BBC DRAMA “ABSOLUTELY VITAL” TO BRUM

22-01-2008

Birmingham’s PR boss has warned its “absolutely vital” the BBC keeps making drama in the city. His comments come as local film executives head to Manchester to confront the Corporation’s Director General Mark Thompson over his plans to downgrade the Second City’s TV output.

As The Stirrer revealed in the Birmingham Mail last week, BBC insiders believe the Drama Village in Selly Oak has been earmarked for closure following a decision – yet to be confirmed – that production of “Doctors” will be switched to the new Media City in Salford (see link here).

Neil Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham, was shocked by the proposals, and said, “It’s absolutely vital that we have film and television made here.

“It’s not just about the jobs that might be lost in the industry, although that’s obviously important. It’s also about perceptions of the place, which are still hugely out of date.

“There’s still a huge misunderstanding about what the city looks like whereas cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow are seen more often and don’t have that problem.

“I’d be very worried if the commitment to making drama by the BBC was reduced.”

Meanwhile Suzie Norton, chief exec of Screen WM will be leading a delegation (with reps from Advantage West Midlands) to Mark Thompson’s Media City launch today.

She’s willing to be the party pooper, asking difficult questions.

“There are obviously very serious questions about the future of the BBC’s TV production” Norton said.

“The Asian Unit has lost it’s production guarantees and now there’s this threat to drama. But the BBC has a clear charter commitment to diversity and the regions.

“We want a clear commitment to Birmingham from Mark Thompson.”