London plans city’s biggest film studio
Authorities in London are considering plans to build what would potentially be the capital’s largest film studio facility.
By Nick Goundry 7 Oct 2016
Authorities in London are considering plans to build what would potentially be the capital’s largest film studio facility.
The mayor of London’s office will work with local authorities to initiate a feasibility study into the development of a major new studio in eastern suburb Dagenham next to a business park that is already well-served by public transport.
“London is one of the world’s busiest destinations for the film industry, with international filmmakers making a beeline for our city because they know it offers the very best by way of facilities, expertise and creative talent,” said Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission.
“If realised, this major new infrastructure project would mean a tremendous economic boost for Barking and Dagenham, the capital’s film and TV industries and the UK as a whole.”
A Dagenham facility would complement existing London studios like Ealing, 3 Mills and Twickenham.
Major UK film studio facilities Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden are based outside the capital and both are engaged in long-term expansion plans to help satisfy international demand.
London also encourages the use of adapted warehouse buildings as filming facilities and this is in fact a formal strategy to help the capital host more shoots. High-end TV shows sometimes prefer warehouse filming as the buildings are generally available for longer periods of time at lower costs.
The UK remains one of the top production hubs in the world due to its studio facilities, experienced crews and generous tax credit support. Lucasfilm has based the Star Wars franchise at Pinewood Studios for the past couple of years and additional production facilities on a similar scale could help London attract more big-budget feature shoots.
For more on filming in the UK see our production guide.
“London is one of the world’s busiest destinations for the film industry, with international filmmakers making a beeline for our city because they know it offers the very best by way of facilities, expertise and creative talent,” said Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission.
“If realised, this major new infrastructure project would mean a tremendous economic boost for Barking and Dagenham, the capital’s film and TV industries and the UK as a whole.”
A Dagenham facility would complement existing London studios like Ealing, 3 Mills and Twickenham.
Major UK film studio facilities Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden are based outside the capital and both are engaged in long-term expansion plans to help satisfy international demand.
London also encourages the use of adapted warehouse buildings as filming facilities and this is in fact a formal strategy to help the capital host more shoots. High-end TV shows sometimes prefer warehouse filming as the buildings are generally available for longer periods of time at lower costs.
The UK remains one of the top production hubs in the world due to its studio facilities, experienced crews and generous tax credit support. Lucasfilm has based the Star Wars franchise at Pinewood Studios for the past couple of years and additional production facilities on a similar scale could help London attract more big-budget feature shoots.
For more on filming in the UK see our production guide.
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