Although it's not as big as Hollywood just yet, the UK's film and television industry has really been taking off in the last couple of years. Fortunately, this doesn't also mean forking out thousands of pounds to fly out and film in other countries as the UK also has some amazing studios of its own. Here are some just to name a few.
Warner Bros. Studios - Leavesden, Hertfordshire
Originally an Aerodrome used by airforces all across Hertfordshire, the building was first converted into a filming studio in 1994 in preparation for the filming of the James Bond Film GoldenEye. Since then, the studio has been home to various big name productions such as Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, Sherlock Holmes and all of the Harry Potter films. More recently, the studio have opened up their doors to the public with their Harry Potter Studio Tours which shows the public around an exhibition featuring props and sets from the movie. The Tour is thought to attract over 6000 visitors a day!
Cardington Studios – Bedford
Similar to the Warner Bros. Studios, Cardington Studios is also a former Air Force Station originally used by the RAF until the 1970s. In 1993, planning permission was granted to turn convert some of the sheds into theatrical stagings. Since the studios has produced three Batman films – Batman begins, The dark knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
Aardman Animations - Bristol
Renowned for animations such as Chicken Run, Flushed Away and Wallace and Gromit, The Aardman Animation studios has become famous in the film industry because of its use of stop-motion clay animation techniques. The studio first opened in 1972 and since then has partnered with other companies such a Channel 4 and the BBC to become one of the most well known animation companies across the globe.
3 Mills Studios - London
Based on the site of a former distillery, the 3 mills studios came about after 3 separate film studios had decided to merge in the mid-1990s. The owner states that the sole purpose of the merger was to give London a name in the film-making industry. With productions such as Corpse Bride, Attack the block and 28 days later all calling the studio home, its safe to say that the owner has achieved his goal.
ERIC Tip - These studios are basically where the jobs are! Research their website or try to contact people who work there and ask if you could be sent upcoming opportunities. If you want to know how to find anyone's email, check out this article here.