Kev
06-26-2007, 10:06 AM
LIVERPOOL has emerged as favourite to attract a new soap to replace BBC1’s Neighbours, potentially creating hundreds of new jobs in the arts sector.
Kirkdale-based film producer Colin McKeown, who worked on Coronation Street and was one of the original creators of Channel 4’s Brookside, is in detailed talks with the BBC about a pilot series for a new soap.
Recent Bafta-winning writer Jimmy McGovern is committed to the project as executive script writer/producer, and will head a team of talented local writers.
Last night, Mr McKeown, who heads LA Productions, said the proposed programme would not be a carbon-copy of Brookside, the one-time daily series produced by Mersey Television when it was headed by Phil Redmond. Mr McKeown has a working name for the show, currently under wraps, but says the storylines will prominently feature regeneration and the gentrification of Liverpool. A final decision is expected within weeks, with the first episodes scheduled for televising next summer.
Neighbours leaves the BBC next summer after a higher offer was made by Channel 5, and now a replacement is being sought for the lucrative early-evening prime spot.
Initially, the replacement programme will span a 20- week run, with episodes aired two times a week. But, if it turns out to be a hit with viewers, it is likely to be screened five days a week. If Mr McKeown wins the contracts, the aim is to shoot the scenes on location, with his base at the former St Lawrence School, in Westminster Road, Kirkdale, acting as a headquarters for the show.
“I think this is a great opportunity and we are very hopeful that we will be given the programme. It will mean a lot to Liverpool, particularly in the year that it is celebrating European Capital of Culture, to be the location of a soap that reflects the changing face of our major cities.
“It would certainly mean the recruitment of a lot of people, with lots of spin-off work in the service sector. This is a real window of opportunity for us.”
Mr McKeown, who was also behind the Liverpool One police drama, is also working on a separate project with the children’s charity Childline, tackling the issue of homophobic bullying.
“It is a very important issue affecting a growing number of children. There are some big-name people willing to participate and we are now in the process of seeking funding or sponsorship for the programme.
“We need to attract more film and programme making to Liverpool. I had been hopeful that government measures about tax-breaks for the film industry would help us on Merseyside, but it has not turned out like that.
“One of the local companies announced it was to make 10 films on the back of the tax-break policy, but only one materialised. The rules, unfortunately, changed. The tragedy is that here in Liverpool we have a huge pool of artistic and creative talent. We can only hope that Gordon Brown will react to the needs of the film industry when he becomes Prime Minister.”
Mr McKeown has been in the forefront of film and television work in Liverpool, and helped establish Liverpool Film Studio as a training arm for the sector.
He also worked on Family at War, Emmerdale, Eastenders and he helped create a soap in Kazakhstan with Tony Jordan.
A spokesman for the BBC said: “The BBC looking at a number of options to replace Neighbours. A decision has yet to be made.” source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=new-city-soap-set-to-win-major-bbc-deal%26method=full%26objectid=19356544%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)
Kirkdale-based film producer Colin McKeown, who worked on Coronation Street and was one of the original creators of Channel 4’s Brookside, is in detailed talks with the BBC about a pilot series for a new soap.
Recent Bafta-winning writer Jimmy McGovern is committed to the project as executive script writer/producer, and will head a team of talented local writers.
Last night, Mr McKeown, who heads LA Productions, said the proposed programme would not be a carbon-copy of Brookside, the one-time daily series produced by Mersey Television when it was headed by Phil Redmond. Mr McKeown has a working name for the show, currently under wraps, but says the storylines will prominently feature regeneration and the gentrification of Liverpool. A final decision is expected within weeks, with the first episodes scheduled for televising next summer.
Neighbours leaves the BBC next summer after a higher offer was made by Channel 5, and now a replacement is being sought for the lucrative early-evening prime spot.
Initially, the replacement programme will span a 20- week run, with episodes aired two times a week. But, if it turns out to be a hit with viewers, it is likely to be screened five days a week. If Mr McKeown wins the contracts, the aim is to shoot the scenes on location, with his base at the former St Lawrence School, in Westminster Road, Kirkdale, acting as a headquarters for the show.
“I think this is a great opportunity and we are very hopeful that we will be given the programme. It will mean a lot to Liverpool, particularly in the year that it is celebrating European Capital of Culture, to be the location of a soap that reflects the changing face of our major cities.
“It would certainly mean the recruitment of a lot of people, with lots of spin-off work in the service sector. This is a real window of opportunity for us.”
Mr McKeown, who was also behind the Liverpool One police drama, is also working on a separate project with the children’s charity Childline, tackling the issue of homophobic bullying.
“It is a very important issue affecting a growing number of children. There are some big-name people willing to participate and we are now in the process of seeking funding or sponsorship for the programme.
“We need to attract more film and programme making to Liverpool. I had been hopeful that government measures about tax-breaks for the film industry would help us on Merseyside, but it has not turned out like that.
“One of the local companies announced it was to make 10 films on the back of the tax-break policy, but only one materialised. The rules, unfortunately, changed. The tragedy is that here in Liverpool we have a huge pool of artistic and creative talent. We can only hope that Gordon Brown will react to the needs of the film industry when he becomes Prime Minister.”
Mr McKeown has been in the forefront of film and television work in Liverpool, and helped establish Liverpool Film Studio as a training arm for the sector.
He also worked on Family at War, Emmerdale, Eastenders and he helped create a soap in Kazakhstan with Tony Jordan.
A spokesman for the BBC said: “The BBC looking at a number of options to replace Neighbours. A decision has yet to be made.” source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=new-city-soap-set-to-win-major-bbc-deal%26method=full%26objectid=19356544%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)