Development Framework For Pinewood Studios Introduction to the ...

Development FrameworkFor Pinewood StudiosPinewood as it is nowCurrent site activityHow is land used at Pinewood?Summary of site constraintsSince 2010 Pinewood has been working at fullstretch with a number of film contracts being turneddown due to lack of capacity. Research by AmionConsulting, outlined elsewhere in this exhibition,suggests that demand from Pinewood’s existingclient base will soon reach the equivalent of five‘blockbusters’ to be produced within the same year,quite possibly simultaneously.Currently the site can typically accommodateproduction of two major films at any one time, thoughthis requires complex logistics and results in areduction in the efficiency of activities.The map to the right illustrates how land ispresently used at Pinewood. This shows that, whilethere is some space within the site available fordevelopment, it is very limited. The impression ofopenness is misleading, as the back-lots, trailer andcar parks are much needed studio assets.Stages, Film& TV StudiosWorkshopsOfficesThese are the core facilities hired on aweekly basis for film and tv productions.There is currently not enough stage andstudio space to allow more than twolarge budget films to be produced at thesame time.The workshops are used to create setsand props. They are spread throughoutthe site close to the stages. There iscurrently not enough workshop space toallow more than two large budget filmsto be produced simultaneously.Offices are used by a wide variety ofbusiness including those working on filmand tv production, permanent anchortenants and SMEs, most of whom aredirectly linked to the creative industries.- Pinewood Studios opened in 1936 and soonbecame the most prolific film studio of this era.Its inception predated the Green Belt by over adecade.- The current site is partly Green Belt and partlynon- Green Belt. That part which is in the GreenBelt is used for temporary sets and installationsor forms part of the parkland.- All permanent development is located on land thatis not part of the Green Belt, but was ‘ring-fenced’in recognition of the studios precedence.- Some of the Green Belt land is used as “back-lots”where temporary facilities are constructed.2012 Breakdown of businesses based atPinewood Studios - by sector30%serviceproviders1% agents43%equipmentproviders13%productioncompanies13%productioncraftsBack-lotsParking &logisticsPost ProductionThese large areas provide essentialspace for film producers to buildtemporary sets, create flexible workingareas and to park cars and trailers inclose proximity to the set.The film industry uses technologyextensively and this requires space foron site logistics, car parking and hardstanding.Post production facilities provide editing,special effects, sound-track and otherelements to refine captured film footage.It uses many digital technologies.- The use of this land is considered critical to thestudio’s film-making capabilities.- Almost all land on the existing, ring-fenced site isin use already, be in built upon, back-lot, parking,circulation or other use. There is potential foradditional built development as infill, however it isfairly limited, and does not permit either the likelyscope or arrangement of the new facilities to beas required.- It is possible that some land can be used moreefficiently. Property Consultants CBRE arecarrying out audits of the existing land use toadvise on this. Some of the information that hascome to light as regards user requirements isshown in this exhibition.Further breakdown of on-site serviceproviders5%marketing4%insurance4%health & safety13%financial3%security5%travel23%on siteservcie2%transport3%catering15%construction22% creative2%freightAmenities& ServicesRetainedWoodland &FormalGardensThese range from security services torecreation, cafe and canteen facilities.The studios need to be self sufficientto achieve efficient use of time andfacilities.Elements of retained woodland arescattered across the site, but the majorarea of green space is the garden to thesouth of the site. The garden are usedfor filming - recently the village in HarryPotter and exterior sets for Snow Whiteand the Huntsman have been beenfilmed here.- It is possible that some buildings can bedemolished to allow more efficient development.CBRE are also considering this.- The potential for new development withinthe existing site will be closely considered asthis would reduce the scale and impact of thedevelopment framework.- A further piece of analysis is being carried outwith respect to the consented 2006 Masterplan.The next board looks into this in more depth.