North East filmmakers Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent, Game of Thrones) and Libby Walker (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) have set up a new company, based in South Shields, with the intention of producing films and television series in the region. Nana Peg Productions, named after Libby’s beloved Gran, plans to produce an ongoing slate of feature films and tv shows in the North East, potentially bringing in millions in local spending and the creation of many jobs.
Neil Marshall said:
“I’ve always felt the North East has so much to offer cinematically, from the cities to the beaches to the fells, it’s a spectacular landscape rich with history. Just look at the castles and stately homes we have in the area like Bamburgh Castle and Cragside Hall… I’ve always wanted to come back and make movies here, and both myself and Libby felt now is the right time.”
Libby Walker added:
“There is so much more to the North East than what we are currently presented with in the general media. As a working class actor continually stereotyped for my accent, I believe it’s about time that the World was given more of an authentic perspective of the region and her people.
With the creation of the new studios in Sunderland, there couldn’t be a better time to begin to drive the Film Industry to the North East, and that is exactly what we intend to do. We’re here to establish the area as a leader in Film Production, making sure the voice of the North East is not only heard but celebrated, hopefully inspiring the next generation of regional talent and providing them with the ability to consider a career in Film as a realistic choice, in whichever avenue they may choose.”
First up on Nana Peg’s roster is a project called ‘KINGS OF THE NORTH’ and will depict the famous incident of Boxing legend Muhammad Ali visiting the region in 1977 at the invitation of a local painter and decorator.
Neil Marshall said:
“I was around at the time, but I’d completely forgotten about this event until Libby reminded me. But my first thought was… that would make an incredible movie, it’s such a charming and inspiring story about people chasing their dreams. It’s a universal story.”
Fleur Costello, a fellow Northumbria University Film Studies Graduate along with Marshall who also has strong family ties to the region, is writing the script based on true events.
Next up is an action movie called ‘POUND OF FLESH’ which Marshall, who will write and direct the film, describes as – “in the spirit of classic revenge thriller Get Carter but set today and re-imagined with Jason Statham!”
Walker commented:
“We’re both incredibly passionate about our roots and are determined to showcase a diverse range of stories from the area. We want the children of the North East to be able to watch a film and be able to identify as a barrister, as a wealthy business person, as a pop star, or a political party leader and/or see names of folk they know personally in the end credits – so we’re really aiming to change the narrative on both sides of the camera. We want to normalise a life in film.”
Marshall added:
“It’s very early days…. We’re just getting started, but we have big plans for the North East, and really what we need more than anything right now is investment in the company to get the ball rolling and keep these projects moving forward.”
For investment opportunities or to enquire about any projects currently on Nana Peg’s slate you can head over to their website www.nanapeg.com
