Manchester's drama queen

TOP television producer Nicola Shindler has been honoured in her home city of Manchester.

The 40-year-old from Rochdale received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University at a graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall.

Nicola set up and directs independent company Red Productions, which is behind a string of hit series like Queer as Folk, Clocking Off, Unforgiven and Our Friends in the North.

After attending Bury Grammar School, she studied History at Cambridge University before becoming a producer and script-editor at the BBC in London.

Love Manchester

MMU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Brooks said: ‘We recognise Nicola Shindler for her outstanding contribution to drama as a scriptwriter and producer. Her Red Production Company has put Manchester firmly on the location map for British TV drama.’

Nicola said: ‘It’s a marvellous honour. You never expect anything like this, when you are just doing a job you love! It is very flattering and somewhat overwhelming.’

‘I love Manchester, it is very strong as a creative centre. I think writers respond to the city, its language and its stories which are full of character.’

Speaking to graduates from the Faculty of Art and Design, she said: ‘The key into television is to have something to contribute, even if you do not know where you will fit in just yet. Learn to have a particular skill-set, whether it is lighting, cameras, editing or whatever.’

Comedians

‘Two graduates from MMU – Steve Coogan and John Thompson – may not have known exactly where they would fit into television, but as students they learned the precious skill of comedy!’

And she said that Manchester was a ‘good place to be right now for the creative arts’.

Red Productions, the name is inspired by the Reds of Manchester United – is notable for its policy of reading all scripts it is sent. Added Nicola: ‘Reading everything is our way of giving something back and it is not that we necessarily want only new writers – it is important to give people access who might not get it anywhere else.’