Joining the Dots - Or Around the World in 80 Studios

Tom Walsh, ADG President

The University of Nottingham in the UK has begun a programme of research projects, industry engagements with leading practitioners and partnerships with major studios to build the kind of research capacity and skill-base that are necessary to help filmmakers and studios alike build a more stable, sustainable and productive environment within which to work.

As their first research project they asked a 'simple' question: what is the role of traditional studio space in the digital age? The question has emerged out of debates around the introduction of digital technologies coupled with recent large investment in traditional spaces of production (see Warner technologies coupled with recent large investment in traditional spaces of production (see Warner investment in Leavesden in the UK, Cinecitta' revamping of their Rome's studios, Pinewood opening studios in several countries, and the remarkable success of WETA in New Zealand).

By looking at key studios 'models' around the world, what they have in common and what differentiates them, and how studio production is changing the project provides a snapshot of what the future may have in store for studio production models, its infrastructures and how these may impact on the dynamics of filmmaking.

The Director of the University's new research center, Dr. Gianluca Sergi, was the guest speaker at a The Director of the University's new research center, Dr. Gianluca Sergi, was the guest speaker at a roundtable discussion about future trends in global studio production and infrastructures, hosted at the Art Directors Guild, Wednesday evening, November 9, 2011.

Gianluca Sergi is the Director of the Institute for Screen Industries Research and teaches Film and TV at the University of Nottingham in the UK.

He has researched and published widely on contemporary cinema, filmmaking practices and filmmakers. Major publications include three books: The Dolby Era (2004), Making Films in Contemporary three books: The Dolby Era (2004), Making Films in Contemporary Hollywood (2005) and Cinema Entertainment (2009),and a book-length industry white paper, Studios and Space of Production in the Digital Era: Global Challenges and Local Opportunities for the Screen Industry (2011).

In 2011 he designed and coordinated the launch of the PRISE initiative (Production and Research Innovation for Screen Enterprises), which is aimed at developing Nottingham and Enterprises), which is aimed at developing Nottingham and the surrounding region into a pioneering hub for screen industry innovation and production opportunities.

Gianluca Sergi