Film Manchester to help Northern freelancers with latest partnership

Production services company Film Manchester is looking to help freelancers after partnering with London- and Ibiza-based Suz Cruz.

The new service, Suz Cruz North, will offer Northern freelancers working in film and television access to a diary management and booking system.

Suz Cruz North will also give production firms working on location in the North a link to talent from across the region.

Film Manchester co-founder Jen Whitesaid commented: “This relationship marks a huge milestone for both businesses and demonstrates just how big the demand for freelance professionals has become in the North, as more and more production companies are drawn here due to the pool of talent and facilities available throughout the north of the UK.

“We’re so passionate about the north and know from our experience in the industry the quality and quantity of talent that’s available in the region.”

She continued: “With Suz Cruz North we will be able to display the extensive network of professionals available for production companies and ensure we match-make the right crew based on our knowledge of the people we’ve worked with for so many years.”

Film Manchester was established in 2016 by business partners Denise O’Doherty and Jen White, who have over 30 years of collective experience in production.

Suz Cruz co-director Sue Yardley, who founded the company in 1989 with business partner Zoe Matthews, said: “I set up the company with the aim of offering a diary service to benefit both crew and production companies.

“As the demand for experienced crew in the north of England has grown, I have for the last two years been looking to expand with like-minded professionals in the North who have that in-depth local knowledge and access to local crew.”

She added: “When I was approached by Film Manchester they demonstrated this in abundance and it was clear they were the right fit to help us grow the service in the north of England.”

Film Manchester’s Denise O’Doherty said that with Suz Cruz North, the aim will be to help freelancers avoid missing out on work that could enable them to build their networks with national and international production firms.