A Sunderland media graduate is celebrating the successful shoot of a brand new comedy short film set in the North East.
Aman Sharma, co-founder of Northern Bear Films, a new Media Production company based at the University of Sunderland, made this happen by successfully bidding for £5,000 of funding from the British Film Institute (BFI).
The film, entitled ‘The National Phobia Associations Day Out’ is a 15-minute comedy. It was delivered for Creative England and shot entirely on location in Sunderland, Northumberland and Newcastle Quayside. It is expected to delivered later this month (July).
Written by Mark Drake, whose directing credits include, Great British Bake off (Sports Relief) and Fearne and ....MCBusted (ITV), the film tells the story of David Bowie’s greatest fan who, in a desperate bid to get to his final concert having missed her own bus, lies her way on to The National Phobia Association’s private coach as they set off on their annual day out.
The film stars Lucy Porter (Nevermind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week) and a host of other stars of the small and big screen, along with a vintage bus and an afghan hound from Sunderland.
Speaking about the production and what it is like to work in the industry, Aman, who recently graduated from the University of Sunderland, said: “It’s tough being a producer and tougher to crack in this industry, however, having organisations like BFI & Creative England behind you really helps.
“I think an initiative like this helps bring new talent to the forefront and that is a great thing.”
This is the first production of its kind for new company Northern Bear Films, which also offers a commercial media production service.
Northern Bear Films received support from The Enterprise Place, a dedicated facility at the University of Sunderland for students and graduates setting up their own business.
University Business Development Manager Vince Robson said, “Aman and the team worked really hard to put this production together, managing finance, people, resources and even an Afghan hound!
“We can’t wait to see the finished article.”
For further information on the range of support available The Enterprise Place go towww.sunderland.ac.uk/enterpriseplace or email enterprise@sunderland.ac.uk
The Enterprise Place Project project has received support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007-2013.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding