Member Article

North East's largest commercial green screen studio officially launches

The North East’s creative, film and video marketing industries are set to benefit via the launch of a green screen studio.

Gateshead-based Jam Jar Studios, which features a 1,200 sq ft state of the art, commercial film and TV studio and houses a range of creative and digital businesses, looks set to fill the void that has stifled the region’s film and marketing industry.

Based in a former working men’s club, Jam Jar studios is the brainchild of entrepreneur Chris Taylor, founder and commercial director of video marketing agency Superkrush.

Increasingly frustrated by the lack of commercial green screen studio space available to film companies in the north east, Taylor set about looking for premises he could transform in to a state of the art studio which would also accommodate the expanding Superkrush team.

Established in 2001, Superkrush, a video marketing agency which produces film and video content for some of the region’s leading businesses and marketing firms, has often been forced to take its business outside of the region in to studios in the north west and across the border.

And as demand for video content has increased significantly in recent years, Taylor believes that the limited commercial facilities here in the north east have curbed the industry’s growth potential.

Chris said: “In the past only big businesses would invest in film but in recent years, thanks to the growth of sharing platforms, film has become an integral part of the marketing mix and more and more companies now require value for money, quality film and video content.

“Marketing campaigns no longer require one off, hugely expensive TV commercials but require a series of different films, appropriate for use across traditional and online platforms but to do so cost effectively requires green screen facilities, which are in short supply in the region.

“We are very excited about having a TV Studio with supporting facilities, such as a controlled lighting rig, full sound-proofing and editing suites as this allows us to control our film shoots which means we can be more innovative and cost effective.”

He added: “We know there is a real industry need for such facilities and expect it to be a well-used by production companies and marketing professionals alike.

Jam Jar Studios is now home to both Superkrush and a number of other digital and creative businesses who have transformed the former derelict social club in to a creative hub for businesses on the south bank of the river Tyne.

Councillor Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council, officially launched Jam Jar Studios, praising the efforts of Superkrush for its investment in the town and the transformation of a derelict building into a state-of-the-art facility that enhances the exciting mix of property now available to businesses in Gateshead.

He said: “This is a fantastic facility, which I know will be a real asset to the industry. Gateshead is becoming the location of choice for many digital and creative businesses in our region and the Council will continue to do everything we can to facilitate the growth of the sector here. I’m proud to add Jam Jar Studios to our portfolio of first-class creative studios.”

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