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Oct 09, 2023

New UK VP facility to boost creative economy in south

By AV Magazine in Broadcast and media, Production, UK&I June 8, 2023 0

By AV Magazine in Broadcast and media, Production, UK&I June 8, 2023 0

Eastbourne's Racquet Studios, which houses an Absen LED volume, will provide opportunities for film and TV production, education and technical innovation in the south east of England.

A new facility for virtual film production, education and specialist research and development has opened in south-east England.

Racquet Studios, in Eastbourne, has been developed to support businesses and production companies to produce world-class content, while creating a progressive creative economy, bringing investment, education and skilled year-round jobs to the region.

The complex's facilities include spaces measuring 28m by 17m and 23m by 16m, which are fully sound-proofed and offer three-phase power and air conditioning. They feature fibre and HD-SDI patching.

Racquet Studios’ HQ houses an Absen LED volume, with high-speed internet, a large green screen cove and peripheral outboard equipment. Any equipment that may need to be hired can be supplied by nearby rental houses.

The image-based lighting running within the Absen volume is provided by a combination of Litepanels and Quasar Science products. High-output Gemini 1×1 RGBWW LED panels have been paired with Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow multi-pixel linear LEDs to offer automated lighting alongside ambient lighting effects to augment the virtual set.

The facility is suited to film and high-end TV production, while offering advertisers, games developers, live-event and content creators access to the latest virtual production technologies and talent.

Racquet Studios has also teamed up with local and national education partners including the British Film Institute and East Sussex College, as well as hardware manufacturers including Canon Europe, Quasar Science and Litepanels, to deliver a comprehensive training programme on all aspects of traditional and contemporary filmmaking.

The programme will address the skills gap in virtual film production and mocap, offering further/higher-education placements and apprenticeships. Along with courses in virtual production management, production management for screen, audio and virtual production, the programme will include a series of CPD courses across emerging technologies in the sector.

Practical training will be complemented by a full audience development programme, masterclasses and live streams, with a focus on young and disadvantaged audiences.

The production facility aims to build on Eastbourne's heritage as a location for film and TV shoots – scenes for James Bond and Harry Potter films have been filmed in the area – by bolstering the opportunities for hybrid productions in the region. Racquet Studios offers a potential hybrid filmmaking solution, marrying physical location shooting with its creative facility to guarantee the weather, time of day and light.

Racquet Studios managing director Simon Skinner said: "The project has been developed to drive virtual film production, technological development and skills in the south east. Working with our tech and education partners, Racquet Studios will deliver a centre of excellence to expand the evolution of specialist solutions for creative industries.

"The experienced team at Raquet Studios is on hand for all of its clients and partners to ensure an excellent experience with market-leading results, while developing a pipeline of skills to develop the next generation of creatives. Whether you’re in film, high-end episodic TV, broadcast, gaming, advertising, music, fashion or other creative industries, Racquet Studios is the perfect space for your next production."