The North East Comedy Hothouse is heating up!
The NE Comedy Hot House, our collaboration with scripted comedy executive, Emma Lawson, and home for growing comedy talent and production companies from the North East and Tees Valley is about to announce its first broadcaster commissions, through Channel 4 SPARKS.
The NE Comedy Hot House Sparks model will see online shareable content written by, produced by and starring only local talent, showcased by Channel 4. This is a unique venture as it involves sub-commissioning production companies as well as talent.
Whilst this platform is a great launch pad for new talent, it’s a very tricky format. Luckily the eclectic set of writers, stand ups, sketch troupes and storytellers that we are working with are up for a challenge as well as a laugh.
Emma is working closely with the producers in the region, bringing an amazing energy and passion for both comedy and the region, not to mention heaps of experience. She’s introduced our talent to the best broadcast professionals working in shareable comedy, who have been very generous with their knowledge and expertise.
Alison Gwynn, “It’s been great linking Emma and Channel 4 with some of the regions great production companies to deliver Sparks: Roundhouse Pictures, Couch Potato Films, Tri-Hard Films, Candle & Bell, FNA, MCC Media and Beacon Films thus far. There are a lot more more companies, talent and ideas that we want to bring into the NE Comedy Hot House in future. We hope this is the start of a great and long running relationship with Channel 4 and the comedy community in the region.”
Emma Lawson, “I’m thrilled to finally have the opportunity to develop and showcase the rich on-screen and programme-making talent in the North East. The humour here is mischievous, inventive and has a strong sense of place, so it’s a dream first project for the North East Comedy Hot House to be partnering with a broadcaster like Channel 4 on, and we can’t wait to get cracking.”
We are looking forward to seeing which ideas are commissioned later this month!
