The borough’s creative sector is set for further exciting growth with this year’s biggest live television production in the country, Big Brother, being filmed at Versa Studios in Acton.
The creation of a 14,000 square feet studio space is also underway at Ealing Studios, which is about the same size of 5 tennis courts.
West London and the borough in particular is a major hub for the international and national film and TV industry, attracting major productions like The Crown, Silent Witness, and Gangs of London. The borough has notable history in filmmaking and is home to 9 times more creative manufacturing spaces than the London average, including an increasing number in the Park Royal Creative Enterprise Zone.
A recent report looking into the economic viability of the film and TV industry revealed that west London is now firmly established as a global film and TV destination, and a national centre for the industry’s supply chain.
Local large scale productions
West London is estimated to be home to over 70 film-related companies, and a number of film studios including Ealing Studios, Versa Studios, Island Studios, Klatch Studios, RD Studios, and Garden Studios, to name a few.
Ealing Council leader Peter Mason, and council officers, recently visited Versa Studios in Acton to learn about its expansion to create long-term homes for production clients. The studio will be home to both Big Brother and its spin-off celebrity version.
Charlie Ingall, executive director of Versa Studios said: “Versa’s expansion in London has been part of our ambitious growth strategy, and it further elevates our business as a first choice for large scale, high profile productions such as Big Brother. The expansion gives us the ability to create long-term homes for our clients, and in turn supports the TV and film community.”
Bringing opportunities to the borough
The borough is a highly desirable place to film with a variety of locations and a number of production studios all within easy reach of central London and quick routes out of the capital. International productions are also convenient with Heathrow Airport close by. Productions that choose the borough as their home also benefit from local props, camera rental, make-up, and special effects companies.
As part of Ealing Council, the West London Film Office (WLFO) partners with film production companies and location managers to find and secure local filming locations. Last year it spent 350 filming days supporting several productions, as well as bringing plenty of business opportunities to the area. Ealing was also the most filmed outer London borough for productions shooting on location. You may have spotted familiar places on TV recently, such as Goodhall Street, Acton in Tesco’s Christmas advert last year.
Wherever possible, the WLFO works with major production companies to offer young people valuable work experience on film sets in and around the borough, working as runners and location marshalls.
Unleashing west London’s potential
As the industrial heartland of the capital, west London is already the place that many small and medium-sized businesses choose to start up and grow, and has an economy which is large, diverse, and increasingly competitive in high-growth sectors. However, new research shows that it has the potential to go much further with a more ‘polycentric’ approach to economic growth in London – distributing growth across the entire capital instead of just focusing on the City and harnessing the potential of London’s sub-regions, like the west.
Councillor Mason said: “We want all parts of London to be as vibrant and dynamic as the heart of the city. That starts with understanding what we are good at. With our borough’s historic role in the film industry, and the large scale investment in facilities from studios such as Ealing Studios and Versa Studios in recent months, Ealing is set to lead the way with film and TV and the wider creative sector for years to come. We will continue to work to support the industry to thrive here.
“We are working directly with our studios, the Reel Park Royal community, Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, University of West London (UWL), West London Business, and neighbouring boroughs, to map and promote the sector across west London. We are funding this work to help raise the profile of west London’s film heritage and maximise the potential supply chain and job opportunities for local people.”
Creative businesses strengthened together
Last year, the film and TV industry employed 43,000 workers in west London, accounting for 36% of London’s workforce in the sector. One third of employment in the creative sector is made up of film and TV related roles in west London, a significant proportion compared to the capital at just over 12%.
With key institutions such as the MetFilm School and London School of Film, Media and Design at UWL, the borough is home to a talented local workforce. The Ealing Film Festival is now in its sixth year and continues to be a showcase for both emerging and established filmmakers.
Ealing Council’s jobs and skills strategy is poised to further support growth in job opportunities, aiming to cement the borough as the £11billion commercial engine of west London. It focuses on priority sectors likely to see substantial expansion, which includes the creative sector.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, added: “Our borough is the beating heart of the UK film and TV production industry, in particular to companies which provide production support – including lighting, cameras, sets, catering, and much more. We have highlighted the creative sector as a priority for growth, as it has the potential to create more good, well paid jobs for local people.
“Through our creative sector forum, we’re supporting local creative businesses to strengthen their relationships with one another, where services, resources and knowledge are exchanged across the sector.”
Get involved
Are you part of a creative organisation or industry? Get involved in the council’s creative sector forum and have the chance to promote your services to industry leaders and investors, learn about support initiatives available, share your views on the industry’s future, and more. Email invest@ealing.gov.uk to express your interest.
