Situated at Prime Studios on Kirkstall Road, Daisybeck has access to cutting-edge production facilities that complement its mission to produce contemporary and character-driven content.
- Yorkshire Heritage: Embracing its Yorkshire roots, Daisybeck produces content that reflects the region’s spirit and heart. This is particularly evident in their renowned Channel 5 series ‘The Yorkshire Vet’, which follows the heartfelt stories of veterinarians in Thirsk.
- Global Reach: As part of Entertainment One, Daisybeck Studios benefits from a network that supports the dissemination of its content to audiences around the world, showcasing the essence of Yorkshire far and wide.
Talkinglens Productions: Crafting Stories with a Global Appeal
Talkinglens Productions is an award-winning film production company based in Leeds, esteemed for its sensitive handling of serious issues and its commitment to nurturing local talent.
- Internship Opportunities: The company is dedicated to providing internships and placements, offering invaluable industry experience to recent graduates and newcomers to the industry.
- International Collaboration: By bringing together local and international talent, Talkinglens produces feature films that resonate with audiences across the globe.
- Acclaimed Works: Their productions, such as the horror anthology ‘The Visit’ and the black comedy ‘Ask the Cheat’, have won numerous awards, cementing the company’s reputation for high-quality film production.
Rollem Productions: Championing New Talent and Compelling Drama
Rollem Productions distinguishes itself with its unique approach to TV drama, being a female-led, genuinely independent company situated in Leeds.
- Founding Legacy: Established in 2000 by the late Kay Mellor OBE, Rollem has consistently produced hit dramas, including ‘The Syndicate’ and ‘In The Club’. Their commitment to original storytelling has set them apart in the industry.
- New Voices: Rollem prides itself on discovering and promoting new writers and creative talents, thereby contributing to the vibrant and diverse cultural landscape of Yorkshire.
- Future Orientation: With a focus on delivering commissioned projects and developing fresh regional voices, Rollem Productions is set to maintain its status as a trailblazer in indie drama production in the North.
For more information on Leeds City Region’s TV production companies, visit Leeds-List, an essential guide to the city’s thriving cultural scene.
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- The TV production scene in Leeds City Region is experiencing significant growth, with companies like True North Productions and Duck Soup leading the way in innovative content creation.
- True North Productions is the largest independent non-scripted TV production company in the region, known for its diverse programming and acclaimed series.
- Duck Soup focuses on elevating underrepresented voices through impactful storytelling and has received support from the Channel 4 Indie Growth Fund for its projects.
- Northern Fortress, a grassroots production company, prioritizes authentic Northern narratives and socially-conscious storytelling.
- Rollem Productions, established by Kay Mellor OBE, champions new talent and original storytelling in the indie drama sector.