Hertsmere’s film and television sector takes the spotlight during shadow ministerial visit

The opportunity to showcase Hertsmere’s premier place in the film and television sector has been seized during a shadow ministerial visit to the borough’s three high-profile studios. 

At the invitation of the Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, the Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Thangam Debbonaire, received a guided tour of Elstree Studios, owned by Hertsmere Borough Council, which was followed up by visits to Sky Studios Elstree and BBC Elstree.

During her three-part visit on Thursday (14 December), Ms Debbonaire was guided around the Strictly Come Dancing stage, received an exciting tour of the Wicked set at Sky Studios Elstree and was treated to a visit to Eastenders’ Albert Square at BBC Elstree.

Cllr Newmark explained: “The Shadow Secretary of State’s visit is one of a series we are co-ordinating for senior politicians from across the party spectrum to help to further cement our place as a hub for the creative sector.  These showcasing tours also enable us to convey how we can be supported by government in the longer term to deliver on our exciting plans for the future.  

“I take every opportunity to talk to key politicians, such as Ms Debbonaire, about the need for further investment from both the public and private sector to enable the industry to continue to flourish and of our wish to see more consistency from government on tax relief. 

“I also made it clear that the current government’s position on business rates for studios makes life extremely challenging for the sector, as well as stressing the positive impact on the local economy this thriving sector brings for our borough.”

Rebecca Hawkes, Acting Head of Elstree Studios added: “It was a privilege to welcome Ms. Debbonaire to Elstree Studios. Ms. Debbonaire’s enthusiasm and passion for film and television was incredibly exciting. The visit provided an opportunity for us to discuss the crucial role that the creative industries play in shaping the economic and cultural landscape of the UK.

“At Elstree Studios we are incredibly proud of our illustrious heritage and remain committed to fostering an environment that nurtures creativity, innovation and diversity. We look forward to continued collaboration with central government and the shared pursuit of a vibrant and flourishing cultural landscape for the creative industries.”

Thangam Debbonaire, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Film and TV production are so important to the regional economies of places like Hertfordshire, providing quality jobs for generations of families. It was great to talk with Councillor Newmark as well as the people in front of and behind the camera to explore the support they need to unleash the full potential of the film and TV sector.”

Click here to watch a video of the visit to the studios.

Elstree Film Studios are pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Hawkes as Consultant Operations Director.

Rebecca takes over from Chris Denmead, who will be looking to pursue new opportunities within the industry. An industry veteran of both Post Production and Distribution, Rebecca has most recently been consulting with LA based NextGen Production, with a focus on Virtual Production.

Chairman of Elstree Film Studios, Morris Bright MBE welcomed the appointment of Rebecca and said:

“We are delighted to have someone with great industry expertise joining us at Elstree at such an important time in our history. I know she will bring with her not just expertise but a bounding enthusiasm to ensure that EFS remains at the forefront of film and tv in the times ahead”.

An even brighter future for the borough’s film and TV industry is in store with the completion of the two new soundstages at Elstree Studios.   

The Platinum Stages, named in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s jubilee year, have recently been completed, seeing the culmination of a multi-million pound investment in the studios’ future.

The stages have a combined workable footprint of 3,210 square metres, about half the size of a professional football pitch. Clad in innovative timber cassettes, the new stages have been designed to meet international space standards in studio design and can be used as two separate stages or a combined super-sized one. The stages will create hundreds of new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities.

Chairman of Elstree Studios’ Board of Directors and Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Cllr Morris Bright MBE, commented: “I’m delighted to see this construction project completed and excited to see the stages fully operational very soon. The stages are among the best in the industry and keep our studios as a top destination for television and film production in the world.”

The stages are a £15.6m project part-funded by Hertsmere Borough Council and the government’s Getting Building Fund via Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

David Conway, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP’s Film & TV Industry Panel, said: “As part of our work to further reinforce Hertfordshire’s position as the vanguard of UK film and TV, we’re delighted that funding secured by the Local Enterprise Partnership will help accelerate the growth of the sector locally, providing a host of economic benefits.”

With production space in such high demand, the Platinum Stages will attract new studio business and bigger projects to the county, supporting local jobs and the vast network of SMEs that form the supply chain to the sector.”

The project saw close collaboration between Hertsmere Borough Council, main contractors RG Carter, BAQUS Construction and Property Consultancy, B & K Structures and Rubner.

Dean Hall, Director at R G Carter, said: “We’re delighted to announce the completion of The Platinum Stages which will enhance the UK’s growing creative industry. These state-of-the-art soundstages are an exciting development for the area, and it has been a pleasure working with Hertsmere Borough Council and Elstree Studios in supporting their ambitious plans. We look forward to seeing the full potential of the specialist facility, both on and off-screen, for many years to come.”

Photo (Left) courtesy of RG Carter

BBC Studioworks is strengthening its partnership with Elstree Studios with significant investment being made across the facility.

The improvements, which include dressing room refurbishments, improved accessibility across the associated areas and a complete redecoration in terms of flooring, wall protection and corridors within the areas operated by BBC Studioworks, will enhance the environment and experience for those who work at Elstree and for the production companies who record across the site.

BBC Studioworks has also extended its lease meaning it will continue to operate Stages 8 and 9 until March 2029. It will also take full control of the sound stage, George Lucas Stage Two, for three years until December 2024.

Aligning with work already underway at Elstree Studios, both parties have committed to all three Stages being net zero by 2030. Considerable improvements to help reduce the environmental impact of the facility, including a new heating system and new dock doors are already in progress with further plans to follow.

“We’ve enjoyed nine fantastic years at Elstree Studios, and with the raft of planned improvements, we’re committed to providing a first-class customer experience here for years to come, said Jon Noakes, Commercial Director, BBC Studioworks. “We’re confident the investment being made will significantly upgrade and modernise the site ensuring it remains a market-leading facility in which to produce award-winning TV.”

Elstree Studios Acting Managing Director, Chris Denmead said “This extended agreement is great news for Elstree, reconfirming our commitment to terrestrial TV and having a mixture of formats on the site. The long-term commitment from both sides gives Elstree the ability to invest in and modernise its facilities whilst concentrating on sustainable solutions and maintaining its position as a market leading facility.”

BBC Studioworks set up operation at Elstree Studios in 2013 to temporarily house parts of its business while Television Centre was being redeveloped. The facility has proved a resounding success with some of the nation’s most loved and watched shows being delivered there. These include BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Would I Lie to You?’ and ‘Pointless’, ITV’s ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Chase’, Sky Max’s ‘A League of Their Own’ and ITV2’s ‘Celebrity Juice’ and ‘Don’t Hate the Playaz’.

The expansion of Elstree Studios reached a major milestone this week as work was completed on the outer structures of the two new soundstages. 

Contractors RG Carter finished work on the roof and walls of the two soundstages and ancillary workshops, now known as The Platinum Stages. Helping to secure the final bolt in place on the roof of the stages was Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Anne Swerling. Also in attendance to mark the moment were the MP for Hertsmere, the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE; Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and chairman of Elstree Studios Board of Directors, Cllr Morris Bright MBE; Managing Director of Hertsmere Borough Council, Sajida Bijle; Executive Director of Hertsmere Borough Council, Peter Geraghty; Acting Managing Director at Elstree Studios, Chris Denmead and board member of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, David Conway.

The two new soundstages, which have a combined workable footprint of 34,556 square feet, about half the size of a professional football pitch, and stand at a workable height of 45.6 feet, are designed to meet international space standards in studio design. The facilities, which are clad in innovative timber cassettes, can be used as two separate stages or a combined super-sized one and will provide a state-of-the-art environment for film and television production. Once operational, the stages will create hundreds of new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities for local school leavers and the unemployed.

Cllr Swerling said:

“I felt honoured to be asked to help put the finishing touches to the new Platinum Stages at this milestone moment for the project, Elstree Studios and the borough as a whole.

“Standing inside the new stages is quite an awe-inspiring and formidable feeling. I was very much struck by the incredible amount of work that has gone on to get this project so far.

“Thank you to everyone involved for their sterling efforts to make what a year or so ago was a plan on paper, now a reality.”

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chairman of the Elstree Studios Board, said:

“We’re fast moving towards the completion of this exciting and inspirational project – and I’m pleased to say that thanks to the efforts of all our partners, we’re on target to reach the deadline of a spring opening.

“The new Platinum Stages represent not just a major investment for the studios, they represent a token of faith in our borough and the UK’s film and television production industry, as a whole.

“Coupled with the creation of the multi-million pound Sky Studios Elstree down the road, this project reinforces Hertsmere’s status as the number-one home for film and TV production.

“It means that Hertsmere well and truly deserves to be known as ‘British Hollywood’, something we should all feel proud about.”

The £15.6 million project, on the site of the former Big Brother house, has been funded by Hertsmere Borough Council and a £6 million Getting Building Fund investment from the government via Hertfordshire LEP.

Rental income received by the council from the stages will be used to fund local services, though £100,000 has been earmarked for investment into creative industries, including local media and creative enterprise and initiatives.

The name for the stages was selected from more than 400 entries in a two-week national competition held at the end of last year.

Oliver Dowden MP said:

“It was a great pleasure to mark a key milestone for Elstree Studios’ new Platinum Stages at their topping out ceremony.

“These state-of-the-art soundstages will allow the studios to expand its range of hit shows filmed here in Elstree, building on recent successes such as Netflix’s The Crown and Sky Atlantic’s Gangs of London.

“The expansion of Elstree Studios – completed with a combination of funding from Hertsmere Council and government investment – is further confirmation of Hertsmere’s status as a world-leading hotbed for film and TV production.

“With construction set to be completed in record time, this is a great example of our local council and national government working together to strengthen our creative industries.

“I am delighted to see such strong progress on the project and look forward to the opening of the new stages later this year.’

David Conway, Chief Financial and Operations Officer at ITN and Hertfordshire LEP Board Member, said:

“As someone who is very familiar with the history, revival and growth of Elstree Studios, it was fantastic to see the progression of the new sound stages alongside the major productions already being filmed here.

“The addition of the stages will further enhance the offering, reputation and lure of the UK’s answer to Hollywood here in Hertfordshire.

“The wider benefits to Hertfordshire’s residents and its economy were also a key factor in the decision to award LEP funding. Hertfordshire already holds a competitive advantage in producing film and TV, which we wanted to help supercharge.”

Paul Hutchinson, Director at R G Carter, said:

“It was a pleasure to be able to welcome so many key stakeholders and provide a first proper look at this wonderful new building.

“We are extremely proud of our collaborative partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council and Elstree Studios and are looking forward to completing this exciting specialist facility that will not only benefit the growing creative sector, but also provide the local community with fantastic opportunities.”

The £900m Getting Building Fund was announced in August 2020 to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across the country. It supports the delivery of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, selected by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Mayoral Combined Authorities and endorsed by the Housing Secretary, to fuel local recovery and kickstart economic growth amidst the pandemic.

A name for Elstree Studios’ landmark new soundstages has been chosen after more than 400 suggestions were submitted by residents and film and television fans nationwide.

Entries inspired by icons of the silver screen and leading lights in the TV and film industry, as well as those honouring local heroes and based on filmic references to screen classics such as Star Wars, Big Brother and Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, all produced on-site, were submitted during a two-week public competition run by Elstree Studios, in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council.

The winning entry, PLATINUM STAGES was submitted by Matt Payne, aged 43, of London and chosen by the Board of Directors of Elstree Studios and the Mayor of Hertsmere, Councillor Anne Swerling.

Matt will receive two VIP passes to the launch of the new soundstages next spring, a tour of the studios and lunch at the on-site Rushes restaurant. He will also receive an Elstree Studios hoodie, goodie bag and range of merchandise.

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, Leader of the council and chairman of the Elstree Studios board, said:

“We had some really quite imaginative and very note-worthy suggestions.

“Among those shortlisted were The Skywalker Stages, Kubrick’s Overlook Stages, The Paul Welsh Stages in honour of one of our foremost studio champions, and The Centenary Stages, in recognition of the studios’ near 100-year history.

“The reason the board and Mayor of Hertsmere chose Platinum is because it works on so many levels. Obviously, platinum has connotations of high value and exclusivity – which aligns perfectly with the cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art specifications of this facility.

“But it’s also appropriate because the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is taking place next year, just when these new soundstages will be opening. This auspicious occasion will be a moment for the whole nation to come together and celebrate all that has been and all that is to come for the country.

“Locally, it makes absolute sense to use the new soundstages to pay tribute to our monarch and the many years of her reign, while looking to the future for TV and film production in Hertsmere that this new addition to our studios represents.”

Cllr Anne Swerling, said:

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to submit their entry to our competition. We were delighted with and quite overwhelmed by the sheer number of entries received. It really is testimony to the genuine public affection out there for Elstree Studios and Hertsmere.

“We really feel that Platinum Stages embodies the borough’s prestigious film and television connections, while also pointing to the exciting possibilities of its future. It’s also a wonderful way to celebrate our Queen and her many years of service to our country.”

 

Work to build two new soundstages and ancillary workshops began earlier this year and is set to finish in spring next year.

The state-of-the-art facility will sit next to The George Lucas stages on the site of the former Big Brother house, which 50 years before that also served as the site for an outdoor effects tank for the film, Moby Dick.

Once operational, the facility will create at least 800 new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities for local school leavers and the unemployed.

The £15.6 million project has been part-funded by Hertsmere Borough Council and the government’s Getting Building Fund via the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

As part of the deal, £100,000 per year from the rental income received by the council will be invested locally into creative industries, including local media and creative enterprise and initiatives.

Elstree Studios, Dreamcatcher Film Camps and Elstree Screen Arts Academy ran the fourth annual Elstree Film Festival (EFF) in the October half term.

After a break in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elstree Studios were thrilled to be relaunching the EFF. The Festival is a free event, sponsored by Elstree Studios, which aims to introduce local school students between the ages of 9 and 14 to the world of film-making, working with industry professionals at the specialist academy, ESA in Borehamwood. Students had the opportunity to make their own short films from scratch, having a go at script-writing, producing, directing and acting.

The week commenced with a masterclass in screenwriting, character development and plot outline before students split into their age appropriate film-making crews in order to begin writing their scripts and planning their mini-productions. ESA allowed pupils the run of its state-of-the-art building which provided the perfect backdrop for the setting of the films.

The week produced 4 fantastic short films: ‘Hide and Seek’, ‘Jingle Bells Die’, ‘The Vanish’ and ‘Murder Backstage’.

Watch the fantastic films that were made here:

Hide and Seek

Jingle Bells… Die

The Vanish

Murder Backstage

Behind the scenes:

Members of the public are being invited to come up with a name for Elstree Studios’ new soundstages, and to be in with a chance to win VIP passes to next year’s opening of the landmark state-of-the-art facility.

Elstree Studios, in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council, are inviting local residents or anyone with a love or interest in film and television, to name the latest addition to the region’s number one TV and Film production centre. The person who submits the winning entry will receive two VIP Passes to the launch of the new soundstages next spring with a tour of the studios and lunch at the on-site Rushes Bar. They will also receive an Elstree Studios hoodie, goodie bag and range of merchandise.

Entries must be submitted via an online form, [link] no later than 5pm on Friday 22 October. Entries will be considered by the Elstree Studios’ Board of Directors and the Mayor of Hertsmere, Councillor Anne Swerling, later this month. The winning suggestion will be announced once the name has been confirmed.

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Elstree Studios Board, said: “Elstree Studios has been the beating heart of our borough for almost 100 years and as a council-owned site, it is literally one that every resident in Hertsmere has a stake in.

“This development of two new soundstages and ancillary workshops will open up a world of opportunities for the studios, for our residents and local businesses and for all who work in or are connected to television and film production.

“We need a name for the state-of-the-art facility that reflects the prestigious status of the studios in TV and film history, and the new and exciting possibilities ahead – something that is both forward-thinking and a nod to our borough’s glorious screen past.

“This is a chance to be part of history and leave your mark on a facility that will be in operation for generations to come.”

Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Anne Swerling, said: “It’s only right that the people who live, work and visit Hertsmere, should get the chance to be part of this milestone in the studios’ and our borough’s history, by giving the new soundstages a name.

“The modern and environmentally sustainable development will sit next to The George Lucas stages on the site of the former Big Brother house, which 50 years before that also served as the site for an outdoor effects tank for the film, Moby Dick. 

“Any name for the soundstages should aptly reflect the borough’s proud film and television connections, and its future. We’re really looking forward to seeing your suggestions.”

Work to build two new soundstages and ancillary workshops began earlier this year and is set to finish in late spring next year.

Once operational, the facility will create at least 800 new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities.

The £15.6million project has been part-funded by Hertsmere Borough Council and the government’s Getting Building Fund via the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

As part of the deal, £100,000 per year from the rental income received by the council will be invested locally into creative industries, including local media and creative enterprise and initiatives.

Brushstroke Make-up and Hair Academy have now opened their brand-new make-up and hair training suites and facilities on site at Elstree Studios. The new facilities open at a time of unprecedented demand for industry-trained craftspeople, driven by a record number of High-End TV productions for UK broadcasters and international streamers, and as the industry bounces back from the COVID-19 Pandemic.  

The training suites are ready for this month’s new intake of students, who will be based in Elstree Studios’ Production Village alongside some the UK’s favourite productions including The Crown and Strictly Come Dancing. 

Voted by The Stage as one of the ‘best training routes for getting into hair and make-up for stage and screen’, Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy has been providing students with best-in-class, accredited make-up courses for over 30 years. Brushstroke graduates have gone on to work on high profile series including Call the Midwife, The Crown and EastEnders. Based in the heart of Hertfordshire’s growing studios and production hub, future graduates will have multiple local employment opportunities on their doorstep.  

Cheraine Bell, Founder and Principal of Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy, said: “We are excited to be welcoming our first intake of students to our new Elstree Academy. Our expansion has come at a time where the UK film industry is booming and the enormous expansion within the North of London. This can only lead to more exciting opportunities for our make-up and hair graduates, and we look forward to following their future success.” 

A Senior Management representative from Elstree Studios said: “We’re thrilled to have the specialist and talented team from Brushstroke on site and to be welcoming their new students. Elstree Studios is keen to support and embrace all training programmes and opportunities for the next generation of the UK Film and TV workforce.” 

Brushstroke’s new academy facilities include: 

-Threelight and spacious make-up and hair studios; 35 workstations in total each with mirrors and lights to provide a realistic and professional learning environment.
-A photographic studio equipped with a camera and monitor for students to view their work on screen and take photos for their portfolios
-Staff and administration offices
-Storerooms for wigs and additional equipment

Elstree Studios is currently constructing two major new 18,000sqft sound stages, as Borehamwood continues to develop and establish itself as a major UK hub for film & television production.  

For more information about the courses at Brushstroke Make-up and Hair Academy:

Visit www.brushstroke.co.uk 

Or e-mail info@brushstroke.co.uk  

This year American production company, Lucasfilm, celebrates its 50^th Anniversary having been founded by visionary filmmaker, George Lucas, in 1971. Lucasfilm is home to some of the world’s favourite film franchises including Star Wars and Indiana Jones as well as other popular films and television shows.

The first three Star Wars films (Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) as well as the first three Indiana Jones films (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade) were all filmed at Elstree Studios including films Willow and Labyrinth. George Lucas’ successful time at Elstree Studios in the 1980s, as well as his support for the ‘Save Our Studios’  Campaign in the 1990s, lead to the naming of the ‘George Lucas Stages 1 & 2’, which were opened by HRH Prince Charles in 1999.

This weekend, Elstree Studios partnered with the UK Garrison, a division of the 501^st Legion which is an all-volunteer organisation bringing together Star Wars costume enthusiasts, to host a flag parade in celebration of the 50^th Anniversary. ‘Darth Vader’, ‘Krennic’ and over 20 Stormtroopers in various costume varieties were “welcomed” to the Elstree Studios Lot by Managing Director of Elstree Studios, Roger Morris, who – as a Jedi Knight – ensured that they were kept in order.

The Star Wars flag parade was livestreamed to raise money for Lucasfilm’s chosen charity, FIRST. FIRST aims to engage young people in STEM Education and to encourage the next generation of Science and Technology innovators in over 100 countries around the world.

Roger Morris said: “Elstree Studios is proud to have been the original home of Star Wars – such an important part of our legacy. We welcome this initiative to support education by Lucasfilm and the Star Wars support groups such as 501^st Legion. We hope to do more work with them to raise the profile of the charitable work they do.”

The video link is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAzsewIvDAk

Donations can be made to FIRST here: https://bit.ly/501stCelebrates

Hertsmere has taken one step closer towards cementing its reputation as the ‘British Hollywood’ as construction work on the expansion of Elstree Studios got under way this week.

Work to build two new soundstages and ancillary workshops on the site of the former Big Brother house has begun, after contractors R. G. Carter Construction were awarded the main contract for the £15.6 million project by studio owners Hertsmere Borough Council.  The two new soundstages, once operational, will create at least 800 new jobs, plus apprenticeship and other learning opportunities for local school leavers and the unemployed. As part of the deal, £100,000 per year from the rental income received by the council will be invested locally into creative industries, including local media and creative enterprise and initiatives.

Oliver Dowden CBE, MP for Hertsmere and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, council Leader Cllr Morris Bright MBE and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board member David Conway joined Roger Morris, Managing Director of Elstree Studios to mark the occasion of the main construction work beginning. Enabling works has been underway at the site since earlier this year.

Elstree Studios’ Managing Director, Roger Morris, said: “This is the first new stage build on the Elstree Studios site in over 20 years. It will be there to satisfy client demand for stage space. The new stages will be built to a very high specification, similar to our successful George Lucas stages, and will benefit from the appropriate infrastructure already in place for the Film and TV industry at Elstree Studios. Once built, there will be 9 stages available for clients on site. The new stages are next door to the Elstree Studios backlot currently used by Netflix and Sony Left Bank Pictures’ ‘The Crown’, which is just about to begin filming series 5.”

Councillor Morris Bright MBE, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “This is a thrilling moment for Elstree Studios, its owners, Hertsmere Borough Council and all the partners involved in this project.

“The creation of these two new soundstages and ancillary workshops will result in at least 800 new jobs, plus 120 new learner and apprenticeship opportunities. It represents a huge boost for our local economy and ensures new and exciting opportunities ahead for our residents and businesses. Coupled with the creation of the multi-million pound Sky Studios Elstree down the road, this project reinforces Hertsmere’s status as the number-one home for film and TV production. It means that Hertsmere well and truly deserves to be known as ‘British Hollywood’, something we should all feel proud about.”

Councillors met on Wednesday (19 May) to approve the award of the contract. In addition, councillors agreed to an increase of £2.2 million for the build, mainly due to construction material price increases. Plans for a new electricity sub-station and enhanced acoustics at the site were also approved, bringing the total project cost to £15.6million.

The project has been part-funded by a £6 million Getting Building Fund investment from the government and Hertfordshire LEP.

Oliver Dowden MP said: “It is great to be here today marking the expansion of the Elstree Studios site, as work begins building two new sound stages and ancillary workshops.

“I am thrilled to support this project that will bolster Elstree’s status as the home of UK film and this country’s position as a creative industries superpower. This is a great example of our local council and this Government working together to strengthen our creative industries both here in Hertsmere and nationally. As the council has done its part to support the project, now the Government will deliver the extra £6 million in funding the project needs to get the show on the road.”

David Conway, Hertfordshire LEP Board member, said: “Our investment towards the expansion of Elstree Studios is a major vote of confidence in Hertfordshire’s thriving creative cluster and will not only boost the studio but also the vast network of businesses and multitude of jobs which supports its success.

“It is crucial that we continue to prioritise the development of Hertfordshire’s key growth sectors, particularly those that have been hardest hit by the pandemic, to strengthen the county’s economic bedrock and provide high quality employment opportunities for local residents. Through our £16.8m Getting Building Fund allocation, we are supporting five key projects to boost the county’s high value sector clusters including film and TV, life sciences and smart construction. Collectively, the projects are set to unlock 12,100 sq. m. of commercial space and bring forth up to 1,500 new jobs to accelerate local economic recovery.”

Paul Hutchinson, Director at R G Carter says: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver this exciting specialist facility that will not only benefit the growing creative sector, but also provide the local community with fantastic opportunities. We are looking forward to working in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council and Elstree Studios and supporting their ambitious plans within the British film and TV industry.”

The £900m Getting Building Fund was announced in August 2020 to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across the country. It supports the delivery of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, selected by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Mayoral Combined Authorities and endorsed by the Housing Secretary, to fuel local recovery and kickstart economic growth amidst the pandemic.

The UK’s second Centre of Screen Excellence will be launched in Elstree & Borehamwood, marking another major milestone in the drive to offer relevant opportunities and training to young people who are looking for careers in film and high-end TV.

The industry-led skills body ScreenSkills, Elstree Screen Arts Academy, Elstree Studios and the National Film and Television School have joined forces to create the Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree and offer new craft and tech traineeships for 18 and 19-year-olds in areas of skills need.

The initiative is supported by ScreenSkills with National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI (British Film Institute) as part of the BFI’s Future Film Skills strategy which highlighted the need for 10,000 new recruits into the industry by 2022. Centres of Screen Excellence are designed to bring together local and national partners to build capacity in production hubs with a more inclusive, highly skilled workforce.

Elstree and Borehamwood is an excellent place to develop the initiative which launched with Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire last year. It is home to a number of large studio spaces and production companies including Elstree Studios, Universal Production Services, BBC Elstree, BBC Studioworks and Sky Studios Elstree – opening in 2022. It is also a stone’s throw from Warner Bros Studios Leavesden. These leading creative industry partners are working with Elstree Screen Arts Academy to provide work placements and mentoring in support of the Centre of Screen Excellence traineeship.

The Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree will capitalise on courses in costume, grip, hair and make-up, lighting and production assistant developed with industry practitioners for – and lessons learned from – the pilot Centre of Screen Excellence in Yorkshire. Elstree Screen Arts has also developed its own course in art direction to meet local demand.

Up to 60 places will be available from this September in these six key skills shortage areas and candidates who successfully complete the course will receive a Centre of Screen Excellence UK Craft Skills Certificate.

The courses will provide applied training from Elstree Screen Arts Academy. They will receive specialist technical tuition from partner professionals within the film and TV industry and on-set production placements at world-class studios. Students will also attend two ‘bootcamps’ with the National Film and Television School designed to make them work-ready by preparing them for the specific requirements of working in productions and for freelance life (including tax, invoicing and networking).

The Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree is committed to providing increased access and opportunities to young people currently under-represented within the creative sector.

Roger Morris, Chair and Founder of the ESA and MD of Elstree Studios said:

“I’m delighted to be able to join with ESA and ScreenSkills and the NFTS to provide vocational education and training for the creative industries and to provide young people with industry placements to ensure that they get the hands on training to be employable across our industry.” It is a testament to the team’s hard work at the ESA over the last 8 years that they are now an integral part of this great initiative by Screen Skills and the NFTS for our rapidly expanding Film and TV industry.

Chris Mitchell, Principal at Elstree Screen Arts Academy, said:

“We are so proud to be designated as a UK Centre of Screen Excellence, delivering traineeships at ESA in these in-demand jobs in the screen industry. It’s exactly what we are all about; providing motivated and talented young people from all walks of life with the specialist technical and creative training to break into the film and TV industries. We look forward to some alumni Baftas in the coming years.”

Seetha Kumar, CEO ScreenSkills, said: “The collaboration between all those involved in this new centre is a fantastic example of how working together can create opportunities for young people from a wide variety of backgrounds and support the screen industries with a skilled pipeline of talent. Building an inclusive workforce is embedded in what we do and giving people the right tools to do a job well is an important first ”

Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, said: “This is an exciting step in our strategy to help train a wider workforce for the UK’s rapidly growing film and TV industry, using the first Centre of Excellence in Yorkshire as a blueprint for further centres around the UK. This new centre in Elstree will help the local area to capitalise on the industry’s increasing demand for ”

Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Head of Film and Animation, ScreenSkills and Academy and Bafta Award-winning producer, said: “We are delighted that the Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree will build on the model developed and launched last year in Yorkshire so that young people and their parents and guardians can be confident in the training being offered and film and television benefit from a properly skilled local workforce. I shot both ‘The King’s Speech’ and my film ‘Exam’ at Elstree and am delighted to be continuing the connection by supporting local talent to get into an industry I love.”

ESA’s Promotional Video for the Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GENZX4JALs0

LINKS

Elstree Screen Arts Academy

ScreenSkills

National Film & Television School

BFI

28^th February 2021’s Golden Globes Awards were a huge success for Netflix and Sony Left Bank Pictures’ ‘The Crown’. The Drama following the British Royal Family won: Best Drama Series, Best Television Actress in a Drama Series for Emma Corrin, Best Actor in a Drama Series for Josh O’Connor and Best Supporting Actress (Drama) for Gillian Anderson.

‘The Crown’ released its fourth series on Netflix in November 2020, introducing new characters Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) to the rest of the cast.

Elstree Studios is incredibly proud to be ‘The Crown’s production base, with impressive Buckingham Palace and Downing Street sets, Costume, Props and other creative departments all working on site. Mark Raggett is Supervising Art Director on ‘The Crown’, he said: “We started work on ‘The Crown’ at Elstree Studios in late 2014… The stages [at Elstree Studios] have provided us with permanent space for the interior of Downing Street (cabinet rooms etc.) and the living quarters of the Palace, both upstairs and down.  We often spill onto other stages with sets which vary from the Interior of the Britannia, various newspaper offices and the myriad of plane interiors which transport the Royal family around the globe… Work on Season 5 has already started, what an incredible journey it continues to be.”

Elstree Studios’ Managing Director, Roger Morris, said: “As Mark said it’s an incredible journey and we are proud to play our part as the Studios for The Crown.”

Read more about how ‘The Crown’ is made on site at Elstree Studios here: PRODUCTION OF ‘THE CROWN’ AT ELSTREE STUDIOS

All the team at Elstree Studios were saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Barbara Windsor, aged 83, yesterday evening (10^th December 2020).

Barbara Windsor was admired by many throughout her long and iconic career on stage and screen. She was the Star of 9 ‘Carry On’ films in her early career and later on played ‘Peggy Mitchell’ in ‘EastEnders’. Barbara starred in ‘Crooks in Cloisters’ (1964) and ‘The Boy Friend’ (1971), which were both filmed at Elstree Studios, as well as some scenes of ‘EastEnders’ that were shot on site instead of their usual home at BBC Elstree Centre.

Elstree Studios’ local Film & TV Historian, Paul Welsh said: “It was very sad to hear of the passing of Barbara who I had the pleasure to know for over 30 years. Barbara was much more than the dizzy blonde she played in the Carry-On movies and enjoyed a great career on television and the stage from the West End to Broadway.”

“Barbara was the same off screen and was a people person, always enjoying meeting her fans. I had the pleasure to host a plaque unveiling in her honour at Elstree Studios in 2008, which is now sited outside the Borehamwood railway station. She always joked with me that Elstree Studios burnt down her beloved Queen Vic. Barbara was referring to the fact that the BBC filmed that particular scene at Elstree Studios for EastEnders rather than their own studio, BBC Elstree Centre.

Barbara has left us with such great screen memories and will long be remembered.”

Today, the long-awaited series 4 of ‘The Crown’ has been released on Netflix. The new 10 episodes of the Left Bank Pictures Drama follow Olivia Colman as HRH Queen Elizabeth II in the next chapter of the British monarch’s story. This series sees the return of performances from Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles, Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret and Tobias Menzies as Prince Phillip alongside the debut of new cast members Emma Corrin as Princess Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher.

Whilst ‘The Crown’s production base is at Elstree Studios with impressive Buckingham Palace and Downing Street sets and creative departments working on site, the drama is also filmed on location locally, in the UK and overseas.

Much of the preparation and creative detail that goes into making the series happens on site. We asked a few of the creatives who worked on the new series about what their roles involve and how a busy day working on ‘The Crown’ at Elstree Studios may look…

Giles Gale is Costume Supervisor on ‘The Crown’, he said: “On a busy day at Elstree, ‘The Crown’ might have up to 300 background artists. Most of these will need to be ready for 8am when we start shooting. This means the Crowd Costume team starts work at around 5am. (Half an hour before all the Extras arrive to make sure everything is in place and that everybody knows what they are doing). With such a large call there could be as many as 20 additional Costume staff members to help get people ready and make sure they look correct on camera. No matter how busy it is we always make sure the Costume Crew has time to eat breakfast before shooting commences.

Meanwhile, the Principal Team are getting all the actors ready which can take a similar length of time. Once everyone is dressed and on set as well as shooting the scheduled scenes various teams will be working ahead at the Costume Base also at Elstree. This will involve Principal and Background fittings, setting up costumes for future filming days and logging new purchases and hires. We also have a team of 8 people constantly making costumes for the main cast.

At the end of the day all costumes have to be cleaned and either put aside for future use or returned to our stock or the Costume House they were hired from.”

Mark Raggett is Supervising Art Director on ‘The Crown’, he said: “We started work on ‘The Crown’ at Elstree Studios in late 2014 and here we are six years on about to release Season 4.

In the early days there were a few of us in the art department, with Martin the designer, working out what we might be able to achieve at Elstree.

Production soon followed and it was to became our permanent home.

The backlot allowed us the space to build both the exterior of the Palace and Downing Street, which has served us well over the last 4 Seasons.

The stages have provided us with permanent space for the interior of Downing Street (cabinet rooms etc.) and the living quarters of the Palace, both upstairs and down.  We often spill onto other stages with sets which vary from the Interior of the Britannia, various newspaper offices and the myriad of plane interiors which transport the Royal family around the globe.

Ideally situated as we are near the M25 we are within easy reach of nearby stately homes like Wrotham Park and Hatfield House; also a good starting point when heading off to Blenheim Palace to the north and Wilton House to the West.

Work on Season 5 has already started, what an incredible journey it continues to be.”

Owen Harrison is the Props Supervisor for ‘The Crown’, he said: “On any given day on ‘The Crown’ we can be dressing or striking sets on up to 5/6 different locations. Each one will have a team of 4-8 Prop people there and they can be anywhere in the country, from the very top of Scotland to an airport on the south coast.

Between myself and my Assistant Prop Master Neal Kirke we need to organise the crew for each location, the collection and delivery of all the hired props, stock props that have been purchased for the specific location and work to the time frame the location allows.

I liaise with the location manager for each location to ensure both the location owners are happy with what we’re doing and we achieve what is required for shooting.

Once on site we work with the Set Decorator for the specific set to fulfil their vision to the very high standards we set ourselves and that is necessary for a show such as ‘The Crown’.

It’s always very busy and at times quite challenging but I don’t think we’d like it any other way!

A typical day on ‘The Crown’ Prop Dept can require a combined total of 40 prop men split between 5 or 6 locations and a full-time crew at the Elstree prop store.

Every location can contain multiple sets and exteriors that need to be dressed, filmed then struck and re-instated back to how it was before we arrived. A large percentage of the locations are Stately homes and National Trust properties that come with very specific requirements and strict guidelines so our teams must liaise with the Locations department to ensure that everything runs smoothly during this period.

We have dressed locations throughout the UK and abroad turning Spain into America for Princess Margaret’s visit. Other notable highlights have been recreating Balmoral in Scotland and turning Manchester’s streets into New York for Diana’s visit.

We also have the standing sets at Elstree including the backlot which require dressed and struck each time we film there.

To transform these locations frequently requires several large trucks full of props that Set Dec have selected from the industry’s prop houses. The teams will unload the trucks and carry the props to the correct sets before working with Set Dec to deliver the finished set ready for filming. This will often involve rigging huge chandeliers and hanging 30’ drapes in locations like Lancaster House in London and Wilton House near Salisbury.

This is where our Stand-By-Props take over to work with the director and cast to ensure that each character has the correct props for the scene. An example of this would be the bell the Queen uses in the Audience Room to dismiss the Prime Minister or the paperwork used in the Cabinet room for meetings. There is also Princess Margaret’s vintage luggage that takes up quite a lot of room and the cups of tea served on silver trays and china mugs.

Although we work very closely with Set Dec none of this would be possible without the close co-operation of the other departments including Production, Locations, Construction, Painters, Riggers, Electrical and Wardrobe.”

Roger Morris, Managing Director at Elstree Studios, said: “’The Crown’ is feature film quality; well researched and written, beautifully directed with great cinematography, wonderful costumes and impressive performances. The fact that it is shown in 190 countries is a testament to its success.”

You can now stream all 10 episodes of ‘The Crown’ on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80025678 

Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy is opening a new training facility at Elstree Studios and is currently enrolling for courses starting March and September 2021, relocating from its previous home at Shepperton Studios.

Voted by The Stage as one of the “best training routes for getting into hair and make-up for stage and screen”, Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy has been providing students with top quality accredited make-up courses for over 30 years. Brushstroke is accredited to offer BTEC, ITEC and VTCT qualifications and will soon be offering the HND level 5 qualification.

Cheraine Bell, Founder and Principal of Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy, said: “I am so excited to be opening our new facilities in the world class Elstree Studios. I would never have thought that when I was younger, going into the studios with my father, that I would now be running a make-up and hair academy from here later on in life. I would like to thank Roger Morris and his team for all their help and support and making us feel so welcome.”

Elstree Studios is pleased to welcome Brushstroke Make-up and Hair Academy to the Elstree Studios production village. It provides a great opportunity for aspiring Make-Up Artists or Hair Stylists to be trained at the famous Studios. It also comes as Borehamwood continues to further develop as a major UK ‘Hub for Film & TV production’ with Elstree Studios building two new ‘Super Stages’ giving it 9 stages in all plus a large backlot and with the construction of the new 12-Stage Studio complex, ‘Sky Studios Elstree.’ BBC Elstree Centre, across the road from Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, has recently been refurbished and famously produces weekly TV Dramas ‘Holby City’ and ‘Eastenders’.

Elstree Studios is currently home to productions such as ‘The Crown’, the highly successful Netflix series. BBC Studioworks also has a base at Elstree Studios where it facilitates programmes such as ‘The Chase’, ‘Pointless’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Elstree Studios’ Managing Director, Roger Morris, said: ‘We’re looking forward to welcoming the talented Brushstroke team and future students of Brushstroke Make-Up and Hair Academy. I have known Brushstroke for many years having worked with them previously at Teddington Studios and Shepperton Studios and it’s great to be back working with them again.’

Brushstroke graduate Olivia McMullen said: “I really recommend Brushstroke; the teachers are amazing and I gained so much experience. Since graduating from the 2-year BTEC Make-up and Hair Course, I have worked on ‘MUM’ Series 3 with tutor Juliette Tomes then went straight on to ‘EastEnders’ and I am now working on ‘Call the Midwife.’” Brushstroke has a high success rate of academy alumni going on to have exciting careers within the creative industries, read more success stories like Olivia’s here.

To enquire about the Brushstroke Make-up and Hair Courses for 2021 please visit their website: www.brushstroke.co.uk