Elstree Studios to get new film stage

The CrownElstree 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

 



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