Member Article

Liverpool the film star at book launch

A book published this week turns the spotlight on Liverpool’s screen presence as one of Britain’s most frequently-filmed cities.

In 2012, filming levels increased by 22 per cent on the previous year, with 894 filming days taking place in the city. In total, 227 films, programmes and adverts were filmed – bringing in £19million to the local economy.

The book, ‘World Film Locations: Liverpool’ records the fact that outside London, no other British city has attracted more film makers.

It focuses on Liverpool’s ability to double as other cities from across the world, including New York, Chicago, Paris, Rome and Moscow – this being a major draw for film-makers.

Published by Intellect, it charts Liverpool’s cinematic history, dating back to as far as 1896 when a film called Liverpool Scenes was shot in the city by Alexandre Promio for the Lumiere Brothers. It’s the earliest recorded footage of Liverpool’s Lime Street Station and the electric Overhead Railway.

The book includes Captain America, which was one of the last major Hollywood blockbuster to be filmed in the city in 2012.

This publication is the latest in a series of books which have covered locations including New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Barcelona.

Manager of Liverpool’s Film Office, Lynn Saunders, said: “We were absolutely over the moon when we found out that Intellect were publishing a book about Liverpool.

“It’s great to get national recognition for the filming which takes place in Liverpool, and we’re certainly in good company with the other locations which appear in the series.

“The diversity of this city has always appealed to film-makers and we’ve had a huge number of movies filmed here – from big budget productions such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Sherlock Holmes right through to critically acclaimed films Nowhere Boy and Of Time in the City.

“And looking ahead, we’ve already got some exciting film projects in the pipeline which will once again put Liverpool on the map as one of the filming cities in the UK.”

Jessica Pennock from publisher Intellect said: “Outside of London, no other British city has attracted more film makers than Liverpool. The city is a place of passion, humour and pride and World Film Locations: Liverpool, published by Intellect, explores why the city has endured as a cinematic destination”

The book will be officially launched 6pm on Wednesday at OhMeOhMy by Liverpool-born actress Rita Tushingham who is both a Golden Globe and BAFTA Award winner.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “I think people will be amazed when they see the number, and scope, of all the films which have been shot in the city.

“It’s fantastic that the rich variety of locations in the city is perfect for directors and producers, but the appeal of filming here is also to do with the fantastic Film Office team who go above and beyond to meet the needs of the cast and crew.”

The launch has been organised in partnership with Edge Hill University.

Professor Roger Shannon from the university said: “I’m delighted that Liverpool is now featured in the famous ‘World Film Locations’ series along with New York, Berlin, Paris and London to recognise the central role the city continues to play in a multitude of films, helping us to frame our understanding of place and of the world around us.

“Liverpool acts as a vital character in helping to tell a story and it’s highly appropriate to see it recognised in this way. Having a chapter in the book also allows me to reflect on my own experiences of producing films in the city.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .