BBC Three and BBC England have announced three new commissions in collaboration with northern independent production companies as part of their Northern Voices project.
With the aim of reflecting the life experiences of 16-24 year-olds in the region, the Factual Development Scheme invited local independent production companies to submit ideas which, if successful, would undergo development and gain a commission.
The Northern Voices collaboration furthers BBC Three’s commitment to uncover original and untold stories from exciting new voices outside of London.
BBC Three’s controller Fiona Campbell commented: “These three original commissions are exactly why it is so important for us to collaborate with BBC England and the nation’s teams. We were blown away by the ideas presented to us and we’re proud that BBC Three can be the platform to tell these stories and showcase new voices.”
Bricking It
The observational documentary series Bricking it (w/t) will follow groups of young bricklayers working on northern building sites. With each bricklayer being capable of earning up to £2,000 per week depending on how many bricks they lay, the series follows the competitive world of the different groups each trying to make as much money as possible.
Bricking It will follow the building site’s biggest characters, revealing the motivations and aspirations of the youngsters who chose to turn their hand to the trade.
The series will also show the brickies enjoying the fruits of their labours on lavish nights out, as well as revealing how such lifestyle choices can clash with their desires to get on the property ladder themselves.
With some inspiring stories, Bricking It will also show how bricklaying can help people in tough situations turn their lives around.
The series has been produced by Button Down, a York-based indie.
No More: Bad Girl
From Leeds indie ClockWork, No More: Bad Girl (w/t) will follow the Huddersfield presenter and producer Persephone Rizvi, offering a close look at the friendships that shaped her in her hometown.
Having abruptly left the town seven years ago, without explaining to some of her closest friends why, Persephone will return to Huddersfield to retrace her childhood and teenage years, and the life she left behind.
Nail Bar Boys
Nail Bar Boys follows the larger than life characters of a Liverpool nail salon: Astro, Little Kenny, Brandon, Bruno, Dragon and Big Tony.
The local celebrities all earn their keep designing nails for Liverpool’s most glamorous locals and have built a community around their salon.
The series will follow the second-generation Vietnamese lads from Manchester and Liverpool, both at work and at home, with stories about overcoming addiction and finding a girlfriend while trying to run a successful business.
The series has been produced by the Liverpool-based production company LA Factual.
