Garden Studios doubles its footage to meet demand

New site now includes a virtual production studio powered by Unreal Engine

Garden Studios has announced that it has increased its size and expanded by a further 65,000 sq ft, providing a total of 127,000 sq ft of studio space. This is more than double the original site.

Now known as The Orchid Production Village, the new site will be available from next month and comprises eleven serviced offices, two shooting spaces (totaling 40,000 sq.ft) and a 16,000 sq.ft workshop. This is in addition to the already existing three soundstages, three shooting spaces, four large fully equipped production offices and workshop units.

The new creative hub offers some of the best facilities whether shooting a feature film, television production, short-form promo, video game, commercial or music video. Located in Park Royal, Central London, the studio is just seven miles from Soho, and a short cycle for the many creative West Londoners, this innovative facility provides a convenient and creative haven for international talent.

Garden Studios have also announced the provision of a virtual production stage that is now fully operational and open for bookings. Powered by Unreal Engine, the world-class virtual production stage is 4,800 sq ft and offers a flexible, safe, and socially distanced shooting environment which is a sustainable and cost-effective filming option that opens up unlimited creative possibilities.

Virtual production allows filmmakers to shoot live action footage within a pre-visualised virtual world. 3D modelling and camera tracking places actors and props in virtual settings, removing the need to apply CGI in post-production. Real-time editing means environments and locations can be customised with the touch of a button.

Garden Studios has collaborated with industry experts including:

• Mo-Sys Engineering: An advanced image robotics and virtual production technology company
• Brompton Technology: Manufacturers & suppliers of market-leading and award-winning Tessera LED processors for LED panels and video walls
• ProCam Take 2: Europe’s leading digital cinematography hire facility
• Quite Brilliant: A multi-discipline agency specialising in virtual production
• ROE Visual Europe: An award-winning LED display technology manufacturer

Garden Studios are now ready to embrace clients and accommodate all film, television and virtual production bookings. The doors are open.

Studio Manager, Marnie Keeling, said: “We are excited to expand our site, this enables us to accommodate a wider scale of clients, providing options from shooting spaces, workshop and production offices through to soundstages. Garden Studios intend to create impact across the industry through innovation, technology and world class sound stages. In addition to this our virtual production stage allows you to shoot anywhere in the world all from the comfort of our studio. We’re thrilled to support future, traditional and virtual filmmaking.’’

Founder and CEO of Garden Studios, Thomas Hoegh, said: “The UK’s increased popularity as a filming destination means that expanding our studio capacity is now more essential than ever. We can accommodate all size productions across our 127,000 sq ft of sound stages, workshops and fully equipped production offices. While the virtual production stage allows you to shoot anywhere in the world all from the comfort of our London studio. We are looking forward to welcoming productions and seeing the innovative creations they produce.”

Mark Pilborough-Skinner, Virtual Production Supervisor, said: “Virtual production is the natural successor to greenscreen and a sure staple of the film industry for years to come. We have worked incredibly hard - with some of the best industry minds - to develop a studio with impeccable workflow and infinite possibilities.”