Revolutionising the Film Scene
BCP Council’s Film Office is proudly launching with the goal of showcasing Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole’s unique qualities to a global audience.
Bournemouth has come a long way since the 1800s when it was regarded as a simple spa town. Together with the neighbouring towns of Poole and Christchurch, it provides the perfect balance between economic prosperity and lifestyle. Often compared to California for its beautiful light and creative vibe, you can understand why locals love living in the area and why creatives are drawn to the region.
There are 15 miles of award-winning beaches nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line. The bay even enjoys its own micro-climate, with some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK, and stunning uninterrupted views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks.
The rich literary heritage is evident and provides the perfect foundations for writers and filmmakers. Historically, it’s a place where many have chosen to settle to find inspiration, from Thomas Hardy and his reference to Bournemouth as ‘Sandbourne’ in Tess of the d'Urbervilles, to Robert Louis Stevenson publishing several works including A Child’s Garden of Verses and Jekyll and Hyde during his residence in Westbourne, and gothic novelist Mary Shelley, best known for Frankenstein, calling the area home and being buried in the graveyard of St Peter’s Church.
With a backdrop of creative talent, the BCP area has proven to be a vibrant location for the film industry. Productions include TV shows, films, and commercials. Notably, Netflix’s Sandman series filmed at Sandbanks, one of the many Blue Flag beaches, and the first episode of The Durrells was filmed in Bournemouth, with the pier prominent in the initial scenes. Launching BCP’s Film Office is the natural next step, as the region offers a diverse range of settings for filmmakers for both domestic and international productions. From Highcliffe Castle with its gothic revival features to the famous chines that cut into the cliff face, offering shaded paths and a tropical garden. And yes, we also have industrial estates, hotels, and shopping centres available for a more modern setting.
Businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are diverse, ranging from financial services to engineering and creative digital technology. The latter includes a strong mix of companies dedicated to the film, gaming, and television industries. Some started their businesses in the area, while others have chosen the community and lifestyle in a move away from larger cities, realising they can put their pen (or camera) down and be on their paddleboard within a few minutes at the end of a working day. Communities have developed around these businesses, notably ‘You Are The Media’, which originated from an idea by Poole-born Mark Masters and has become a thriving network of creatives, primarily in the written word but increasingly diverse. Additionally, Silicon South is well-known for offering various services to the creative digital community and hosting the renowned ‘Speak Easy’ get-togethers.
Cllr Rich Herrett commented, “Our area is already a fantastic film-friendly location with huge potential for growth. The new BCP Film Office will encourage further investment in the area, not only providing opportunities in the film industry but also building on destination tourism opportunities for the benefit of our residents and businesses.”
In the BCP area, the Creative Digital Tech industry accounts for approximately 12,500 employed (7% of total BCP employment). Areas of expertise include digital products and app creation, visual effects and post-production, gaming, animation, digital agencies, the Internet of Things, and big data. Businesses based in the area include Outpost VFX, Treehouse Digital, White Lantern, Nelson Nutmeg Features, and Pop Paper City.
Newly emerging skills areas such as 3D/CGI and AR/VR are now being used beyond the world of entertainment in a range of areas – from redefining high streets to healthcare simulation. Therefore, while the focus of the Film Office is to attract further production into the BCP area, other outcomes will include the growth of the creative digital sector more widely, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce with talent that can span entertainment as well as other sectors.
The launch of the BCP Film Office enhances Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole’s reputation as a premier filming location (as well as a hub of tech expertise) and provides locals with another reason to be proud of their home.
Website → bcpfilmoffice.co.uk
