AN award-winning team of filmmakers have launched plans to create a new production studio in South Tyneside.

Film, television, and branded content company, Red Stamp Productions, has secured funding to create a new studio at their Beach Road base, in South Shields.

And in more good news, the firm was selected as one of 10 firms to represent the UK at the Asian TV Forum and Market event in Singapore - a prestigious three-day conference on Tuesday (December 3), which provides global networking opportunities for the film and TV industry.

Red Stamp, which often focuses on telling stories about the North East, has grown since co-founders Connor Langley and Michael Lambert formed the company.

The latest £30,000 grant from Innovate UK will fund the new post-production studio, with Red Stamp also receiving support from South Tyneside Council, as the company bids to create jobs in the borough.

"Of course, we’ll be using it for our own stuff, but it also opens the door to other people and firms looking for somewhere in the region to work on their films too," said Connor.

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“There is so much going on in the region at the moment, with Crown Works Studios progressing in Sunderland and The Northern Studios in Hartlepool, it feels like a really exciting time to be a filmmaker in the North East and it’s about time too.”

Having graduated from Sunderland University, Connor had to leave the region to gain experience and get a toehold in the TV and film production industry.

He said: “One of the things we’re really passionate about is creating opportunities for North East people that we didn’t have. There’s no reason why young filmmakers should be leaving the region to get jobs in the film and TV industry – there should be openings here in our region and this new studio will allow us to recruit new staff and have the technology here on hand for them to learn the trade.

“In this industry, you accept that there is likely to be a great deal of travel, as projects can take you all over the world, but there is no reason whatsoever why the post production work can’t be done here and we can help create a regional skills base that will allow us to take full advantage of the incredible opportunities that will arrive with Crown Works.”

Having secured new camera equipment just over a year ago and recently completing filming duties on a new film focusing on a local man with severe physical disabilities competing in his first surfing championships, Connor is excited about the future for Red Stamp.

He added: “We’re by far the smallest company in the UK delegation heading to the Asian TV Forum and Market event, but that’s really pleasing and shows that what we are doing and what we are passionate about is getting noticed.

“Securing a spot at this event is incredible and in an ideal world it would be amazing to come home having secured funding for one of our projects, but even if that weren’t to happen, the opportunity to make contacts in this enormous market and meet with major decision makers is huge for Red Stamp.”

Work begins on the new studio in the coming weeks, as Connor and Michael work on finishing up several projects.

Cllr Margaret Meling, lead member for economic growth and transport at South Tyneside Council said: “Red Stamp Productions are part of the fabric of the borough’s creative business community and the company’s reputation is growing by the day.

“As a film friendly Council, it’s a real pleasure to play a role in their development, and I’m sure the creation of the new studio will be a genuine boon not just for Connor and Michael, but the wider filmmaking community.”

South Tyneside Council is working to make the borough film friendly. The Council has signed the Film Friendly Charter with North East Screen and supports the region's TV and Film production industry as part of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP).