Multimillion pound media studio opens in SE1
February 9, 2016
By Colin Mann
A new multimillion pound media studio complex has opened in the heart of London, designed to provide cutting-edge facilities to the city’s media professionals and to creative industries students at London South Bank University (LSBU).
‘Elephant Studios at LSBU’ is a £4 million (€5.17m) interlinked media space, offering high-specification production facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice. It has been specially designed for LSBU arts and creative industries students and will be available for external hire from summer 2016. The studios were officially opened on 8 February by television executive and former Chair of the BBC, Lord Michael Grade.
The opening of a new studio complex south of the Thames comes at a time when many studio spaces in London’s traditional media capital Soho are being squeezed out under the pressure of soaring rents. ‘Elephant Studios at LSBU’ brings the latest technology south of the river – providing a hub for media professionals from all disciplines and catering for the evolving needs of London’s thriving media industry.
For students at LSBU, the studios are a chance to get hands-on with industry-leading kit. Use of the studios will be fully integrated into the university’s film, photography, sound and digital design courses, meaning graduates have the best possible employment outcomes in a fast changing digital media landscape.
“The School of Arts and Creative Industries has a strong and deep heritage in media, design, performance and the visual arts,” noted Janet Jones, Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries. “Now our students will have access to the most advanced production technology available ensuring they have the best possible experience and employment outcomes. SE1 is quickly becoming a vibrant, creative hub. Move over Soho, it’s Southwark that will host the next generation of creative talent!”
The opening of the studios follows an announcement from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that the UK Creative Industries are worth £84.1 billion to the UK economy. LSBU’s investment in the new facility is designed to help students build their CV and portfolio, to make sure doors open for them when they graduate.