INDUSTRY STUDIOS
says sales director Beth Gallagher. “There is no doubt that the industry has started to feel a lot busier, and certainly our site is buzzing with activity in every corner.” Rachel Morrison, studio director at Farnborough International Studios, acknowledges that things have been challenging of late – especially in terms of what’s being commissioned. “There’s lots of top-tier stuff, and there’s definitely exciting bits in the indie sector, but that middle band – which would be our bread and butter – there’s less of that around,” she says. “Things aren’t necessarily being commissioned, and there’s more reliance on known brands and formats – which doesn’t necessarily help the studio sector as such. The strikes affected us far more than anybody expected.” But she too sees green shoots – particularly on the indie filmmaking side. “Being part of the journey for productions just starting out and emerging artists is amazing,” she enthuses. “But obviously they don’t have the same budgets as some of our previous clients. So it’s hard, and budgets are really being squeezed.” A COST-CONSCIOUS LANDSCAPE Now, more than ever, producers are keeping a close eye on the bottom line and seeking maximum value for money from their studio partners. Morrison stresses the need to seriously look at the added extras that a studio can offer; whether that’s ticking sustainability boxes or having a strong network to tap into to help clients save time and money. For some productions, outsourcing the search entirely makes sense – which is where services like The Studio Finder step in. Launched by Emma Norris in 2022, the company takes the hassle out of hunting for facilities, acting as a referral network that directly connects filmmakers, creatives and broadcasters with studios that fit their specific needs, whether that’s a green screen, sound stage,
FINDING YOU A HOME The Studio Finder helps match productions with suitable studio spaces
broadcast facility or something bespoke. “Going direct can work if you already know exactly what’s out there, but the reality is that the UK studio landscape is broad, varied and constantly changing,” Norris asserts. “The Studio Finder gives productions access to a curated network and insider knowledge. We can save time by narrowing down options that match your budget, technical requirements and schedule. Plus, we can often open doors to facilities that you might not even know existed. And because our service is free to productions, it’s no-risk.” When productions are seeking studio partners, Norris shares that, beyond obvious factors such as location and price, other aspects, like ceiling height, soundproofing, access for large sets and power availability are often underestimated. “Flexibility is another – a slightly less obvious space might offer better availability or more adaptable facilities. The other pitfall is underestimating the value of the studio’s
in-house team – a well-run studio with experienced staff can save productions time, stress and money,” she advises. For productions feeling the budget pinch, she offers some further words of wisdom: “Look slightly outside the main locations and be flexible with dates, as you can find great facilities at better rates. Certain studios are also open to creative deals or resource-sharing to make budgets work.” Meanwhile, Shinfield Studios’ Beth Gallagher points to one of the biggest current drains on production budgets: the cost of power. “That’s worthy of additional research and discussion,” she recommends. “I’m glad we can help in this area by removing the need for generators in our new stages, helping to keep power budgets under control. “Ultimately, working with a studio who is a true operational partner, that has an experienced team with a background in production, is important. You need a partner who will operate efficiently alongside production and help keep things on track. Producers need studio partners who are looking around corners and flagging potential issues.” SHIFTING CLIENTS, SHIFTING PRIORITIES Studios are also seeing changes in their client bases. At Farnborough, they’re seeing more online platforms exploring
A WELL-RUN STUDIO CAN SAVE YOU time, stress and money ”
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