PGGB Holds Panel Session and Evening of Networking in Manchester's Space Studios

Yet another testament to the vibrancy of the region’s film and HETV sector, House of Guinness was filmed primarily in the North West, with significant filming taking place in Salford, Stockport and Liverpool, as well as here in Manchester – from the Northern Quarter to Heaton Hall and Ancoats.

The city’s Space Studios, our venue and partner this evening, hosted production for 35 weeks, building a range of sets including the ballroom, the docks office, and the boarding house while cast and crew also used dressing rooms, unit bases, workshops, and production offices.

PGGB’s CEO Kaye Elliott hosted our panel on stage at the studios, featuring Space Studios manager Dean Sinacola, and three of the production crew on House of Guinness: Financial Controller Gay Anderson, Supervising Location Manager Dan Connolly and Line Producer Andy Kitching.

The four discussed everything from location doubling to sustainability in a wide-ranging and insightful discussion on production in the region.

“Locations are brilliant here. Replications are very good” says Dan “Between Liverpool and Manchester, I knew I could find the world of Dublin in 1865.” 

The fluctuations in production remain a concern here, as they do everywhere in the UK. “Last year was our busiest year in 10 years,” said Dean. “But this year has been a funny one. We keep having to move the goalposts and get creative on how we use the stages.”

Manchester does have a huge attraction when it comes to budgeting – cost.

“Everything here is much cheaper than London – taxis, accommodation, location facilities – right across the board” says Gay. “When producers are collating budgets, this definitely plays a part.” 

The panel agree that more funding is needed, however, to take the next steps in the region.

“Manchester doesn’t get the screen funding that other cities – Liverpool, Belfast - get,” said Andy. “This is really need to help the North West move to the next level.”

The panel was followed by a networking reception, as we welcomed industry partners and friends from the region for a few on-topic pints of Guinness and brilliant conversation!

We look forward to watching this next phase in the development of the North West as a production location – if the next 5 years are anything like the last few, it’s going to be tremendously exciting. We can’t wait to come back!

Huge thanks to Netflix, Panavision and Space Studios for sponsoring this event.