Insight 40 - Magazine - Page 34
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE TO LAUNCH
REVOLUTIONARY NEW FILM STUDIO AIMED AT
TACKLING SECTOR’S INCREASING SKILLS GAP
A
groundbreaking, new film studio
designed to deliver high-quality,
creative, technical skills training
for the county’s booming film and TV
sector is being launched by the University
of Hertfordshire following a major
collaborative effort.
According to the latest BFI UK Skills
Review, an additional 21,000 full-time jobs
will be required in the creative and screen
industry by 2025. Propeller Stage One – as
the University’s studio project, intended
to be one of a series of ‘Propeller’ filmtraining stages, will be known - will
combine a state-of-the-art operation
replicating major film studio standards,
with industry-relevant and -quality
training to meet both substantially
growing workforce demands and help
cement Hertfordshire’s reputation as the
UK’s “Hollywood”.
Currently the UK’s number one filming
destination - with the world’s highest
grossing film of the last year, Barbie,
having been produced in Hertfordshire,
alongside high-end television soaps and
series, from Eastenders to The Crown,
and film productions including Jurassic
World and the Harry Potter franchise
being based here as a result of homing
five major film studios - Elstree, Warner
Brothers, Leavesden (WBSL), Sky and
BBC Studioworks - the county is already a
major production hotbed.
The Propeller film stage project is a
first-of-its-kind concept to support this
burgeoning industry and wider local
economy. Conceived by Dean of Creative
Arts at the University of Hertfordshire,
Dr Stephen Partridge, and Adam
Morley, Creative Industries and Culture
Sector Lead for the county council, and
developed by a major collaborative
group of industry, council and Further
Education (FE) providers, its designed to
34
be an innovative solution to the TV and
film’s industry’s increasing education and
training needs.
Dr. Stephen Partridge, Dean of Creative
Arts at the University of Hertfordshire
said: “Our Propeller stage is innovative
in bringing together multiple skills and
trades to bridge conspicuous skills gaps
across the sector, working closely with FE
providers from across the county.
“The breadth and depth of talent is being
aligned across many different curriculum
areas to meet a need for more than 21,000
jobs to be filled over the coming years,
concentrated in this region, adding terrific
value for those seeking careers in the film
and television industries.”
Offering a working, commercial film studio
for independent production companies
to hire at a significantly reduced rate
if opportunities for students studying
at Herts are facilitated, it’s integrated
training programme will support students
to develop skills and experience in a
generous scope of disciplines required to
bIZ4BIZ INSIGHT MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2024
make films and television programmes
from beginning to end.
These will include production design,
set build and other related trades, studio
and location-based production, catering,
sound design, visual effects, editing and
post-production, film finance, business
planning, promotion and sales and
distribution.
Another essential aspect of the
Propeller film stages project is its
commitment to supporting students
from underprivileged backgrounds.
The project aims to provide all
Hertfordshire students, whatever their
background, with the necessary tools
and opportunities to succeed in the
highly competitive film and television
industries.
Dr Partridge added: “Propeller Stage
One will ensure that Herts graduates,
whatever their background, are
among the most skilled and prepared
professionals entering the workforce,
ready to meet the demands of a thriving