Kerry Ixer
(NB Since the demise of Screen East - Kerry now works
for
Film Link.)
Back
to Norfolk Interviews
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Your role at Screeneast is Head of Locations and Inward
Investment. What does that involve exactly?
I am responsible for attracting film and television
production to film in the East of England and to spend
as much of their location budget as possible in the
local economy. I am also responsible for cultivating a
film-friendly approach to filmmakers to encourage them
to base future projects in the region. To that end we
work closely with local authorities, county councils,
location owners/managers and the filming industry to
develop a sustainable film-friendly approach to location
filming. An additional activity in recent times has been
to support the development of film/tv tourism in those
locations that have been used within popular production
which are accessible to the public. When locations and
communities appreciate the
additional benefits filming can bring both during
filming and post release, they are more inclined to be
film-friendly. This in turn encourages more productions
to film on location in areas that proactively support
filmmakers. |
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What do you think Norfolk
specifically has to offer as a film location?
A wide range of diverse locations appropriate for a
complete cross section of film genres and budgets. The
County's unique natural and built landscape is not only
attractive to filmmakers to depict Norfolk locations but
can also double for other destinations around the world.
Finally, there are experienced local crew and facilities
companies in Norfolk to provide the necessary
infrastructure productions need to film successfully on
location. |
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It seems that the county is frequently used as a
location for period/costume dramas. Do you think there's
a danger of it becoming type-cast?
No, I don't think so although with the wealth of built
heritage properties available, it is likely to remain
popular for this type of genre but there are modern
urban areas and water based as well as industrial
landscapes. As an area becomes more film-friendly its
diversity in locations becomes better known which
subsequently appeals to a wider cross section of filming
genres. |
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What economic benefits do film
makers bring to Norfolk?
During 2007/08 there was an estimated £3.8 million spent
in the local economy through location filming. |
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Are there any aspects of Norfolk which hold it back as a
film location? If so, what are Screeneast doing to
overcome these?
The perception amongst some filmmakers is that Norfolk is a
long way away and therefore expensive to film; this is
something we are working on to overcome. Another aspect
we need to work on is increasing awareness of the
benefits location filming can bring amongst hoteliers so
the filming industry are automatically offered
competitive rates for cast and crew. |
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One constant complaint about portrayals of the county in
film is that the Norfolk accent is never rendered
correctly. Even in Kingdom - which features Stephen Fry
who grew up in Norfolk - the accents are way off. Or
is it simply that casting directors can never find
actors who can do an authentic accent?
This is a difficult question to ask of someone who comes
from Essex but does not have an Essex accent, has lived
in a lot of contrasting places and picked up a little
bit from each. As such, my brother and I who were raised
in exactly the same area and went to the same schools,
have distinctly different accents. In the case of
Kingdom, the producer mentioned to me that he had been
keen to ensure the accents were reflective of the
characters each actor was playing, but despite best
endeavours he was aware the programme had received
criticism. All I can say is that by and large
film-makers endeavour to ensure authenticity and the
cast do their best to do an accent justice. What is
important from a Norfolk tourism perspective is that a
viewing audience will ultimately visit an area due to
the beauty of the landscape portrayed and most will not
notice a difference in the accents they hear during
their stay vs. those of the characters they heard on
screen several months ago. Having said that I completely
understand that to local people this type of detail is
extremely important, and that all efforts should
therefore be made to get it right.
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I know that Kingdom is due to start
filming a 3rd series this summer and The Barbarian
Princess is currently being shot at Holkham. Are there
any other projects in the pipe-line you can tell us
about?
Screen East do not discuss future projects. For example,
if 'A' listers are present filming can become compromised
by crowds so part of a film commission or screen
agency's role is to be respectful to the film crew and
the location being used by not disclosing filming
schedules in advance of a shoot. Also this approach has
a minimum impact on the location used as well as the
surrounding area and ensures that locations remain
film-friendly from an industry perspective.
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In relation to Norfolk, Stephen Fry
has said: 'Part of its beauty is the openness of the
skies and the relative emptiness of the roads and the
beaches. Obviously there's a trade off point between
making it popular and keeping its quality.' Do you
think there's any danger of it losing 'its
quality' due to too much exposure?
I don't think so at this stage. A
problem may come about if an accessible location was
ultimately used for a cult film or television programme
such as a Harry Potter production which has a
significant following, or perhaps a programme that
develops cult status. Whilst Kingdom is popular we would
do best with a lot of different types of popular
production that reflect Norfolk positively through a
range of genres. This approach spreads visitors across
the county rather than concentrating them into one area.
Also, an area's appeal in terms of 'open skies and
relative emptiness of roads and beaches' can naturally
deter the masses because of a perception of limited
things to do. Nevertheless it is something we must
remain mindful of so Norfolk continues to retain its
charm and key characteristics that are important to
local people, visitors and filmmakers alike. |
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Have you experienced any
conflicts/difficulties with local bodies or
organisations when setting up film locations in the
county?
No, not personally. |
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Film location tourism seems to be on the increase. Do
you think people actually make holiday destination
decisions based on where such-and-such a film was shot?
Research suggests they do. If you are interested you
might want to glance through the Film
Council report - the case studies make an
interesting read. |
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Do you get to meet many 'film star's in the course of
your work?
No. As an introductory agency we work with the location
managers and producers behind the scenes to source
locations, crew and facilities companies to support a
shoot. We will help facilitate by arranging recces in
the early stages particularly when there are special
affects, but once the shoot begins we are invariably
attached to another production and don't get involved
until the production has wrapped. We then link back with
the location manager or producer to confirm the shoot
days, compile a report and ensure that the value of film
production to the region is reported to the UK Film
Council. This information is then reported to the DCMS
to inform the government as to the value of filming in
the UK. As a consequence it encourages The Treasury to
offer tax incentives to overseas production companies to
film in the UK. |
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Where do you see Norfolk's future as a film location?
There are still large areas of Norfolk that are not well
known to film-makers so there is a lot of potential.
Productions are however unlikely to flock to the county
in unsustainable droves due to budget constraints. The
greater London area gets around 80% of filming in the UK
a lot of which only wants to film within the M25 or
immediately outside. Nevertheless Norfolk is becoming
more popular and will continue to attract filming as
long as it remains film-friendly. However I feel it is
remain at a manageable level of production rather than
become inflated and therefore unsustainable. |
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Finally, it's now 38 years since
Joseph Losey's The Go-Between appeared. As you know, the
novel was inspired by Norfolk and the film was shot at
Melton Constable Hall. Do you think that the time is
right for a remake - thereby highlighting all that the
county has to offer?
I'm not a film-maker but popular novels often appear on
screen in their original version followed at a later
date by a remake. I therefore hope that the opportunity
is recognised and that other popular productions will
appear on both the big and small screen illustrating the
unique qualities Norfolk has to offer to visitors and
other filmmakers. |