New Media Studio Space Opens In London

A new media studio complex has opened in London. The facility, which is based in SE1, will provide cutting-edge services to media professionals in the city, and to creative industries students at London South Bank University (LSBU).

'Elephant Studios at LSBU' is a £4 million interlinked media space, offering high-specification production facilities at the forefront of digital technologies and multimedia practice.

Specially designed for LSBU arts and creative industries students, it will be available for external hire from summer 2016. The studios were officially opened on 8 February by Lord Michael Grade, television executive and former Chair of the BBC.

Students at LSBU will be able to get hands-on with industry-leading kit, and the use of the studios will be integrated into the university's film, photography, sound and digital design courses, meaning graduates have the best possible employment outcomes in a changing digital media landscape.

Facilities available for use include:
• Film studio: A sound stage studio featuring ARRI cameras, pedestals, green screen, and professional studio lighting grid.
• News studio: Outside phone lines linked to recording facilities for down-the-line interviews, and a sofa area for live broadcast interviews.
• Newsroom: Featuring 42" screen displays, Macbook laptops, Blackmagic video mixer and Soundcraft audio mixer.
• Sound Studio Control Room: A Solid State Logic mixing console integrated with Dolby Atmos sound mixing capability; a selection of vintage analogue and cutting edge digital hardware effects.
• Sound Studio Live Room: Fully treated acoustic room with a selection of professional microphones and foley boxes.
• Screening Room: Digital 5.1 surround screen and speakers, 4K 3D projector and 4K media player.
Edit Suites: Seven fully treated acoustic editing suites with Mac Pros, Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express with industry standard software and network-based editing workflow.
• Grading Suites: Dolby grading monitor and Mac Pro Blackmagic Ultrastudio 4K.
• Photography Studio and Print Lab: The studio features 3m spring pantographs, tripods, reflector kits, drapes and cyclorama, and the print room has seven Mac Pros with colour calibrated displays connected to a range of professional printers as well as a mounting press.
• Radio studio: 4-person talk tables and cardoid microphones, for round table discussions as well as presenter-led shows, phone-ins and down-the-lines.
• Radio Control Room: Talkback, mixer desk and software for scheduling, live and automated broadcasting.

Janet Jones, Dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries, said: "The School of Arts and Creative Industries has a strong and deep heritage in media, design, performance and the visual arts. 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 £84.1bn to the UK economy.

www.lsbu.ac.uk

(JP/LM)