UH Student News

The University of Hertfordshire is set to launch Propeller Stage One, an advanced film studio designed to provide high-level training in creative and technical skills to meet the burgeoning demands of the film and TV industry. This initiative comes in response to the BFI UK Skills Review’s prediction of 21,000 new jobs needed in the creative sector by 2025.

Propeller Stage One aims to replicate major film studio standards, enhancing Hertfordshire’s reputation as a leading film hub. The county, already a premier filming location with productions such as Barbie, Eastenders, The Crown, Jurassic World, and Harry Potter, houses major studios including Elstree, Warner Brothers Leavesden, Sky, and BBC Studioworks. The new studio, in partnership with Hertfordshire Film Office and Screen Hertfordshire, will further support the local TV and film industry.

The studio, developed by Dr. Stephen Partridge and Adam Morley, will also focus on aiding students from under-represented backgrounds, offering them crucial opportunities in the competitive film sector. Propeller Stage One will provide commercial studio space at reduced rates for productions that include student participation, covering areas from production design to visual effects.

Dr. Stephen Partridge, Dean of Creative Arts at the University of Hertfordshire, noted, “Propeller Stage One addresses critical skills gaps in the sector, aligning training across various disciplines to meet the demand for over 21,000 new jobs in the region.”

The project will feature an integrated training program designed to prepare students for various roles in film and TV production. Professor Wendy Wills, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, emphasized the initiative’s role in providing practical experience and enhancing regional productivity.

In collaboration with Hertfordshire Film Office and Screen Hertfordshire, Propeller Stage One is a significant step in strengthening Hertfordshire’s status as a global filmmaking destination. Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE, and Adrian Hawkins OBE of Hertfordshire Futures both expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its potential to drive regional growth and industry development.