North East producers could see their names in lights soon

Oct 8 2009 By Chris Knox, The Journal

With a roster of clients that includes Channel 4, Calvin Klein and even musician Antony & the Johnsons, the producers behind J6 Films in Newcastle are certainly making a name for themselves. Chris Knox caught up with its young managing director James Baxter.

After hosting a club night at the Baltic art gallery, Mr Baxter took up a fellowship with DigitalCity at Teesside University where he received business support and mentoring from acclaimed film director Richard Fenwick, who has made a series of award winning short films as well as music videos for musicians including bands Death in Vegas and Teenage Fanclub.

"It was a privilege to work with Richard and he taught me a lot about the day to day matters of running a business.

"I had always admired his work and was more than happy to receive advice from another expert."

Mr Baxter has already won a number of contracts for commercial clients, as well as creating music videos for bands including dance music outfit the Karoshi Bros whose music is currently featured on a national TV campaign.

The music videos have received much critical acclaim in magazines including Creative Review and The Crack and were also shown on large screens at this year's Glastonbury festival.

J6 Films is leading the way in creating online viral films, having just finished viral campaigns that have been recognised by international distribution network Go Viral.

"Online virals are defiantly the way that the industry is going these days," said Mr Baxter.

"Companies are throwing much more money on internet marketing these days, which is perfect for the work we do. We have entered the market with the right skills at the right time.

"We want to grow the business and have one of our directors in New York at the moment with the view of making a name for ourselves in the US. We are a relatively new business but we all have contacts within the industry having worked alongside some pretty big household names."

As well as having put together TV channel idents for E4, the firm is bidding for work with Newcastle-based advertisement industry Drummond Central.

Mr Baxter is looking to increase the firm's involvement in feature films after coming second in the Royal Television Society awards for his own short film Florid, which tells the story of a day in the life of a psychiatric nurse.

"I would like to get more involved with short film after being so successful with my first effort," Mr Baxter said. "There are a number of options open to us."