Universal invests in Power Gems for new Elstree Studios
Power Gems has been supplying high speed electronic ballasts to NBCUniversal USA for the last 20 years. So, when sister company Sky announced plans to expand and develop their UK production facility in Elstree, it was only a matter of time before they stocked up on EB1812Ps.
NBCUniversal USA will be servicing the new stages being built by Sky, another Comcast-owned company, at Elstree in north London. Read more: Sky to build huge new Elstree film studio
Customised EB1812P Power Gems ballast for Universal Production Services
Sky’s Hollywood-style TV and film studios, Sky Studios Elstree, is set to become a major production facility when it opens in 2022, featuring 14 stages and creating over 2,000 jobs. Sky has increased investment in original production in the face of stiff competition from Netflix and Amazon. The company which has enjoyed major success with Chernobyl and Patrick Melrose, has unveiled plans to double its production budget to £1billion.
Elstree Studios itself is set to expand, with two new stages, workshops and offices at its site at Borehamwood.
The new stages will be built on the former Big Brother studio site.
Together Sky Studios Elstree and Elstree Studios will provide at least 20 TV and film stages. The arrival of Universal Production services on site has meant that many more TV and film production companies have access to the latest Power Gems lighting equipment.
Of the latest development, Patrick McGuane says:
“Over the last twenty years I’ve seen the UK film studios get smaller, like back in the ‘90s when Elstree almost closed, but it feels like we’re on the brink of a massive upturn. The investment by Sky will help create a hub which can only have a positive knock-on effect. There are a number of other projects we’re in the middle of having discussions with, to supply high-quality productions.”
Image from Sky Studios Elstree
