FACILTIES FRIDAY: BRIDGING THE GAP

#FacilitiesFriday stops at Notorious DIT, the nationally recognised DIT organisation strengthening its presence in Liverpool while helping develop the next generation of industry talent. 

Founded in Newcastle, the company has been providing Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) and dailies services for productions across the UK and internationally since 2015. Its roots go back even further however, with founder Michael Pentney launching a sister post-production company in 2010 and becoming the first in the North East to offer dedicated DIT services during the industry’s shift to digital filmmaking. 

Today, Notorious DIT operates from offices in Liverpool, Glasgow and London, and recently joined the Molinare Creative Group as part of its continued growth. But despite expanding nationally and internationally, the company says supporting regional production remains central to its approach. 

“One of the things we always try to do is if we have a production that isn’t in London, we will always try to source local staff,” Karla from Notorious explained. “We recognise concerns across the nations and regions that work can feel overly concentrated in London, and we are actively working to ensure a more balance and inclusive approach” 

Liverpool became a natural choice for a permanent base as production activity in the region increased. The company already had DITs working regularly in the city and wanted a local hub that could support both on-set work and lab operations. “Although the DITs are quite often out on set, there’s another part of the process which is the lab part, and that generally requires a local office,” they said. 

The company’s Liverpool credits include Untold: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul and Dexter Proctor, while its lab continues to support productions across the wider UK. 

Alongside work in the North West, Notorious DIT reach also takes them internationally, with recent projects taking staff to Ibiza and Malta. One recent standout production for the team was The Magic Faraway Tree, recently showing in cinemas. 

As the company continues to expand, developing new talent remains a key priority. Notorious DIT runs a six-month in-house training programme giving new entrants experience across the kit room, lab processes, and on-set data wrangling before progressing onto larger productions. “One of the things that Notorious have been incredibly good at in the past is growing talent,” say Karla. 

For those looking to enter the industry, the company recommends seeking trainee DIT or lab roles and taking advantage of training schemes wherever possible. 

For the team, DIT work offers crucial and unique role in the filmmaking process, sitting between production and post-production. “You get to work with the post house, but you’re also working at the front end with production,” they explained. “It’s the bridge between the two.” 

With a growing presence in Liverpool and an expanding portfolio of work across the UK and internationally, Notorious DIT continues to combine technical expertise with a strong commitment to regional talent development. Through investment in local crew, training opportunities and production infrastructure, the company is helping support the long-term growth of the screen industry both within the region and beyond. 

CREWSDAY: ACTION Trainee Michael talks seizing opportunity in the camera department

We recently spoke to our ACTION! trainee Michael as he talks us through his role in the camera department, his journey to get here, his drive to seize opportunities supported by the film office and how he is able to learn from his mistakes to further establish himself in the industry. Well done Michael!

WFTV: HANNAH ROBINSON

Continuing casting a spotlight on this year’s Women in Film and Television (WFTV) Four Nations Mentoring Scheme North of England cohort, we talked to Hannah Robinson, a Prescot raised production development producer whose career so far sits at the intersection of storytelling, sport, and cutting-edge screen technology.  

WFTV: HELEN BLAKEMAN

For this year’s Women in Film and TV (WFTV) Four Nations Mentoring Scheme North of England cohort, we spotlight Liverpool-born screenwriter, playwright and producer Helen Blakeman.

WEDNESDAY WHEREABOUTS: KNOWSLEY HALL

This month’s Wednesday Whereabouts looks at one of Liverpool City Region’s finest homes and grandest filming locations, Knowsley Hall.  

CREWSDAY: ACTION! Trainee Holly talks first experience in the screen industry

We recently spoke to our ACTION! trainee Holly on set as she talks us through what it takes to work in the busy world of a production’s AD department and how our crew development programme has given her the opportunity to take her first steps in the screen industry.

FACILTIES FRIDAY: BUILDING A WORLD OF SOUND

Tucked away on a quiet residential street in Formby, BHP Sound Post is making waves in the world of sound. 

First look at Liverpool-produced ‘Amazing Grace’ with worldwide sales onboarded by Screenbound

Starring Hannah Walters (Boiling Point; A Thousand Blows; EMMY winning and BAFTA nominated Adolescence), alongside scouser Daniel P. Lewis (Our Kid) as Walter, a man on the brink of suicide and deeply isolated who forms an unexpected bond with a crisis helpline volunteer who helps him confront the childhood abuse, addiction, and shame he has spent a lifetime trying to survive.

Directed by Ruth Carney (Shetland; Brassic) in her feature directorial debut and also written and produced by Daniel P. Lewis, Amazing Grace combines raw social realism with a restrained cinematic style, aiming to present an honest and human portrayal of emotional struggle, while ultimately offering a message of hope. Daniel has expressed how it was “really important that the film didn’t sugarcoat anything. I didn’t want to soften the edges or make it more palatable than it is. At the same time, I didn’t want to glamorise struggle either. It’s ongoing. It’s messy. It’s complicated. But within that, there are moments, sometimes very small moments, that can shift everything. That’s what I wanted to capture.”

Shot across 11 days, this British independent feature showcases the breadth of talent the sector is cultivating and the stories it can explore. Having been cast following a social media introduction, Hannah Walters has remarked on the importance of independent films “to make social commentary and by doing that they are raising a mirror to society on the issues that ordinarily you probably wouldn’t see in more financed films, but I think the subject matters that can be shown in independent films are a lot more socially grounded, in realism, in truth, in issues that are really relatable to a lot of people.”

Scouse talent joins the screen alongside Walters and Lewis, with the film featuring the BAFTA nominated duo James Nelson-Joyce (This City Is Ours; A Thousand Blows) and Sonny Walker (The Gathering; Legends), as well as Connor McIntyre, plus BAFTA Winner Chanel Cresswell (This Is England; The Gentleman) and Angela Lonsdale.

Produced by Daniel.P.Lewis, alongside Carley Armstrong with Shaun Robinson and Colin Cromby of Keystone Pictures and executive producers Dawn Tolcher and Sean O’Neil of Eryr Film.

FACILTIES FRIDAY: EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THE RESCUE!

Tucked away across a four-and-a-half-acre site in Secombe, Emergency Services Training Centre is not your standard production facility…

WEDNESDAY WHEREABOUTS: FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY

Wednesday Whereabouts returns, and it’s high time we dived into the world‑famous Mersey Ferries and their deep links to our region’s screen industry…

CREWSDAY TUESDAY: FEEDING THE SCREEN

Jo Fahy, head of Northern Food Stylist works at the point where food becomes storytelling. A self‑described member of “a bit of a hidden tribe,” she is a home economist, a role that quietly shapes the look, feel and authenticity of film and TV.

Play For Today returns to Merseyside!

Casting and episode details have been revealed for the second season of Channel 5’s returning anthology series, set to bring a strong Scouse flavour to screens once again with Liverpool’s LA Productions and LA Post producing and editing three of the season’s six episodes

Closing Time (w/t) follows Mo; played by Antonio Aakeel (Slow Horses, Sherlock & Daughter) a gifted migrant working in his uncle’s kebab shop. Mo has always kept his culinary ambitions hidden until, during a late night of service, he meets Laila played by Ellora Torchia (House of the Dragon, Ali & Ava, Midsommar), a thoughtful lawyer trapped in a stagnant engagement. Their chance encounter begins a passionate affair built on late-night conversations and cooking sessions. As Laila encourages Mo to pursue his dreams despite his pending visa renewal, he challenges her to confront the life she’s settled for. The episode was written by Mina Barber and directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Dan Sloan from Wallasey.

The Nine O’Clock Trot is a darkly comic, emotionally resonant drama starring Johnny Vegas (Benidorm, Home from Home, Red Dwarf) and Kalli Tant (Inside No.9, The Responder, The Gathering), this film follows Annie (Tant), a recent graduate who has spent six months caring full‑time for her grandfather. Isolated, unemployed and broke, Annie is left reeling when he dies — and facing a funeral bill she cannot afford. With no family support and nowhere to turn, she keeps his death a secret, refusing a council public health funeral she finds unbearable. Desperate to give him a proper send‑off, Annie turns to the local parish priest, only to become entangled with Father Adam (Vegas), a troubled man facing his own reckoning. What begins as an act of love spirals rapidly out of control, forcing Annie to confront just how far she’s willing to go. Honest, warm and darkly funny, the film explores grief, social care, and the unseen weight of caring – and the extraordinary lengths we go to for those we love. It was written by Liverpool’s Joe McNally in his debut TV production, following on from writing the play ‘Cosmic’ for the Royal Court Theatre, and directed by fellow scouser Harry Machray, a LIPA alum and current head of factual for LA Productions, making his fiction directorial debut.

The Castle follows three siblings left to fend for themselves after their mother suddenly disappears. Connor, Jamie, and Mia; played by Oliver Nelson (After the Flood, The Gathering), Dylan Hughes (Death by Lightening, Ludwig, Maternal) and Matilda Flower (Trying, Christmas at Plumhill Manor) try to keep their lives afloat, transforming their suburban house into a makeshift fortress as they wait for her return. Told through the eyes of wildly imaginative middle-brother Connor, The Castle traces fraying sibling relationships, survival strategies, and the grand stories children tell each other to feel safe. A tender, soulful story about growing up too soon, and rescuing yourself before it’s too late. Written by Jack Bradfield, it was directed by Liverpool’s Emma Turner, following on her directorial debut on last year’s Play For Today series.

Following a successful first run that delivered first credits for new writers, first time directors and early career crew, this new wave further cements Play for Today as a launchpad for the next generation of British talent and 5 as a major home of original British drama. The new films continue to open doors for talent traditionally under represented in the industry. Across the strand, writers and directors are making their broadcast debuts, while crews are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and supported to progress on set.

At LA Productions, this commitment has translated into opportunities at every level. Building on series one, they have supported a returning first time director, delivered broadcast debuts for two additional directors and three new local writers, and enabled crew members to step up into more senior roles.

We’re also proud to have facilitated nine Youth Guarantee Trailblazers placements across both LA Productions and LA Post on the three episodes, providing the trainees with their first on-set experience.

FACILTIES FRIDAY: FROM SET TO SCREEN!

This week’s Facilities Friday dives deep into LA Post, the post-production arm of one of Liverpool’s longest running and most revered production companies LA Productions.

WAYNE GARVIE TO DELIVER WAKE UP ADDRESS AND DERRY GIRLS STAR ANNOUNCED FOR CREATIVE CITIES CONVETION

Creative Cities Convention arrives in Liverpool next week, with the UK’s largest gathering of production leaders outside of London coming to Camp and Furnace on 6th + 7th May.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRONE OPERATORS

Members of the LFO team recently joined Rob Tilly of specialist drone operators IronBird (This City is Ours, House of Guinness, Tin Star) at LIPA to host an exclusive drone masterclass for final year film students as part of our Connected Campus outreach programme. Covering the basics of drone operating, the practicalities behind using the equipment and the creative opportunities drones can allow for, Rob gave students the chance to get up close with a range of drones and see first-hand how different equipment can achieve different shots.  

The masterclass marked the first stage of a collaborative project between LFO, LIPA and IronBird, which will culminate in a drone‑based video promoting The Depot studio site alongside some of Liverpool’s most prominent filming locations. Using insights gained during the masterclass, students were tasked with developing a creative brief to meet LFO’s promotional objectives through a drone‑led video project. Following review by LFO and IronBird, the most appropriate and realistic brief will be selected and brought to life, with the student(s) behind it given the opportunity to experience the production process firsthand by shadowing IronBird during shoot days. 

We are proud to be working alongside local production and educational partners to enrich students’ final weeks of education, giving them first‑hand experience of bringing a production to life while showcasing Liverpool City Region’s industry offer and helping bridge the gap between education and local industry. Watch this space!