Film and TV studios

Film and TV studios

With industry leading experience, we’ve established ourselves as a go-to firm for studio clients, where we act on all legal aspects of real estate transactions and operations for film and television studios.

When working with our Studios group, you’ll also gain access to the expertise of our entire real estate team, including Construction, Planning, Real Estate Tax, Real Estate Disputes, Corporate and Real Estate Finance. So whatever your concern or challenge, we have the expertise onboard to advise.

Whether you’re looking to start or expand in the UK, we are committed to providing you exceptional results.

Here’s how we can help

Acquisition and development: We have acted for both investors and studio occupiers in acquiring existing studio sites as well as new developments. We provide support for all aspects of studio construction, development and expansion, as well as providing input in relation to their precedent documentation. We have also acted for investors in sale and leaseback deals involving studio sites.

Studio construction and expansion: We have significant experience in drafting all types of construction documentation in relation to studio developments, including building contracts, professional team appointments and warranties. We are familiar with industry requirements relating to sound stages and supporting infrastructure, and have a wealth of experience advising on how to structure construction documents to enable large studio projects to be developed in phases. We have also provided advice in relation to planning permission to expand studios, including negotiating section 106 agreements.

MLAs and location agreements: We have acted for studio clients taking long term leases of both studio operated facilities and of studios to operate as self-managed facilities. We have also advised both production companies and property owners in relation to location agreements for internal and exterior shoots. Whether it is a couple of days on location or a couple of years for a series, we can help.

Studio management and talent: We are experienced in studio specific requirements and practicalities, including advising on studio regulations and stage hire agreements. Our team can assist with employment related issues, commercial contracts and tenancy agreements for talent.

Industrial to studio conversions: We have acted for studio clients in relation to taking leases of industrial and logistics space to convert into self-operated studios. Alongside the core real estate support in relation to the transaction documents, we can assist with the works contracts required to adapt the landlord’s base build and your fit-out.

Key experience

Big Five major Hollywood studio

We’re advising one of the Big Five major Hollywood studios in relation to their UK real estate needs, including advising on their HQ relocation into pre-let space in Central London and associated disposal of their previous premises. Advice was also given in relation to their fit out, including the building contract, appointments and warranties. We are also giving real estate advice to a group company in relation to strategic options for their UK film and tv studio, and acting for a television production company within the wider client group in relation to their office relocation to the West End of London.

Acquisition of landmark film studio

We acted on the acquisition of a historic UK film studio for a major Hollywood client. We’re now advising in relation to the master planning and construction aspects of its expansion, including for multiple new sound stages.

Major international streaming service

We’re advising a major international streaming service on all of their UK film and TV studio and office requirements. Recent highlights include acting on long term leases of both third party-operated and self-managed studio facilities, as well as acquiring industrial and logistics space for conversion to studios. The deals involved negotiating the full spectrum of real estate documents where we utilised our deep experience of studio specific requirements and practicalities. We’re also advising on the leasehold acquisition of a Central London HQ building comprising c.87,000 square feet. In addition to transactional real estate support, we’re dealing with various works contracts required to adapt landlord’s base build and implement tenant fit out, planning advice on pre-lets, and corporate tax issues.

Production company office HQ

We’ve supported a British a television production company in relation to their office relocation to the West End of London. In addition to negotiating the leasing documents, we have also advised in relation to the fit out of the space. As part of the over all transaction, we’ve advised on the exit from their previous premises.

Studio investment

We’ve acted for an investor in the acquisition of a heritage film studio, which was structured as a sale and lease back to the existing studio operator.

London post production facility

We’ve advised a major Hollywood studio in relation to the 25,000 square foot relocation of its award winning audio post production house, to a brand new home in Soho, London. Working in partnership with the landlord, a new world class sound and picture post production facility has been developed.

On location with productions

We’ve acted on behalf of a major UK production behind a long running BBC drama providing support in relation to their location agreements. This includes a recent relocation of their main on location site.

Meet our team

Glenn Dunn
Glenn Dunn

Partner, Head of Corporate Occupiers and Tenants