New Film And Television Studio Opens Near Carlisle To Support Cumbria’s Creative Sector
A new film and television studio near Carlisle has opened with the aim of strengthening Cumbria’s creative industry and supporting productions in the region.
Lake District Film Studios is based at Crofton Hall in Thursby and has been established by Carlisle based filmmaker and producer Ben Phoenix. The facility officially opened following a launch event bringing together people working across Cumbria’s film and creative sectors.
The new studio has been created to address a long standing gap in local production infrastructure. Cumbria regularly attracts television and film productions because of its distinctive landscapes, but local industry professionals have previously had limited access to dedicated facilities within the county.
Ben Phoenix has worked in film production across the UK for around 20 years and also owns production company NEXI Media. He previously established a green screen studio in Birmingham in 2012, where he worked on commercials, television projects, music videos and independent films.
After moving to Cumbria, Phoenix identified an opportunity to develop a production facility that could serve both local creatives and external production companies. He said the lack of infrastructure could make it difficult for people from the area to build long term careers in the industry without moving to larger cities.
The new studio is intended to provide a base where productions can work within Cumbria rather than bringing all their equipment, personnel and facilities from elsewhere. The aim is also to encourage local cast and crew to remain in the county while creating opportunities for new production work.
The facility contains two separate studio spaces designed for a range of uses. It includes a green screen infinity cove, a production studio, a dedicated podcast and photography space, together with equipment available for hire.
Studio One covers around 650 square feet and provides a flexible production floor. It is designed for film and television work as well as commercial productions and content creation, with enough space for a single room set build.
The main studio also includes a green screen facility that can be used for special and visual effects work. A kitchen set is available for lifestyle and cooking productions, providing another option for television and commercial projects.
Studio Two covers approximately 450 square feet and has been arranged to support podcast recording, photography, product sessions and smaller set builds. The space is also available to local businesses and members of the creative community.
Alongside the physical studios, the business offers cameras, lighting, podcast, streaming and grip equipment for production teams to rent. A crewing service is also being developed to help connect productions with people working in the local industry.
The facility has already secured its first booking from a Saudi Arabian news channel, which plans to record an interview at the studio. The early booking provides an example of how the facility can be used by organisations outside Cumbria while operating from a local production base.
The launch event also included a panel discussion featuring Cumbrian filmmakers Lyndsey Walker, Stuart Armstrong and Chris Armstrong. The discussion focused on the creative sector in Cumbria and the opportunities and challenges facing people working in film and television.
Walker, a writer, director and producer, has worked on several productions and is currently involved as line producer and first assistant director on the feature film Pendragon. Stuart Armstrong is a writer director whose Cumbria set comedy short Meat Raffle has been shown on Channel 4, while Chris Armstrong works as a director of photography and producer.
The launch also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of stronger creative networks across the county. Walker said Cumbria attracts large productions because of its locations but needs additional infrastructure and connections if companies are to establish a longer term presence in the region.
The studio's development also comes alongside calls for the Cumberland Film Office to accelerate plans supporting the local screen sector. Phoenix said the studio could provide one part of a wider network required to build a sustainable film industry in Cumbria.
The business hopes to develop a stronger local database of cast and crew as its operations expand. Phoenix also wants the studio to eventually support productions created within Cumbria, rather than simply providing facilities for companies visiting the area.
The opening marks an early stage in those ambitions, with the current facility deliberately focused on a manageable scale. The studios are not intended to compete immediately with major production complexes, but instead provide practical facilities suited to smaller productions, commercial work, podcasts and selected requirements of larger projects.
For local businesses and creative professionals, the second studio provides an additional space that can be used for photography, podcasts and product content. This could allow companies to access professional production facilities without needing to travel outside the county.
The wider ambition is to demonstrate that Cumbria can provide more of the infrastructure required by visiting productions while also supporting people who already live and work in the area. The studio's development therefore combines commercial production with an emphasis on developing the county's own creative workforce.
Phoenix hopes the facility can contribute to a stronger screen industry over the coming years. Longer term plans include expanding the local talent base, building a reliable crew network and potentially producing television programmes and other projects from the studio itself.
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