viewpoint virtual studios
It’s as familiar as your own back garden. It’s a
place where we have witnessed some
outstanding visual events. And it’s a place that is
almost never the same twice. Where? Pinewood
and Shepperton Studios, which this year
received the BAFTA for Outstanding British
Contribution to Cinema. Robert Taffurelli reports.
A virtual space
A
warded annually, the Quantum of Solace. Not to mention Cookalong Live at the studios. We also
award for Outstanding current successes such as Mamma get a regular stream of business from
British Contribution to Mia! and Oscar favourite Slumdog the music and commercials sectors.”
Cinema was introduced in Millionaire. It is in these sectors in particular
1978 and is presented in In a notoriously competitive market, that digital set technology is
honour of Michael Balcon. Pinewood and Shepperton Studios are continuing to have an impact. The
The first recipients were the special clearly doing something right. “Our traditional craft of set building is, likeVirtual sets
visual effects team for Superman, Studios host the best quality sound so many production processes, coming
are playing a
while other noteworthy recipients stages, globally unique water filming under increased threat from digital
larger role
include Kevin Brownlow, Mike Leigh, facilities, a wealth of specialist technology and while this threat may
Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Lewis
than ever in
production resources and easy access not be a new one, the combination of
Gilbert, Channel Four Films, production
TV
to the world’s most experienced falling costs and an increasingly
manager Joyce Herlihy and stuntman production, crews,” said Andrew M Smith, group unstable economic climate is.
Vic Armstrong. With such a distinctive corporate affairs director. “We Virtual sets are playing a larger role
with sports
and diverse list the BAFTA recognises represent Europe’s leading facilities than ever in TV production, with sports
programming
not only the contribution Pinewood where revered filmmakers continue to programming at the forefront of this
Studios has made to British cinema,
at the
explore and challenge the art of what digital world - both building elaborate
but also the impressive 75-year
forefront of
is possible on the silver screen.” permanent sets and taking systems on
heritage the studio has, making it
this digital
Competition is, however, intense. the road to quickly put together a set
synonymous with world class British Travel just a few miles from Pinewood for a particular sporting event. world - both
and international productions. and you’ll fall upon 3 Mills Studios. One of the leaders in the field is
building
“Pinewood and Shepperton Studios With 14 stages on a 20-acre secure Orad. Established in 1993, the
elaborate
have been at the creative heart of site and over 200 production offices, company centred its operations
British filmmaking for over 70 years,”
permanent
dressing and make-up rooms, around virtual studios and virtual
said Finola Dwyer, chair of BAFTA’s film
sets and
workshops, prop stores and a advertisements in sporting events.
committee. “This award recognises the taking restaurant, the studio is the largest in “Orad was actually one of the
role they have played in bringing to London. While feature film work pioneers in the virtual studio domain
systems on
life some of the most memorable and continues to be a large part of the and introduced this concept to the
the road to
iconic images in cinema history.” studio’s business, television and broadcast world,” said Ofir Benovici,
Together with Shepperton, its one-
quickly put
commercial productions are vice president of marketing. “Since
time rival turned partner studio, they
together a
increasingly playing a larger part in then, the company has expanded its
have been home to some of the most
set for a
the life of 3 Mills Studios. “Ideally we business and line of products, and
successful, critically acclaimed and try to maintain a good mix of now provides end-to-end solutions forparticular
award winning feature films made. productions from all sectors,” said any real-time graphic need; ranging
sporting
Highlights include: The African Queen, Derek Watts, studio executive. “Over from news, branding, live sport
event.
David Lean’s Great Expectations, Dr the past year we have experienced far events, elections, weather, virtual
Strangelove, Superman, Alien, The more enquiries from TV productions studios, and so on.”
Shining, Gandhi and, most recently, for reality/LE shows which have So, what advantages do virtual
The Bourne Ultimatum and 20 of the resulted in programmes such as Hell’s studios offer over more traditional
22 Bonds, including Casino Royale and Kitchen and Gordon Ramsey: studios? “The main advantage is cost
10 l ibe l march/april 2009 l www.ibeweb.com
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