Gateshead based TV production company wins “huge” support from Channel 4

MOTIF, based in Gateshead, is set to receive support from Channel 4’s 2022 Emerging Indie Fund to help boost growth.

10 independent production companies have been chosen from across the UK and have secured awards from the Channel 4 fund and as a result will receive a range of support and guidance to help supercharge their broadcast slate.

Motif, established in 2020 by James Craggs and Tautyvdas Baranauskas, is based in Gateshead and now employs five staff to produce scripted and non-scripted programmes from the region. It is focused on growth and winning commissions from a range of broadcasters and streamers.

Lisa Laws, head of talent and business development at North East Screen, commented: “This is a huge achievement and we are delighted for Motif as they are a perfect example of an exciting new local production company understanding what TV commissioners want, being good at pitching and cleverly identifying the next step for their business.

North East Screen and the North East Comedy Hot House have worked with James and Tautyvdas and supported Motif on its three-year journey from producing Channel 4 Sparks, a platform for short videos, and BBC Laugh Lessons (original short comedy sketches).

(L - R): James Craggs and Tautyvdas Baranauskas.

Lisa continued: “We can’t wait to see how the Emerging Indie Fund will make a difference to this developing and innovative North East company.”

James Craggs, managing director at Motif, added: “We established the business through lockdown and have worked hard to understand the commissioning mindset of broadcasters.

“We are constantly looking at the small steps we can take to move forward and are open minded and adaptable. We’ve learned to listen and understand what commissioners want and apply it to our ideas.

“The Emerging Indie Fund felt like the next logical step and will provide us with practical support and a chance to grow our regional based company becoming more established in the industry and the North East. We won the fund for Comedy and are accepting submissions from talent in the scripted comedy genre.”

Companies in the Emerging Indie Fund benefit from a range of support which includes: financial assistance for slate development, regular access to a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, development workshops and expert advice from a variety of departments within Channel 4.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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