Based in the heart of Wigan, Northern Heart Films’ name reflects their very nature. Self-proclaimed ‘proper storytellers,’ their award-winning film and digital studio has, for the past 7 years, brought corporate messages to life on screen through work with established brands and charities. As well as being selected for the BBC’s Small Indie Fund and passing their knowledge on to aspiring young creatives, they’ve put their hometown on the map through commissions including their Drum Award nominated Daily Mirror’s Wigan Pier series, and most recently, as creators of the opening film at the Robin Park headline concert for world-renowned musician, songwriter and former The Verve frontman, Richard Ashcroft.

Whilst many filmmakers would have created a simple hype reel for the rock’n’roll icon, the project highlighted how creativity thrives beyond Manchester’s city centre, with the small company adding their own suburban twist on the project. Focusing on the frontman’s Wigan roots they placed the town’s people, businesses and landmarks at the centre of what became an audio-visual love letter to their hometown.

MIDAS popped the kettle on and caught up with Northern Heart Films’ founders, Natasha Hawthornthwaite, Creative Director and Head of Originals, and Scott Bradley, Creative Producer and Head of Productions to find out more.

From the very beginning, you had a clear vision for Northern Heart Films and the aims of the business, what can you tell us about this?

N: We set up our company because we’re storytellers. We’ve always wanted to make great work and to collaborate with great people whilst shining a spotlight on the things we’re most passionate about. The purpose is always to make audiences feel something and carry that emotion with them, beyond what they see on screen.

S: We noticed a lot of commercial companies delivering very dry talking heads videos to share their messages and although the landscape has become more cinematic today, when we started, we knew we could offer something fresh and bring a different perspective to the table. The aim was always to create something very authentic and personable.

What was the process for making the Richard Ashcroft film like? it must have been exciting…

N: The Richard Ashcroft film was a great project but so much more than what everyone saw in its 2 minutes on screen; we had to find archive material, license it, and streamline that process whilst the ideas took shape, all before creating a shoot list. We also had to adapt the format using texture and multi-screen to solve technical challenges.

“I’m excited to be working with Northern Heart Films… they’re good at what they do and authentic; they have a natural want to give back to Wigan, to celebrate it and look after people who wouldn’t normally get opportunities.” - Richard Ashcroft, songwriter and musician

How would you describe your approach to filmmaking?

S: Our best work comes from when we have opportunities to bring our ideas to the project so we work hard to build trust with our clients to allow us to put our own stamp on it and create something we can be proud of together.

N: For a long time, we thought of ourselves as a video production company but now we’re more of a creative agency, helping shape the message and how to best convey it. Our conversations start with an audience-first approach, and we figure out how to make them care about the message. Then you work backwards from there build on it bit by bit. For the Richard Ashcroft film we were like, ‘who’s this really for?’ It was for the people at the gig so the best thing for Richard was to create a shared energy and make everyone there feel part of the action.

S: People were pointing at the big screen because they recognised places around Wigan and locations familiar to them. It’s not every day you’ll see Wigan depicted that way, so the film really mattered and had a big impact.

You won Lancashire Business View’s Creative Award in 2018 and was, last year, nominated for Prolific North’s Production Company of the Year, not to mention winning the national Smiley Charity Film Award - practically the Oscars of cause-based videography…

N: It has been an incredible journey so far. Our film was in the same category as one made by Steve McQueen. We didn’t have a huge budget but just made it work; we created a beautiful poetry film celebrating the lives of unpaid carers. We did our own research, hired a poet to write something based on real experiences, cast, and filmed real people in their roles. We went over and above to deliver a great piece of work.

S: That’s why we’ve lasted this long; the broadcast landscape is always changing, and you have to work hard to stay relevant. Most businesses are forced to adapt but we’ve built our company by offering different options from independent to corporate films, and then there’s offering funding and mentoring through our own Doc Fund… we’ve been able to navigate challenges the scene has thrown at us.

Yes, you also help aspiring creatives get into the industry, particularly those who are under-represented both in front of, and behind, the camera; how did your Northern Heart Doc Fund come about?

N: It started because we’re a company that cares; its in our DNA. I don’t know if that’s a northern thing, but we just want to help. I’ve had my own mentor through Creative UK and having someone there who believes in you has transformed our company. We know the power of what it means to have support so if we can do the same for others and believe in them, it’ll give them the confidence to create and be amazing.

That must be so valuable to maintaining a pipeline for Greater Manchester’s wider creative, digital and tech industry?

N: Definitely. Many of the existing support systems out there focus on technical roles like camera and editing skills - but we’re helping people find their voice to make their own films and share the stories and ideas which are personal to them. We can’t help but feel our approach will only strengthen the film industry.

"Manchester is full of creatives and visionaries, people with something to say, so we’re happy to volunteer our time to help other filmmakers develop."

We’re still on our own journey but it’s nice to be a company which gives back and support each other. In fact, some filmmakers we’ve supported, we’ve also hired to work on Northern Heart Film projects; this empowers them to forge their own path and pay it forwards themselves in future.

That’s true; many professionals may only think about sharing their experience further down the line, but you’re passing on your industry knowledge and expertise whilst actively working in the sector which must mean there’s mutual respect…

S: From personal experience, we understand what it’s like to come from a place where options can feel limited. The north-west is unique so we wanted to set up our own support scheme designed to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds get a foot in the door of the industry. To date 9 filmmakers have come through our Fund over the last 2 years and now other small production companies are noticing this and starting to do the same.

You receive regular support from the BBC in Media City, Salford after selection for the BBC’s Small Indie Fund; how has that helped you and your clients?

N: We’re 1 of 54 small independent production companies selected nationally to receive some of the BBC’s £1million backing and a commissioning mentor. Their support has been invaluable; it recognises our business’ potential and is something we’re really excited about.

S: They’ve invested a small amount into our work and we meet with the commissioner each month. This allows us to pitch and develop ideas, and the team’s insight and feedback has allowed us to evolve our projects and shape our creative concepts.

You work from your office in Wigan at The Old Courts – a former courthouse turned into multi-use creative hub. It must be a great space to collaborate?

N: Yes! It’s a vibrant community where people come together and share ideas. There’s a co-working space, record shop, and they’re even developing a bar and rehearsal space. I’m inspired by people who think a bit differently, whatever sector they’re in. I take it all in and just love learning and bringing that insight to the projects we’re working on. We love meeting interesting people and hearing other creatives talk about their own big ideas whether on shoots or by attending events.

What are the best things about running your business in Greater Manchester?

S: Working in a small town means you can live in a nice area without breaking the bank – Wigan really looks after its green spaces; I live right next to a beautiful park which I walk through on my way to the office each morning.

N: I love being able to walk my rescue dog along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wigan Flashes nature reserve, and woodlands near my house. If I’m working in office, I’ll pass Eckersley Mill, a new development which is going to be an incredible destination for our town – it’s a place full of old historic buildings like Wigan Pier; that whole area is just lovely to walk past each day.

S: It feels like the town is really finding its identity.

N: Yes, it shows that there’s more happening if you look beyond the city centre; Wigan, Rochdale, Bolton, and others… there’s so much going on and each location has its own unique vibe and heritage just a short train journey from the city. London and Liverpool are on the trainline too. Working and living in Wigan is a great place to be.

But of course, you don’t just work in Wigan?

N: That’s right – Wigan’s a base for us really. When we want to channel creative energy from collaborating with other people, interesting thinkers, and leaders we will spend time in Manchester city centre. Then when we want space to think, develop ideas and be creative, Wigan’s green spaces give us the freedom to do that. The cost of living also allows our business to be more selective about the projects we become involved with and choose those we’re passionate about.

How much of Northern Heart Films’ success do you attribute to Manchester’s work ethic for getting things done?

N: Our best work comes from just having an idea and doing something. Lockdown was a tough time for everyone and as a creative business we wondered what we were going to do. Social distancing prevented us from filming so instead we tapped into stock footage and cut together a library of pictures – it wasn’t the most visually stimulating piece but told a vital story through mixing visuals with poetry and music. After sharing it online it went viral and the national media picked it up; we then got our first film commission from the BBC for CBBC and CBeebies to create a similar piece about children’s experience in lockdown, which led to us becoming a Limited Company. We’d done our R&D really!

What is next for Northern Heart Films?

N: Every day is different; we could be on a film shoot or doing an edit or developing big ideas but right now, we’re excited to be developing a documentary series as well as delving more into more commercial projects; we’re also working on another musical project with Leigh band The Lottery Winners to tell the story of where they came from. Then as part of our Doc Fund, we’re evolving our vision to support emerging filmmakers… so watch this space.

S: We just can’t wait to collaborate with more ambitious companies across Greater Manchester who might need our help telling stories with heart. We just love making stuff, developing partnerships, and making things happen.

Northern Heart Films are open for commissions and conversations. Find out more by visiting northernheartfilms.com | Instagram @northernheartfilms | LinkedIn @northern-heart