Elstree Studios to get new film stage
Elstree Studios in Borehamwood near London has secured planning permission for a new sound stage that will span more than 21,000 sq ft.
The facility already offers nine separate sound stages but began consulting with the production industry two years ago to decide the best use for additional land. The new stage will also have connected office space, workshops and scenery storage.
Elstree Studios is perhaps best known for hosting scenes for George Lucas’ Star Wars films in the late 70s and early 80s, and again for his prequel trilogy from 1999. Indeed, Stage 1 bears the filmmaker’s name.
Star Wars has now shifted to Pinewood Studios for the rebooted franchise, but Elstree has recently hosted movies like Suffragette and Paddington, as well as numerous TV shows including Netflix drama The Crown (pictured) telling the story of the Royal Family in the 20th century.
All the major film studios in and around London are currently expanding to better cater for international demand as the capital sustains its position as one of the world’s top production hubs.
As new purpose-built studios are physically constructed, London also offers a multitude of existing warehouses and industrial sites that can be adapted into production spaces for use for both film and TV shoots.
These facilities are an integral part of the capital’s filmmaking future and can be a more cost-effective option, particularly for high-end TV series.
Image: Alex Bailey/Netflix
Also on The Knowledge
Steven Knight drama showcases West Midlands locations
Steven Knight’s new 1980s-set drama, This Town, filmed at Digbeth Loc. Studios and on locations around the West Midlands.
Blankety Blank wins two more series
Thames has greenlit two more series of revamped game show Blankety Blank for delivery to BBC One.
Peaky Blinders film to shoot in September
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has confirmed that the film version of the period drama is eyeing a September start.
Shepperton expansion opens as Amazon MGM and Netflix move in
The major new expansion of Shepperton Studios is now open with the third series of Prime Video’s The Devil’s Hour now filming.
New film and TV studio to open in Hertfordshire
A new, purpose-built film and TV studio is to open in Hertfordshire this spring, the first high-spec facility in the St Albans area.
Government reveals plans for north-east production powerhouse
Following the announcement during the recent budget that Crown Works Studios in Sunderland would receive up to £120m funding, the Government has released more on its plans for the north-east to become a production powerhouse.