The Midlands has incredible filmmaking talent but finding each other has often been the hard part. But Middling Connect, which launched earlier this year, hopes to try and change that with its new dedicated crew database built for the Midlands, by the Midlands.

As we know well, the Midlands has always been home to incredible filmmaking talent — camera operators, sound recordists, lighting technicians, art directors and every department in between. But finding like-minded folk to help with productions can be tough

Middling Connect is a dedicated crew database built specifically for the Midlands film and TV industry. Whether a production company looking to hire local talent, or a crew member looking to get noticed, this could be the platform for you.

Middling Connect is also branch of Middling Women, a production company founded by writer and director Lily Portman. At Middling Women, they "tell stories that celebrate the flawed, the overlooked, and the beautifully average".

"We're alchemists — turning the pain of injustice into power and the quiet moments of everyday life into something extraordinary", the organisation states.

They go on to add, "In a world obsessed with adding miles to the never-ending hedonic treadmill, we're here to tell you to grab your slippers. Because *what if the middle is enough?*"

That same ethos is what they hope can drive Middling Connect. They believe the Midlands doesn't need to compete with London or Manchester to be taken seriously. "The talent is already here — it just needs a proper home".

Some of the benefits they have to offer include:

A Crew Directory - A searchable database of Midlands-based film and TV professionals across every department — camera, sound, lighting, art, production, post-production, and more. Members get a detailed profile showcasing their skills, showreel, rates and availability.

A Community Hub  - A Discord-style chat space where crew members can network, share job leads, ask for advice, and build connections. Public channels will be available for general chat, jobs, gear talk, and locations — plus direct messaging for private conversations.

The Marketplace - Need a camera kit last minute? Looking for studio space? Their marketplace connects members with available equipment and spaces across the region, with a focus on last-minute deals.

Industry Discounts - Exclusive partner offers on kit hire, insurance, software, and more for members only.

A Monthly Spotlight - Each month they will showcase a standout crew member on their homepage — putting them front and centre for production companies actively hiring.

Middling Connect hope that their laser-focus on the Midlands will help across the local film community. "We know this region has the talent, the locations, and the ambition to rival anywhere in the UK". What it needs is infrastructure — and that's what Middling Connect hopes to provide.

To get involved you can get membership at £5 a month — cancel anytime, no contracts. So whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, if you're based in the Midlands and work in film and TV, this could be the community for you.

Find out more and sign up here: https://middlingconnect.co.uk