Shinfield Studios, due to become the UK’s largest film and TV studio development, is nearing completion of its final construction phase. 
 

Thirteen soundstages are now available, with the figure rising to 18 by early next year. The overall complex due to complete in Q1 2024 comprises 1 million sq ft, with 38 workshops, office space and a 9-acre backlot.
 

The studios have hosted several HETV projects already, including productions from Disney, Sony and US SVoDs. 
 

Nick Smith, joint managing director, Shinfield Studios, said: “Shinfield Studios now looks just like the plans we put to paper several years ago. Not only does it feel like a slice of Hollywood in Berkshire, it also offers producers everything that we promised. That’s to say a modern studio facility that has been carefully designed from the ground-up to meet all the needs of the most ambitious film and HETV productions. We really have considered every detail.” 
 

Fellow joint managing director, Ian Johnson, added: “We had always planned for Shinfield Studios to make a significant contribution to both the UK creative industry and the community in Berkshire. As it visibly takes shape, we’re also working behind the scenes to bring a substantial and varied range of opportunities to local people.  
 

“We’ve just begun taking our first steps tapping into the local community to build our own team, as well as contributing to industry efforts to develop skills and training opportunities through our work as a funding partner of Screen Berkshire.” 

The 18 sound stages range from 17,000 to 43,000 sq. ft., with up to 50 ft. working height clearance and, all feature two elephant doors per stage. From the full-length overhead gantries, up to one tonne of weight can be hung per each 6m runway beam. There are accessible toilet facilities available on each stage and every floor of the offices. Each office floor also offers an accessible kitchen. A large canteen known as ‘The Hub’ will be part of the site and has been designed to be supplemented by external catering facilities for the very largest productions.

Shinfield Studios is owned by US-based Shadowbox Studios (“Shadowbox”), a studio platform that owns, and operates purpose-built, soundstage facilities and provides a range of on-site support services for its clients. In Atlanta, Shadowbox owns and operates a 9-stage, 850,000 sq ft studio complex that has been home to blockbusters such as Jumanji: The Next Level, Jungle Cruise and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and which is currently being expanded to exceed 2 million sq ft and feature up to 31 soundstages.

In addition, Shadowbox is developing a large-scale soundstage campus in the LA metro area. Shadowbox is owned and controlled by affiliates of Commonwealth Asset Management and Silver Lake.  

You can find more on Shinfield Studios on p20 of our shiny new edition of World of Studios UK. 

External images via Earth Grid; interior image via Shinfield Studios.