Aside from being two of the biggest names in the film industry, the other common bond shared by actor Jude Law and Director Danny Boyle is that they both spent time making movies in Liverpool last year.

Like many other movie moguls, they have forsaken the glitz and the glamour of tinsel town to mine the incredible raw potential Liverpool offers in terms of crews, talent, architecture, and locations. It is this kind of foresight that has made 2003 the most sucessful year ever in the history of the city council's Film Office.

This isn't just one of those vague PR statements designed to renew confidence either; the Film Office organised 612 days of filming last year - the highest since the department was formed in 1989. Two feature films and nine network TV series were shot in our city.

This shatters the previous record of 502 days set in 2000 when Samuel L. Jackson was in the city filming the off-beat comedy vehicle '51st State'.

Liverpool Film Studios.

Danny Boyle's scouse-bound project 'Millions' used the Liverpool Film Studios for it's production; the movie is a black comedy that tells the tale of two youngsters who find £1 million. Meanwhile, the feature film 'Digital Jesus' used locations such as Stanley Dock, Exchange Flags and Old Hall Street to double as New York.

Nine network television programmes were also shot in the city, including:

The BBC One police series 'Mersey Beat' - which is shot entirely in Liverpool.

Grange Hill - shot on location in Liverpool.

CBBC's 'Grange Hill' - shot on location at Mersey TV headquarters and in Norris Green.

ITV1's drama 'To Kidnap a Princess' about the attempted kidnap of Princess Anne. They used Sefton Park to replicate The Mall in London.

Red and Blue - a BBC One drama about the demonstrations outside Holy Cross school in Belfast Pleasurelands.

It is estimated that hundreds of people have been employed on these productions, giving something like a £15 million boost to the local economy and benefiting businesses such as hotels, taxi firms and caterers.

2004 shows no signs of slowing! The Film Office and North West Vision have successfully bid for £6 million from the Objective One fund to develop and encourage new talent, and strengthen the facilities and filming infrastructure across Merseyside.

Liverpool - destined to tell many stories.

Film Office manager Lynn Saunders says the future is looking good: "It's a really exciting time for the film industry in Liverpool. The Liverpool Film Studios have firmly established themselves as a production base within the city, and the Objective One cash means we can invest in the next generation of film makers to bring on new talent."

Later this year, Liverpool looks set to steal the spotlight again as 'The Virgin of Liverpool', a comedy feature film starring Ricky Tomlinson and Johnny Vegas will go on general release; the film was shot entirely on location in the city.

We'll have more musings from Hollyweird then. Until next time...