We recently had the pleasure of hosting Hayley Armstrong, who gave an enlightening presentation on the current state and future prospects of the UK's screen industries at our "Moving on: Solent Screen Industries Cluster Meeting" sponsored by Creative Network South and hosted by Fareham College.

Hayley began by taking us on a journey through the last five years. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the screen sector has shown remarkable resilience. After a brief hiatus in 2020, the industry bounced back with rigorous safety protocols, breaking records in TV and film production in 2021 and 2022. While the recent US strikes have put some projects on hold, Hayley assured us that the industry is gearing up for another surge in production.

One of the most striking points was the economic value that the screen sector brings. In 2022 alone, high-end TV and inward investment films accounted for 86% of production spend. Hayley showcased how productions have a ripple effect on local economies, through all business sectors and the local economic impact is substantial.  Hayley emphasized that with Filming in England’s support, local authorities have the tools to measure and communicate this economic value, through the recently published Local Economic Impact Toolkit.

For those of us in the Solent region, the news is even more exciting. We are ideally located within the London South East production hub near all the major studios, making this area a hotspot for creative endeavours.

Hayley also touched on the broader value of the screen sector in job creation. The industry has no greater priority than building a diverse workforce that includes not just actors and directors but also accountants, carpenters, and many other roles. This aligns perfectly with today's priority of creating a more inclusive and robust job market.

Productions don't just bring in money; they also offer community engagement and infrastructure development. From local residents appearing as extras to schools receiving donations, the impact on local communities is significant. Major players like Amazon, Apple, and Disney now have permanent bases in the UK, further solidifying the industry's growth.

Hayley concluded her presentation by outlining the support available to local authorities. From toolkits to annual events like the Film in England Summit, there are numerous resources to help local authorities attract and manage filming projects effectively.

Hayley's presentation was a treasure trove of insights and data that paints a promising picture of the UK's creative industries. As we look forward to 2024, there's a sense of optimism and anticipation for what's to come. Whether you're a filmmaker, a local authority, or someone interested in the creative sector, now is the time to get involved.

You can discover the impact of the screen sector with Filming in England’s Local Economic Impact Toolkit accessible at www.filminginengland.co.uk/local-economic-impact-toolkit/

Thank you, Hayley, for such an enlightening talk, and we look forward to seeing everyone at our next event!

DOWNLOAD HAYLEY'S PRESENTATION PDF

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Interested in learning more about the creative sector and how you can be a part of it? Stay tuned for our upcoming events and resources. Feel free to reach out to us at Creative Network South for more information.

Best regards,

The Creative Network South Team