Move over Hollywood, British film production is well and truly on the map as the owners of Shinfield Studios in Berkshire have announced that all 18 of their next-gen film studios will soon be fully operational and ready to fulfil the ambitious aspirations of both home-grown and international film producers. 

Even operating at part capacity, the studios have already hosted many renowned media companies, including Disney and Sony, as well as a number of discerning media streaming clients. This facility is likely to not only attract filmmaking talent from across the globe to UK shores but to create exciting new jobs and career development opportunities for local workers and provide contracts to various supporting sectors including the construction industry. 

The unprecedented boom of the UK's film industry

Not only is Shinfield Studios testament to the confidence that the film industry has in the future of British film production, but recent reports that Universal Studios has acquired the Bedford Brickworks with plans to convert it to a theme park are generating a real buzz.

Universal Studios already have theme parks dotted around the world. Other than its internationally acclaimed Orlando site, it also boasts attractions in Japan and China, all of which deliver an immersive experience, create thousands of jobs, represent an immense boost to the local economy and provide long-term job security for local people. 

The world renowned film producer is committed to protecting the natural ecology of its sites and has promised that all relevant consents and consultation will be undertaken, should the decision be made to proceed with building a UK-based theme park on the outskirts of London.

Specialist infrastructure 

The UK's film industry boom can only succeed with the right collaborations and infrastructure in place, and this is where the construction industry plays its part. Creating modern, attractive and practical infrastructure that can accommodate the ever-changing needs of filmmaking for the modern world requires a flexible approach and a commitment to excellence.

Not only is the construction industry engaged in building film studios and theme parks but also in developing appropriate supporting infrastructure such as soundstages, post-production facilities and accommodation for cast and crew members. Seamlessly integrating all of these elements is essential for the successful completion of any film industry construction project. 

Economic impact of supporting the UK's filmmaking endeavours

It is no secret that the film industry generates impressive revenue through increased tourist interest and spending, the creation of local jobs and the development of communities. By using a combination of traditional and modern channels, appealing to a wide cultural cross-section of society and leveraging its creative output, the UK film industry makes a significant contribution to the country's economy.

As ambitious development plans continue to be tabled, it is likely that demand for skilled construction workers will only continue to grow, and to meet this demand, the construction industry needs to take action now. It is essential that construction is promoted as a viable and exciting career option to those still in education, that grants and attractive financial incentives are offered to those seeking to change career paths and that experienced construction personnel are appropriately incentivised to remain in role. 

It is likely that the need for candidates to possess green skills will continue to dominate as filmmakers will be required to contribute to the country's Net Zero targets through incorporating sustainable and environmentally conscious measures into their proposals. These will likely include measures such as reusing existing materials, minimising landfill waste, selecting sustainable building materials and incorporating sustainable solutions for heating, cooling and ventilating buildings. 

By actively recruiting personnel with green skills and providing ongoing training to existing workers, the UK's construction industry will be able to support filmmakers with their exciting new endeavours, playing a pivotal role in complying with legal requirements and industry standards and enabling these ambitious projects to complete successfully within their time, cost and quality parameters.

In conclusion, the UK film industry boom offers many benefits to the construction industry, and in particular, those organisations supporting the planning, development and implementation of these and other similar builds. By fully committing to support these ambitious proposals, the UK will become a premier destination for media moguls and globally acclaimed filmmakers.