3 Mills Studios

Entrance gate to 3 Mills Studios in August 2016

The site of a former distillery in Three Mills became a dedicated centre for film and television production with the establishment in the 1980s of Bow Studios, Three Mills Island Studios, and Edwin Shirley Productions. In the mid-1990s the three studios merged to become 3 Mills Studios, under the management of Workspace Group.^[3]

In August 2004, the London Development Agency acquired 3 Mills Studios. As parent organisation of the Creative London agency, the LDA's role included supporting business and skills, researching industry needs, and promoting London for film-making.^[4] The site is now one of London's most important film and television studios.

Ownership transferred to the London Legacy Development Corporation in 2010. The Legacy Company is the organisation responsible for planning, developing, and managing the Olympic Park after the London 2012 Games.^[5][6]

Facilities

3 Mills Studios has over 75,000 square feet (6,967.72 square metres) of filming space, including 9 filming stages and 2 theatrical rehearsal stages. Stage 7 at 13,483 square feet (1,252.63 square metres) is the largest, while Stage 2 at 3,219 square feet (299.07 square metres) is the smallest.^[7][8]

The 10,437 square feet (969.64 square metres) Stage 5 has a similar floor size to the Royal Albert Hall.^[9]

Of the 9 rehearsal rooms, Rehearsal Room 6 at 2,507 square feet (232.9 square metres) is the largest. Rehearsal Room 3 at 280.9 square feet (26.1 square metres) is the smallest.^[10]

3 Mills Studios has over 170 production offices ranging from 151 to 2,700 square feet (14.02 to 250.83 square metres), 4 prop stores ranging from 712 to 1,319 square feet (66.14 to 122.53 square metres), 8 make-up rooms, and 12 dressing rooms.^[11][12][13]

Credits

Many feature films have been made at 3 Mills Studios, including: Attack the Block, Berberian Sound Studio, Eastern Promises, Frankenweenie, Fantastic Mr Fox, Corpse Bride, ill Manors, Powder Room, Made in Dagenham, Never Let Me Go, Sunshine, Trance, 28 Days Later, and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Television shows made on-site include: Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live, Million Pound Drop Live, Stand Up to Cancer, Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy, Bad Girls, London's Burning, Jekyll and Hyde, and MasterChef.

Many stars from the music world have rehearsed, filmed music videos, or advertising campaigns at 3 Mills Studios, including: One Direction, Tinie Tempah, Justin Bieber, Jessie J, Paloma Faith, Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, Nicole Scherzinger, Kasabian, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, The Saturdays, and Olly Murs.

Other clients include: Raymond Gubbay Limited, Shakespeare's Globe, English National Ballet, English National Opera, Versace, Audi, Waitrose, Nissan, Gillette, Samsung, Gucci, Topshop, B&Q, and Adidas.^{[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

3 Mills Studios also housed many rehearsals for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies.

References