Film Case: Pinewood Studios Group

Case: The Pinewood Studios Group

Few can beat the Pinewood Studios Group when it comes to flying the flag for the UK film industry. Comprising the Pinewood, Shepperton and Teddington studio complexes, it is a world leader in film production, playing host to huge blockbuster films as well as smaller independent pictures. The Group also has a thriving business in producing television shows, commercials, video games and pop promos.

Andrew Smith, Director of Strategy and Communications, says:

“The Pinewood Studios Group is Europe’s leading studio complex. We have hosted large productions such as the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall, Snow White and the Huntsman, Prometheus,Pirates of the Caribbean and Les Misérables, as well as lots of smaller British independent films, such as The Iron Lady, The Woman in Black and Jane Eyre. Recent TV productions that have used the Studios’ facilities include Would I Lie To You, The Rob Brydon Show, Don’t Stop Me Now, Love Machine, The Magicians and Got to Dance.

“People want to be at Pinewood – it’s a great place to do business. Thanks to the UK’s tax credit system, we can offer an attractive fiscal environment, we have unique infrastructure, including the Underwater Stage, the only one of its kind in the world, and the 007 Stage, one of the largest stages globally.

“Skills are also incredibly important. The UK and Pinewood have an abundance of film-industry talent, not just in front of the camera, but also behind the scenes – the wigmakers, the carpenters, the modelmakers etc. We excel in virtually every discipline that you will see in the closing credits of a film. It also helps that we have about 300 separate, independent creative companies based at Pinewood and Shepperton.

“That certainty of knowing that everything is here is very attractive to international filmmakers. They can be sure that when they come to the UK or Pinewood to make a film, it will be done on time and to a high standard. That’s why the UK film industry is enjoying record levels of inward investment.”

He concludes:

“Such is the Group’s success that we are now in consultation to develop Pinewood Studios, with the aim of increasing the number of stages, workshops and production offices. If this is done, we will have the capacity to make four large films at a time, rather than the two we can do at present. This will prove a big draw to global filmmakers.”

www.pinewoodgroup.com