Drama producer Clapperboard has joined forces with Lime Pictures to keep more of its productions in the UK.
The indie, a prolific supplier to 5, has produced more than 161 hours of TV in the past five years, including Benidorm is Murder, [main picture], Number One Fan and returner The Teacher, which are primarily filmed abroad to keep costs low and use international tax credits.
Under a strategic partnership with Lime, it will have access to the Hollyoaks production facilities and crew at Liverpool’s L16 Studios and has two dramas lined up for filming in the North-West next year.
Clapperboard managing director Mike Benson, who has called for UK tax credits for sub-£1m-per-hour dramas, said: “Our ambition has always been to produce more of our output in the nations and regions of the UK.”
Describing Lime as “a perfect partner”, he added: “With the financial challenges of the current market, link-ups between companies who bring different assets, facilities and financing to the table seems to be a viable way forward.”
Clapperboard’s productions at L16 Studios will make also use of the production teams housed at Lime.
Lime managing director John Wittle said: “With L16 Studios, our wealth of production talent, Digital 16 and all the facilities we have here, it makes for a fantastic opportunity to create a home for yet more ambitious drama in Liverpool.
“Working with Clapperboard will allow us to bring together our respective expertise and resources, creating more job opportunities in the North-West … at all levels and tangible training opportunities to bolster the pipeline in the region.”
