Success for Local Production Company at £10K Studio Pitching Competition

On 24^th March the Norwich Producers' Group and EPIC (The East of England Production Innovation Centre) held the UK's first studio pitching competition at the Norwich based studios,  once home to Sale of the Century and Tales of the Unexpected.  Producers, Directors and members of the production community from across the UK were invited to pitch ideas for light entertainment, quizzes and even drama productions.

The winner, Phil Johnson from Mainsail Media, and former BBC news reader / producer who pitched Famous for 15 Minutes! received a £10,000 prize in cash and support, including two days use of EPIC studios and post-production, towards developing a pilot show for broadcasters.

Daniel Cox, Leader of Norfolk County Council, presenting the winner's cheque, donated by the council, said, "We set up the EPIC project to support and develop the creative industries, particularly TV production, in this area.  What we saw tonight proved the point, and demonstrated the breadth of creativity we have in Norfolk and in the region.  We trust our support will help the winning idea to take off - and we're glad the County, and EPIC, will be playing a big part in that."

The six finalists pitched in front of a live audience and an industry panel, comprising John Lloyd, creator of Not the Nine O'clock News, Spitting Image and QI, John Gough director of the world's leading international format brand Distraction Formats, Penny Croft, producer and writer of Life without George, Chris Curtis, news editor of Broadcast Magazine and Andrew Sunnucks, managing director, Audio Networks PLC

The finalist pitches were Come the Revolution, The Weird and Wacky Web Show, Wok Attack,That or This?, Famous for 15 Minutes! and Cornelius Brown pitched by producers from London, Bedfordshire and Bradford.

Mark Wells, director of EPIC said, "It has been a wonderful night, we had some really interesting ideas, with a mix of sitcom to celebrity vehicles, but the show that actually won is one that we know we can make. Phil Johnson is someone with the experience who can make it so the two things will come together and also he's committed to make it in the EPIC studio, what could be better?  We also know that one of the judges is very keen to talk to the winner about a long term business relationship over this project."

John Lloyd (Not The Nine O'clock News, Spitting Image, QI) said, "It would be really exciting to make some programmes here at EPIC. What the opportunity tonight has shown is that a judge is very keen on actually making this and selling it possibly even round the world.  You might find yourselves with a major hit on your hands, that's a real result. 

"We had 40 submissions, shortlisted to 20 and then down to 6 finalists, I'm obviously sorry for those who did not win, but that's not to say that there weren't some very good ideas that have a chance of getting made.  The best thing about it is that if we can show that this type of pitching competition every year actually gets to air with a real programme, you could have a really hot network centre here at EPIC, turning out lots and lots of shows, which is what the region really deserves.  It's a lovely city, with great people and I think you could really show central London how to do it better."

Winner Phil Johnson from Mainsail Media said, "When I found out that I was through to the final, I immediately invited Eye Film & TV to join me to make it a co-production and we're going to take this forward together as a joint Mainsail Media and Eye Film & TV co-production.  What we want to do is to get the studio working and bring the work to Norwich.  There are an awful lot of really good professionals out there who need to work here and that's what we want to do."

The event was sponsored by Norfolk County Council, Audio Networks PLC and Screen East.

For further information about the EPIC studios and facilities, please contact Mark Wells on 01603 727727.