Leading creatives from across the West Midlands have given their backing to the #WMGeneration push to get Channel 4 to move to Birmingham.

First it was Yamination Studios’ founder Drew Roper - now others have followed.

The West Midlands has been pushing hard, both in the region and in Westminster, to campaign with the Government saying it wants the broadcaster to move out of the capital.

Anisa Haghdadi

Anisa Haghdadi founded The Beatfreeks Collective five years ago with the aim of bringing together a collective of companies and entrepreneurs in Birmingham which will use creativity for good.

Its community is made up of artists, activists, entrepreneurs, designers, technologists, researchers and more.

It currently has three companies in its portfolio - youth engagement agency Young Giant, data think tank Doink and art activism platform Free Radical.

Anisa Haghdadi
Anisa Haghdadi

Anisa said: "Brummies are self deprecating - it's our best and sometimes our worst trait.

"We need to be OK to shout at the tops of our voices and tell the world we are worthy. "This is that time. "Channel 4 moving here would make a big statement - for it as an edgy, contemporary broadcaster which seeks to reflect the debate and dialogue of the times and for us as the home of world-class talent with more stories than you could shake a stick at.

"It feels like it is the right time to realise this potential and be OK to say we're great at what we do."

Drew Roper

Drew, 30, founded his own stop-motion animation business in 2009 and has worked with a string of top companies in pursuit of an ambition to make a fully-fledged feature.

“I just think it’s the perfect fit for Channel 4 to be here when its target audience is here in the middle of who watches them,” says Drew at his Digbeth studios.

“We’d certainly welcome them at Plasticine Palace here.”

Drew Roper says Channel 4 should move to Birmingham
Drew Roper says Channel 4 should move to Birmingham

Below are the thoughts of several other leading creatives who are all hard at work in the Midlands using the local knowledge basis to stretch their wings.

And they all agree on one thing: Channel 4 would be great for Birmingham – and Birmingham would be great for Channel 4.

Chris Randall

Chris Randall runs an animation studio called Second Home Studios in Digbeth and is convinced it would both parties would benefit if Channel 4 moved to Birmingham.

Second Home has garnered multiple BAFTA and Royal Television Society awards in all styles of animation.

It has a reputation across the board for innovative and striking stop-motion, slick CGI and quirky, characterful 2D.

“The benefits to the channel would mean that they could immerse themselves in their remit of ‘reflecting the cultural diversity of the UK’, because that’s precisely what Birmingham offers,” says Chris.

Chris Randall, creative director, Second Home Studios
Chris Randall, creative director, Second Home Studios

Mohammed Ali

Birmingham artist Mohammed Ali recently organised the Knights of the Raj exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to illustrate the origins and growth of the city’s curry houses.

Mohammed said: “As an artist, I would absolutely hope that Channel 4 comes here to highlight Birmingham.

“Birmingham is the flag that I am flying and I want my children and grandchildren to think I helped to change the city.

“I am taking Knights of the Raj to New York next and London will be after that.

“What troubles me is that there is a balance that is needed, having travelled around the world expressing my passion for Birmingham.

“Birmingham has an insecurity about itself.

Curator Mohammed Ali
Curator Mohammed Ali

“We are often too busy trying to present Birmingham as ‘this great place’.

“That makes me feel uncomfortable, trying to prove that Birmingham is ‘a great place’.

“That should be organic, so it makes me cringe sometimes.

“The Raj exhibition would have attracted interest from all over the world if I’d done that in London first, but here it was comfortable with itself.

“I support the campaign (to bring Channel 4) here, I understand the logic.

“But I am not running after anybody. I say ‘Come to me when you are ready’ – I am not chasing after people.

“That is the spirit of my work, to show that Birmingham is a place that should be listened to and respected.

“Then, when people come to Birmingham and you take them round to all places and communities and not just the city centre, they go ‘Wow’.

“Seeing diverse communities is what impresses people.

“Who wants to bring anyone alone (to a party) if they are dragging their feet, just so that you can tick a box?

“Is that really going to be fruitful?”

Temper

Back from the shadows: paranoid psychosis sufferer Temper says he was nearly left with brain damage by fumes from turps
Artist Temper

Leading graffiti artist Temper also backs the drive to persuade Channel 4 to move to Birmingham.

“Anything that is creative and supports creative industries is definitely welcome in the region,” he says the Wolverhampton-born artist whose collections include Timeless and Popcorn as well as charity projects like The Big Hoot.

“When I was working for Saatchi & Saatchi in London, all but two of the people there were from the Midlands.

“Instead of people moving to creative industries in London, we have the talent that should be staying here.”

Temper, whose ambition is to be asked to paint a graffiti portrait of the Queen, adds: “Channel 4 coming to Birmingham would be great for filmmakers, actors and editors.”

Marc Silk

Marc Silk voices Bartholomew Yogart, the lead character in At-Issue
Marc Silk voices Bartholomew Yogart, the lead character in At-Issue

Marc Silk is one of the country’s leading voice actors, working nationally and internationally on everything from Star Wars to Danger Mouse, Go Jetters, Scooby-Doo and Johnny Bravo.

Fresh from hosting Symphonic Star Wars recently at the Royal Albert Hall, Marc says: “It would be a smart move for Channel Four to be based in the heart of the UK.

“Bringing Channel 4 to Birmingham will show it’s commitment to reflecting their public service promise to programme makers and viewers outside of London.

“Birmingham is a desirable place to to live, work and produce creative content.

“Channel 4 can show its commitment to being innovative and distinctive by being based in our creative city.

“I perform voice work for television, films, radio, live shows and games.

“I’ve had opportunities that would relocate me to London, Manchester or even New York.

“I stay in Birmingham because of the great quality of life and the high standard of creative work that I am able to do based here.

“New York trips are made easier thanks to Birmingham International Airport being just ten minutes from where I work. It’s a much easier experience than Heathrow.”

Marc, who is the voice of Scooby-Doo and Star Wars: Episode I character Aks Moe, says that when he works in London he can reach studios quicker than friends who live on the outskirts of the capital.

“It takes me just over an hour to get to London on the train from the NEC,” says Marc.

“This a young, vibrant city. A fantastic place to experience diverse inspiration for new shows.

“Writers, actors, musicians, technicians, artists and producers – these talented creative makers are ready to welcome Channel 4 to our city.

“Bringing Channel 4 to Birmingham would be great for us, and great for Channel 4.”

The Brothers McLeod

The Brothers McLeod from Stratford-on-Avon
The Brothers McLeod from Stratford-on-Avon

Myles and Greg McLeod run their own BAFTA-award winning 2D animation studio The Brothers McLeod in Stratford-upon-Avon – but can still see the benefits of a move by Chanel 4l to Birmingham.

Myles says: “Channel 4 moving to Birmingham would be very positive for the region.

“Ever since the BBC moved out of Pebble Mill there’s been a sense that Birmingham is a backwater for the media industry.

“When the BBC moved its children’s department and Five Live up to Manchester that really invigorated the city’s media scene.

“Channel 4 moving to Birmingham would surely have a similar impact on the second city.

“The advantages to the broadcaster probably include lower running costs, which means they could potentially put more money on screen.

“Birmingham is also still not far from the capital and the indies based there so there’s no major disadvantage in that respect.

“It’s too early to tell what effect it would have on our own company, but hopefully if the channel was based in the region it would help local businesses to develop a meaningful relationship.”

Shaun Magher

Animation director Shaun Magher runs SMA Studios and is also the lead lecturer on an MA Animation/Games course at Birmingham City University.

He has made ads for The Famous Grouse, Frubes, Fairy, Ribena, Strepsils and Cheese Strings, created station branding for clients including Sony Entertainment Television, Movie Mix, BBC3 and CITV and made many music videos, including one for U2’s ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss me, Kill me’.

Shaun says: “Yes! Channel 4 should move to Birmingham.

“The region needs a major broadcaster that sinks its roots deep.

“The lack of commitment from the BBC in the region is well documented.

“A move by Channel 4 will invigorate the local industry on many levels.

“A broadcaster needs facilities that can support its productions and if this happens, you will see facilities return to the region.

“It will also mean that the existing companies such as ours, SMA Studios Ltd will have the opportunity to pitch for projects locally.”

The majority of SMA’s work is for clients in London or the US.

Shaun adds: “I cannot remember when we created animation content for a broadcaster or agency in the Midlands since working with BBC Pebble Mill or CITV when they were based in the city.

“The lack of a major broadcaster here has left the region barren. I don’t really count the pockets of the BBC that exist here.

“They are a stipend. A nod to the region to keep the argument that the license fee is poorly distributed nationally at bay.

“A broadcaster of the importance of Channel 4 will help stem the drain of our talented film and television craftsmen from the area and there are many passionate talented folk here in the Midlands who want to live and work here.

“I am also a course director at Birmingham City University’s New Technology Institute and this proposed move would also offer our students fantastic opportunities for the future in many media based disciplines.

“It would be a win-win situation for this region and a win-win situation for Channel 4 as they would be able to tap into the wealth of talent here.”

Lee Kemp

Lee Kemp
Lee Kemp

Lee Kemp is a director and producer at Vermillion Films working out of the Jewellery Quarter and London on high end commercials while also developing his first feature film script.

Brands that have worked with Vermillion, recognising the high standard of creative talent that exists outside of Soho and Westminster, include Chivas Regal, Team Sky, England Cricket, Polar, Paddy Power, Tough Mudder, Land Rover, Philips and Cisco.

“There is already a sizeable skill base here that has begun to flourish in recent years following years of atrophy,” says Lee.

“Charles Gurassa’s comments (as Chairman of Channel 4) are reflective of a pathologically London-centric approach and a regional prejudice that is out of date and lazy.

“Not only is there historical precedent for regional bases such as Pebble Mill in Birmingham and ITV hubs all over the country, but the current success stories of BBC Drama in Cardiff or BBC Natural History in Bristol demonstrate the model works.

“Maverick and North One have made hugely successful, award-winning, groundbreaking television out of Birmingham. Indeed much of it for Channel 4. “So, frankly, Charles Gurassa can wind his neck in.

“The remit to develop talent around the UK is better served by a Birmingham base given our hugely convenient communications links to the rest of the country.

“Not only does this work for freelance production and creative talent but also the reduced living costs mean Channel 4 can deliver its remit with significantly lower staff costs.

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“I understand the reluctance to uproot an established and successful organisation but there is a publicly funded obligation to work outside of London and Birmingham represents the best value for money and best regional opportunity to do that.

“For my company, Vermillion Films, it would mean greater access to creative talent, an increase in crew and craft skills such as costume and camera and this would in turn increase the ability of London based companies to operate regionally.

“Large London equipment rental companies and other companies have recently been looking at expanding into the this city and I know from detailed conversations that Birmingham is often seen as on the cusp of the risk envelope.

“A move by a major broadcaster would make this a no-brainer for many of these companies.”

In recent years Vermillion has produced work for national and global brands in the city, around the country and across the world.

Lee adds: “When the Liberal Democrat party wanted to produce something different and more creative for Vince Cable’s message for New Year 2017 and look forward to 2018, they chose Vermillion.

“For those people who don’t want to move up here we do just as good, bullsh*t, hipster, veganuary organic soy latte frapucinnos as that little place on Poland Street.

“And your one bed Tokyo-style-living shoe box in Brixton will get you a 2,500 square foot Javelin Block converted Brooklyn-style loft apartment in Birmingham with polished concrete floor and zinc clad kitchen.”