Liverpool film company creates New Crew event to help keep the city on the screen

Sisters who founded one of the city’s most respected film and TV companies have created a ‘New Crew’ event to help people get into the industry – and keep Liverpool on the screen.

Faye and Claire Newton, who have more than 40 years’ combined independent experience, set up Liverpool Locations 12 years ago and have since scouted the perfect places within the region for some of the biggest films and TV dramas.

Now they’re helping others get into the industry they love, and making sure that when top producers call, they can be sure of the city and the people in it for support.

The New Crew event will be held at Oh Me Oh My in Water Street on Thursday, October 24, and will offer those who want to get into the film and TV industry – as well as those who may want to move around within it – the chance to learn more and meet the people who can help them.

Faye explains: “It’s for people who haven’t done anything before but want to get into the industry, and for people who have perhaps done a few jobs and want to get together with people in the same situation. We have also invited a lot of industry crew as well to be there and share and spread their words of wisdom.

“So it’s a mix of new crew and experienced crew which is quite a rare thing to have them in the same space.  Normally it’s one or the other, but this is both.”

Faye and Claire held a similar New Crew event in July which was so well subscribed they were unable to include the huge numbers who wanted to attend.

This time the venue is bigger so more people can be accommodated, and there is a waiting list for the ticket-only event.

“It’s quite hard to get into this industry, it can be tricky,” admits Faye, “so this is really about meeting people in it, and getting contacts that can help you.

“We get so many emails and calls from people asking us ‘how do I get in?’.  This is one way of trying to introduce people who want to get in or move a bit further with people working in the city.

“The last one we had, there were people from Nottingham and London, all over the UK.”

Liverpool Locations have lots of partners who are getting involved in the event.

They include Panalux who supply lighting for productions, Buddha Group which provides location equipment, make-up companies, props, special effects and more, to hopefully cover as many areas and ‘get as amazing a mix as we can’. 

“It is an exciting industry and I don’t think people realise how many different job roles and departments there are that people can get into, and different ways to get into them,” says Faye.

She adds: “We’ll be advertising our location assistant course – and that’s one very good way to get in. And once you are in you can move around.

“It’s one of the biggest crew events in the city and we want to help and support new talent. There will be people there who we’ve helped and worked with over the years and they will be able to share their stories too.

“The jobs are there, so this gets people close to those who can help connect them to them.”

Claire and Faye have worked on massive blockbusters like Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, and Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, as well as hit TV dramas like Peaky Blinders, Funny Woman, Archie – the new BritBox series about the life of Cary Grant, and more recently still, This City Is Ours starring Sean Bean for the BBC.

They have also completed work on five major films and drama series’ which they can’t yet reveal.

“Liverpool is one of the busiest cities for the film and TV industry, second only to London. That’s because of the architecture, the crews, the facilities, the Liverpool Film Office, the council, and even the people of Liverpool who get excited by it and are proud of it.”

Claire adds: “Liverpool is one of the best cheat cities, it can be anywhere else in the world. And although it’s a city it’s close to beaches and mountains, so there’s so much in a small area.

“And it all comes back to the city. The industry brings in millions every year.”

The girls stress the New Crew event is a fun event with a light and welcoming vibe.

“You can come, have a drink, and spend the evening with inspiring people and good vibes.

“And don’t worry if you’re on your own, we’ll make sure we introduce you to others.”

The New Crew Event is on Thursday, October 24, from 7pm until 10.30pm. Tickets are £12 each but you need to join the waiting list to get tickets here.

For more info on Liverpool Locations click here.

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