A talented North-East actor, presenter, writer and producer is standing up for the region in a bid to attract more film and TV work to the area especially in the field of comedy.
Newcastle-based actress Kim Tserkezie, set up her own production company Scattered Pictures to focus on North East talent both in front of and behind the camera lens. Her dedication to the region and her talent for comedy scriptwriting has led to her joining the delegation pitching to Channel 4 to locate their new hub in the region.
Kim’s philosophy is simple – to nurture local talent, promote the area and bring quality prime-time productions to the region. Her desire to bring more creative opportunities to her native North East came when she found herself constantly having to travel to London for auditions and roles.
“I found that there were many talented people who were feeling isolated and forced to find work down south while we also had fabulous local locations unexplored on screen,” said Kim. “With so little TV development funding in the region I knew the way forward was to collaborate with other established successful independent production companies.
Kim’s commitment and foresight has paid off. She is currently writing and producing a number of screen projects in collaboration with some of the country’s most successful production companies with each project set in the region using local talent. Impressively, Kim is now developing projects with BBC Studios, Talkback, Seven Seas Films and has commissions from leading UK broadcasters.
“We’re very busy at Scattered Pictures which I feel is indicative of the interest that there is in the North East at the moment. I’m very excited to be co-writing Separate Beds, a pilot script with Cramlington writer Elliott Kerrigan who was the creator of Boy Meets Girl. The script has been commissioned by Channel 4 Comedy and I’m also set to play the lead character.”
Rachel Springett, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Comedy said, “We’re thrilled and excited to be working with Kim on her debut project set in Newcastle. Kim has such a unique and authored voice which we look towards developing”.
She is also working with Newcastle based writer Bridget Deane on a comedy called Coming to Life. Gareth Edwards, Executive Producer, Comedy, BBC Studios said – “It’s exciting to be developing a project with Kim and Scattered Pictures. Her creative energy and passion for new stories and perspectives are second to none.”
Other projects showcasing local talent involve Simon Lupton (Executive Producer and former commissioning editor of BBC Comedy) and Dan Sefton (writer of Delicious, Good Karma Hospital, Trust Me) with Seven Seas Films.
Scattered Pictures has also received its first radio documentary commission for the BBC World Service. Kim is presenting the show and it is now in production with an all Newcastle based team.
Kim recently presented to the Channel 4 team who are looking for locations to set up their new hub. Seven cities have been shortlisted for consideration as a Creative Hub including Newcastle and Gateshead. If successful, the bid would boost the local economy, create new skilled jobs and offer opportunities for the region’s creative talent. Kim outlined the rich history of comedy associated with the region and highlighted what the region has to offer in the future with a ton of fresh talent, wonderful stories and unique perspectives.
“I’m a proud Geordie lass through and through and I want to shout out how good we are in this region for producing quality comedy in TV and Film. Over the years we’ve provided TV hits like Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Hebburn and Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out and produced comedic stars like Sarah Millican and Ross Noble who have proven that Geordie humour travels. Scattered Pictures is ready to lead the way in adding to these famous names and iconic shows and making the North East the TV comedy capital of the UK,” said Kim.
Catherine Walker, Inward Investment Director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, added: “It’s brilliant to see a local producer, and her company, enjoying such success in film and TV, and supporting the growth of the sector as a whole in the region. We’ve received amazing support in our bid to bring a Channel 4 creative hub here and Kim, and her team, have been extremely vocal in their backing. To have a Channel 4 presence in the region would be great for companies such as Scattered Pictures in the TV and film sector, and has the potential to be transformational for us and Channel 4 as they try to increase regional content and commissioning.”
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Photo Shows: Kim at Baltic Quays Gateshead
Editors Notes
Kim Tserkezie has more than 20 years of broadcast experience from working on the BAFTA award winning children’s show, Balamory to playing alongside Robson Green and Imogen Stubbs in ITV’s prime time drama Blind Ambition and recently she performed the lead role in her own sitcom, Lodger at BBC Salford Sitcom Showcase 2016 as well as roles in Boy Meets Girl (BBC2), Wolfbood (CBBC) and the feature film, Bliss (Sugar and Water Films). Kim was awarded Full membership to BAFTA in 2014 and was the recipient of the John Brabourne Award in 2016. She is also a board member of RTS North East and the Borders.