On Wednesday 29th March a group of production companies and freelancers met at the University Arms in Cambridge to hear from an industry panel about what opportunities there are for them in the East of England.  As a region that has had little or no support from broadcasters and few television commissions for production companies based in the region the objective was not to ‘moan’ but to identify what could be done to help win more commissions across the region. 

On the panel were Brian Woods from True Vision, now with a base in Cambridge as well as London and Leeds, Chris Curley from Pact the new head of Nations and Regions and Sarah Joyce Head of Unscripted and Children’s TV for ScreenSkills.  What followed was an open discussion with Brian, as a successful producer, explaining the importance of relationships and access which has helped to sustain regular commissions, Chris is pushing ahead to give the East of England it’s own identity within Pact, rather than lumping it together with the Midlands and Sarah was able to offer training funds and opportunities for all stages of your career. 

RTS East and Pact are going to host these meetings every 3 months between Cambridge and Norwich, with one of the clear messages from the audience that we need face to face commissioning meetings again – surely Cambridge is not too far for them to come?