Editing Pinewood Studios

{{Short description|British film and television studio}}
{{about|the film studios in Britain|other Pinewood Studios|Pinewood Group}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox building
| name                = Pinewood Studios
| image               = Pinewood Studios gateway.jpg
| caption             = Pinewood Studios gateway
| address             = Pinewood Road,<br />Iver,<br />Buckinghamshire,<br />[[SL postcode area|SL0 0NH]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/pinewood-studios/where-we-are|title=Pinewood Studios Address}}</ref>
| location            = [[Iver]], England
| opening             = 30 September 1936<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/about-us/heritage|title=Pinewood Studios Official Opening Date}}</ref>
| owner               = [[Pinewood Group]] (2001–present)
| coordinates         = {{coord|51.548611|-0.535|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| website             = [https://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/pinewood-studios Pinewood Studios]
}}

'''Pinewood Studios''' is a British [[film studio|film]] and television studio located in the village of [[Iver|Iver Heath]], England. It is approximately {{convert|18|mi|km}} west of central London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2015/23/pinewood|title=BBC – Pinewood: 80 Years Of Movie Magic – Centre|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/30/pinewood-studios-announce-record-revenue|title=Pinewood studios announce record revenue|author=Andrew Pulver|work=The Guardian|date=30 June 2015}}</ref>

The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to television programmes, commercials, and pop promos, including the ''[[List of James Bond films|James Bond]]'' and ''[[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]]'' film franchises.

==History==
Pinewood Studios was built on the estate of [[Heatherden Hall]], a large Victorian country house which was purchased by Canadian financier, and [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Brentford and Chiswick (UK Parliament constituency)|Brentford and Chiswick]], Lt. Col. [[Walter Grant Morden|Grant Morden]] (1880–1932). He added refinements such as a ballroom, a [[Victorian Turkish baths|Victorian-style Turkish bath]], and an indoor squash court.  Due to its seclusion, it was used as a discreet meeting place for high-ranking politicians and diplomats; the agreement to create the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] was signed there.

In 1934, building tycoon [[Charles Boot]] (1874–1945) bought the land and turned it into a [[country club]].  The ballroom was converted into a restaurant and many of the bedrooms became furnished suites.

===1930s===
In 1935, millionaire flour magnate [[J. Arthur Rank]] (1888–1972) went into partnership with Boot and they transformed the estate into a film studio. Boot based designs for the studio complex on the latest ideas being employed by film studios in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California. Boot named the new studio Pinewood because "of the number of trees which grow there and because it seemed to suggest something of the American film centre in its second syllable". Construction began in December of that year, with a new stage completed every three weeks. The studios were finished nine months later, having cost £1&nbsp;million (approx. £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK|1000000|1936}}}} at {{Inflation-year|UK-GDP}} prices). Five stages were initially completed and there was provision for an enclosed water tank capable of holding {{convert|65,000|impgal|L}}, which is still in use. In the years that followed, he also undertook further work on both the Pinewood Film Studios and the [[Denham Film Studios]], both of which had by then become a part of the newly-formed [[Rank Organisation]].

On 30 September 1936, the studio complex was officially opened<ref>Patricia Warren ''British Film Studios: An Illustrated History'', London: B.T. Batsford, 2001, p.119</ref> by Dr [[Leslie Burgin]], [[Parliamentary Secretary]] to the [[Board of Trade]]. The first film director to use the facilities was [[Herbert Wilcox]], completing ''[[London Melody]]'' (1937) featuring [[Anna Neagle]] (his wife), portions of which had already been filmed at [[British and Dominions Imperial Studios]] in Elstree, before a fire there halted production. The first film to be made entirely at Pinewood was ''[[Talk of the Devil]]'' (1936), directed by [[Carol Reed]].

There followed a prolific period of Pinewood and British film history, with Pinewood following the studios adopting the "unit system", an American industry practice. That enabled several pictures to be filmed simultaneously and, ultimately, Pinewood achieved the highest output of any studio in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britmovie.co.uk/studios/Pinewood-Studio |title=Pinewood Studio &#124; Home of British Films |publisher=Britmovie |date=30 September 1936 |access-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317133224/http://www.britmovie.co.uk/studios/Pinewood-Studio |archive-date=17 March 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===1940s===
{{Commons category|No. 5 Army Film and Photographic Unit}}
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], Pinewood was requisitioned, and the [[Crown Film Unit]], No. 5 [[Army Film and Photographic Unit]], [[Royal Air Force Film Production Unit]], and Polish Air Force Film Unit were based there. The Crown Film Unit completed many classic wartime documentaries, and [[Roy Boulting]]'s ''[[Desert Victory]]'', [[Humphrey Jennings]]' ''[[Fires Were Started]]'', ''[[Coastal Command (film)|Coastal Command]]'' and [[Pat Jackson]]'s ''[[Western Approaches (film)|Western Approaches]]'' (all 1943) were filmed there during that period. As well as its use by the armed forces, the [[Royal Mint]] and [[Lloyd's of London]] were installed on sound stages at Pinewood, and were open for business for the duration of the war.

[[The Company of Youth]], the Rank Organisation acting school, which launched several film careers, was founded in 1945. The next year, Pinewood re-opened for (non-war-related) business.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Two significant films produced at Pinewood were released within two months of each other in 1948: ''[[Oliver Twist (1948 film)|Oliver Twist]]'', directed by [[David Lean]], and [[Powell and Pressburger]]'s ''[[The Red Shoes (1948 film)|The Red Shoes]]''. Due to a shortfall in funds, brought about by financial overspends the previous year, Rank did not have enough money to market ''The Red Shoes'' sufficiently at first in the US, but it became Rank's biggest earner up to that point, grossing over £1&nbsp;million by 1951 (the equivalent of £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|1000000|1951}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK-GDP}} terms).<ref name="Wood">{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Alan |date= 23 February 1952 | title=The Inside Story of Mr. Rank | work=Everybody's Weekly | url=http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/Rank/Everybodys.html | access-date=1 January 2008}}</ref>

In the same year, [[John Davis (British businessman)|John Davis]] was appointed managing director.<ref name="Clement">John Clement [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-sir-john-davis-1482174.html Obituary: Sir John Davis], ''The Independent'', 1 July 1993</ref> By the following year, [[Rank Organisation|Rank]] had run up an overdraft of £16&nbsp;million<ref name="Warren">Patricia Warren ''British Fiklm Studios: An Illusrtrated History'', London: B. T. Batsford, 2001, p.120</ref> (the equivalent of £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|16000000|1949}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK-GDP}}), and announced a loss of £3.5 million,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18474161 |title=Film Industry Slipping Out of the Big Money. |newspaper=[[The Sunday Herald (Sydney)|The Sunday Herald]] |location=Sydney |date=1 January 1950 |access-date=7 July 2012 |page=7 Supplement: Features |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> mainly due to big budget flops. One of the largest of these had been ''[[Caesar and Cleopatra (film)|Caesar and Cleopatra]]'' (1945), which was originally budgeted at £250,000, but which eventually cost £1,278,000 (the equivalent of £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|1278000|1945}}}} in {{Inflation-year|UK-GDP}}).<ref name="Wood"/>

===1950s===
The ''[[Doctor (film series)|Doctor]]'' film series, produced by [[Betty Box]] and directed by [[Ralph Thomas]], began with ''[[Doctor in the House (film)|Doctor in the House]]'' (1954), the most successful film at the box-office of its year in Great Britain. All of the ''Doctor'' films, running until 1970, were shot at Pinewood. The [[Carry On (franchise)|''Carry On'' franchise]] began in 1958, produced on behalf of Rank by [[Peter Rogers]] (who was married to Box), and directed by [[Gerald Thomas]] (brother of Ralph). The [[Norman Wisdom]] comedies, the last of which was released in 1966, were also filmed at the facility.<ref name="GuardianObit">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/05/sir-norman-wisdom-obituary|title=Sir Norman Wisdom obituary|date=5 October 2010|access-date=6 October 2010|work=The Guardian | location=London | first=Stephen | last=Dixon}}</ref>

===1960s===
[[File:Goldfinger Avenue at Pinewood Studios.png|thumb|right|400px|Goldfinger Avenue]]
During the 1960s, Pinewood was no longer solely dependent on the Rank Organisation to fill its stages. "Renters" (producers hiring the sound stages for a film-by-film agreement) were using half of the stages as Pinewood turned into a [[four walls (filmmaking)|four walls]] facility.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bloom Walden |first=Kiri |title=British Film Studios |publisher=Shire Publications |year=2013 |pages=47–48}}</ref> The [[James Bond in film|James Bond]] franchise began at Pinewood with [[Terence Young (director)|Terence Young]] directing ''[[Dr. No (film)|Dr. No]]'' (1962), and has continued to be based at the studios since then.

J. Arthur Rank (by then Lord Rank) retired as chairman in 1962 and was succeeded by John Davis, who had begun to move the Rank Organisation away from mass film production and towards more profitable and less risky businesses such as bingo and holidays.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===1970s===
During the 1970s, Pinewood studios were being used more for television programmes, including [[ITC Entertainment]]'s ''[[UFO (British TV series)|UFO]]'' (1970), ''[[The Persuaders!]]'' (1971), starring [[Tony Curtis]] and [[Roger Moore]], and ''[[Space: 1999]]'' (1975–1977). Major films shot at Pinewood included ''[[Fiddler on the Roof (film)|Fiddler on the Roof]]'' (1971), ''[[Sleuth (1972 film)|Sleuth]]'' (1972), ''[[The Day of the Jackal (film)|The Day of the Jackal]]'' (1973), ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' (1978) and ''[[Superman II]]'' (1980), ''[[Alien (1979 film)|Alien]]'' (1979), and the James Bond films ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' (1971), ''[[Live and Let Die (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' (1973), ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun (film)|The Man with the Golden Gun]]'' (1974), and ''[[The Spy Who Loved Me (film)|The Spy Who Loved Me]]'' (1977).

===1980s===
Four [[List of James Bond films|James Bond]] movies, ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'' (1981), ''[[Octopussy]]'' (1983), ''[[A View to a Kill]]'' (1985), and ''[[The Living Daylights]]'' (1987), among several other large productions, such as ''[[Pink Floyd – The Wall]]'' (1982), ''[[Superman III]]'' (1983), ''[[Krull (film)|Krull]]'' (1983), ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' (1985), ''[[Aliens (1986 film)|Aliens]]'' (1986), [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]'' (1987), ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985) and [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989), were all produced at Pinewood.
<ref>{{cite web |title=Pinewood Group Credits |url=https://pinewoodgroup.com/pinewood-today/credits?studioid=1598&year=1980 |access-date=14 January 2024}}</ref>

===1990s===
The 1990s saw large-scale productions, such as ''[[Alien 3]]'' (1992), ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'' (1997), and ''[[The World Is Not Enough]]'' (1999) produced at the studios which kept Pinewood operating.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===2000s===
[[The Rank Group]] owned the studio until 2001, when it sold Pinewood for £62 million to a group led by [[Michael Grade]] and Ivan Dunleavy and financed by private equity group [[3i]], who held an 80% stake.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=28 February 2000|title=Grade grabs Pinewood for $99 mil|last=Dawtrey|first=Adam|page=31}}</ref> The purchase of [[Shepperton Studios]] from a consortium headed by [[Ridley Scott|Ridley]] and [[Tony Scott]], gave rise to the [[Pinewood Group]], eventually comprising Pinewood Studios, Shepperton Studios, [[Teddington Studios]], [[Pinewood Toronto Studios]], [[Pinewood Indomina Studios]], Pinewood Studio Berlin, [[Iskandar Malaysia Studios|Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios]], and a joint venture in the US with [[Trilith Studios|Pinewood Atlanta Studios]].<ref name=heritage>{{cite web |title=Our Heritage |url=https://www.pinewoodgroup.com/pinewood-today/our-heritage |website=Pinewood |access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>

In 2009, Pinewood and Shepperton received a [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] Award for their Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.<ref>{{cite news | title = Bafta honour for Pinewood studios |work=BBC News| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7873037.stm| access-date =23 September 2011| date=5 February 2009}}</ref>

===2010s===
The Pinewood Studios Group was subject to a hostile takeover approach in 2011. Manchester-based [[The Peel Group]] acquired a 73% stake, but [[Warren James Jewellers]] retained a 27% stake, so preventing a full takeover. In 2012 [[Financial Services Authority (United Kingdom)|Financial Services Authority]] considered cancelling the stock market listing because nearly all the shares are held by two groups.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Peel takeover cost Pinewood £2.4m |url=http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/peel-takeover-cost-pinewood-%C2%A32.4m-20120229100956657 |work=How Do |date=29 February 2012 |access-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608232738/http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/other-media/peel-takeover-cost-pinewood-%C2%A32.4m-20120229100956657 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In June 2016, five new stages and 10 new workshops were opened at Pinewood.<ref name=heritage/>

In 2019, the [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Walt Disney Studios]] announced a 10-year lease of most of the Pinewood Studios in September 2019, to start in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chu |first1=Henry |title=Disney Inks Long-Term Deal to Occupy Most of Pinewood Studios |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/disney-long-term-deal-occupy-pinewood-studios-1203327788/ |access-date=September 9, 2019 |work=Variety |date=September 8, 2019}}</ref>

== Stages, studios and locations ==
[[File:007 Stage.JPG|thumb|right|The 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in March 2006, before the July fire and rebuilding]]
{{main|007 Stage}}
The 007 Stage was originally built for the Bond film ''[[The Spy Who Loved Me (film)|The Spy Who Loved Me]]'' (1977) and featured one of the largest water tanks in Europe.<ref>{{Cite book |last= Frayling |first= Christopher |year= 2005 |title= Ken Adam and the Art of Production Design |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishers]] |location= London/New York City |isbn= 978-0-571-22057-1 |page= [https://archive.org/details/kenadamartofprod00fray/page/179 179] |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/kenadamartofprod00fray/page/179 }}</ref> The stage was destroyed by fire in 1984; it was rebuilt four months later and renamed [[Albert R. Broccoli]]'s 007 Stage in time for filming to commence on ''[[A View to a Kill]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://commanderbond.net/article/2792 |title=This month in Bond History |access-date=8 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231016/http://commanderbond.net/article/2792 |archive-date=26 September 2007 }}</ref> Another fire on 30 July 2006 seriously damaged the stage, causing the roof to partly collapse.<ref name="bbc20060730">{{cite news | title = Fire wrecks James Bond film stage|work=BBC News|date= 30 July 2006| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5228794.stm| access-date =30 July 2006}}</ref><ref name="rebuilt">{{cite news | title = Bond film stage 'will be rebuilt'|work=BBC News|date= 31 July 2006| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5231392.stm| access-date =31 July 2006}}</ref> Construction of a new stage began on 18 September and was completed in under six months.<ref>{{cite news| title = 007 Stage construction completed| publisher = Pinewood Studios| url = http://www.007stage.com| access-date = 10 April 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930160508/http://www.007stage.com/| archive-date = 30 September 2011| url-status = dead}}</ref> Since then, the stage has accommodated large productions including ''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (film)|Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]'' (2010), ''[[Quantum of Solace]]'' (2008). The whole fishing village from ''[[Mamma Mia! (film)|Mamma Mia!]]'' (2008) was built on the stage.

As well as the 007 Stage, which is the largest stage at any of the studios under The Pinewood Studios Group at {{Convert|5500|m2|0|abbr=on}}, the studio has fifteen other stages ranging from just {{Convert|160|m2|0|abbr=on}}, to cater for productions of all sizes. One of those studios, the T Stage, is a specialist stage for both television and film productions and the Studios second largest stage at {{Convert|2800|m2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web| title = PLANS FOR A NEW 30,000 SQ FT STAGE AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS| publisher = The Pinewood Studios Group| url = http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/about-us/news/plans-new-30000-sq-ft-stage-pinewood-studios| access-date = 23 September 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111127112053/http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/about-us/news/plans-new-30000-sq-ft-stage-pinewood-studios| archive-date = 27 November 2011| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

Pinewood Studios paid tribute to [[Richard Attenborough]]'s body of work by naming a purpose-built film and television stage after him. The Richard Attenborough Stage has an area of {{Convert|2800|m2|0|abbr=on}}. In his absence because of illness, [[David Puttnam|Lord Puttnam]] and Pinewood chairman [[Michael Grade|Lord Grade]] officially unveiled the stage on 23 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/news/richard-attenborough-stage-opens-business-pinewood-studios |title=The Richard Attenborough Stage opens for business at Pinewood Studios |publisher=pinewoodgroup.com |date=23 April 2012 |access-date=23 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428085611/http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/news/richard-attenborough-stage-opens-business-pinewood-studios |archive-date=28 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Opposite it, is a post-production block named in honour of [[Stanley Kubrick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/pinewood-studios/pinewood-studios-map|title=Pinewood Studios Map|work=pinewoodgroup.com}}</ref>

The studio also has two specialist TV studios, named TV One and TV Two, complete with integral galleries, TV studio floors, TV lighting grids and SD or HD facilities. Both studios stand at just under {{Convert|835|m2|0|abbr=on}}.

Pinewood is situated on the old estate of Heatherden Hall which still stands today. The mansion, its gardens and other parts of the studios have been used in various productions over the years. ''[[Peeping Tom (1960 film)|Peeping Tom]]'' (1960) shows people driving out through the main gate and has various shots in the studios (showing things behind the camera), offices and corridors.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} ''[[The Edge of the World|Return to the Edge of the World]]'' (1978) includes shots of director [[Michael Powell]] driving into the studio.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} The main gate (no longer used due to the construction of a purpose-built security entrance {{Convert|500|m|abbr=on}} further along the road) also features in ''[[My Week with Marilyn]]'' (2011) when [[Eddie Redmayne]] greets [[Judi Dench]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} This film also contains many shots of the dressing-room corridors in the main make-up block. Heatherden Hall (converted to production offices) has appeared in several films: it was made to look fire-damaged and derelict for the children's film ''[[The Amazing Mr Blunden]]'' (1972) and also appeared as the Indian residence of Governor Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in ''[[Carry On Up the Khyber]]'' (1969).{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The studios have acres of backlots where large sets have been built, from castles to whole villages including the Baker Street set built for Billy Wilder's  ''[[The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes]]'' and Godric's Hollow from the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' film series]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Burnham Beeches and Black Park===
The proximity of the ancient woodland [[Burnham Beeches]] and [[Black Park]] to Pinewood (as well as to [[Shepperton Studios|Shepperton]] and [[Bray Studios (UK)|Bray]] studios) made Burnham Beeches a desirable filming location for productions being filmed at Pinewood. Burnham Beeches was used for ''[[Robin Hood Prince of Thieves]]'', ''[[First Knight]]'', ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'' and ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]], [[Fahrenheit 451 (1966 film)|Fahrenheit 451]]'' at Black Park.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Former===
====Pinewood Atlanta Studios====
{{main|Trilith Studios}}

The studios announced in April 2013 that its first film production facility in the United States would be located south of [[Atlanta]] at a complex consisting of {{convert|280|ha|abbr=on}} in [[Fayette County, Georgia]]. Pinewood Atlanta is a joint venture between Pinewood and River's Rock LLC, an independently managed trust of the [[S. Truett Cathy|Cathy family]], founders of the [[Chick-fil-A]] fast-food chain.<ref name="atlanta">B. Goldsmith and David Beasley '''''(29 April 2013)'''. James Bond's UK film studio launches mission to the U.S.'' [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pinewood-usa-idUSBRE93S0NJ20130429 Reuters]<br /></ref>

In August 2019, Pinewood sold their shares in the Atlanta location.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/pinewood-sells-stake-atlanta-studios-1233510/|title=Pinewood Sells Stake in Atlanta Studios|first1=Georg|last1=Szalai|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=21 August 2019}}</ref> The studio officially ended its relationship with the location in October 2020 with the renaming of the studio to Trilith.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/pinewood-atlanta-rebrands-trilith-completes-separation-from-uk-expands-studio-adjacent-planned-community-1234592816/|title=Pinewood Atlanta Rebrands As 'Trilith', Completes Separation From UK, Expands Studio & Adjacent Planned Community|first1=Jill|last1=Goldsmith|date=7 October 2020}}</ref>

====Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios====
[[Iskandar Malaysia Studios|Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios]] is a studio complex located at a {{Convert|20|ha|abbr=on}} site in [[Iskandar Puteri]], Johor, managed by The Pinewood Studios Group. It targets the Asia-Pacific region. Pinewood Shepperton plc entered into a strategic agreement with [[Khazanah Nasional Berhad]], the investment holding arm of the Government of Malaysia in connection with the development of a new film and television studio facility in [[Iskandar Malaysia]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Construction began towards the end of 2010, with completion expected by the end of 2012. The facilities being built as part of the studio complex include {{Convert|9300|m2|abbr=on}} of film stages, ranging from {{Convert|1400|m2|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|2800|m2|abbr=on}}. The first two at {{Convert|1400|m2|abbr=on}} while the other two at {{Convert|1900|m2|abbr=on}}. The biggest stage at {{Convert|2800|m2|abbr=on}} will have a water tank for productions that require work on or under water.<ref name="star">{{cite news|title=Johor set to become Malaysia's movie capital|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/17/nation/20120917151335&sec=nation|access-date=17 September 2012|newspaper=thestar.com.my|date=17 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918174116/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/17/nation/20120917151335&sec=nation|archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> There are 2 TV studios, each at {{Convert|1100|m2|abbr=on}}.<ref name="star" />

In July 2019, Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios was rebranded to Iskandar Malaysia Studios and the affiliation with Pinewood Shepperton plc ended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/pinewood-group-exits-iskandar-malaysia-studios-1203264550/|title=Pinewood Pulls Out of Iskandar Malaysia Studios Partnership|first1=Stewart|last1=Clarke|date=11 July 2019}}</ref>

=== Water filming ===
{{main|Underwater Stage}}
Pinewood's water filming facilities include the [[Underwater Stage]], and an Exterior Tank backed with a green screen measuring {{convert|73|×|18|m|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Water |url=https://www.pinewoodgroup.com/studios/pinewood-studios/stages-facilities/water |publisher=Pinewood Studios |access-date=19 July 2018}}</ref>

== Project Pinewood ==
In November 2007, Pinewood announced a £200m expansion plan, known as Project Pinewood.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7097093.stm|title=Pinewood studios plan expansion|publisher=BBC | date=15 November 2007}}</ref> If would have included replicas of streetscapes and zones replicating locations from the UK, Europe and the United States. Planned zones include a college campus, Amsterdam, modern European housing, Venice, Lake Como, Paris, an amphitheatre, Prague, west coast American housing, warehousing and downtown New York sets, Chicago, Vienna, a castle, a UK canal, Chinatown and a London street market built.<ref name="Pinewoodpr">{{cite web|url=http://www.projectpinewood.com/material/pw_map.pdf|title=Project Pinewood press release|date=3 April 2008|access-date=23 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910161020/http://www.projectpinewood.com/material/pw_map.pdf|archive-date=10 September 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In addition it will also be used as residential housing, with the proposed creative community, expected to be in the region of 2000 and 2250, being integrated with the film locations.<ref name="Pinewoodpr"/> Following consultations with the local community the plans changed to reflect the community's opinions and suggestions. However, the planning application was rejected by South Bucks District Council in October 2009, following a opposition campaign by local residents, who formed a "Stop Project Pinewood" group.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Pinewood appealed against the decision and a public inquiry commenced on 5 April 2011<ref>{{cite news| title = Project Pinewood Newsletter| publisher = The Pinewood Studios Group| url = http://www.projectpinewood.com/pdf/PinewoodNewsletterMarch11.pdf| access-date = 23 September 2011}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and on 20 January 2012, it was announced that the appeal had been turned down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/9484615.__200m_Project_Pinewood_plan_refused_by_Government/?ref=rss |title=£200m Project Pinewood plan refused by Government (From Bucks Free Press) |publisher=Bucksfreepress.co.uk |date=20 January 2012 |access-date=8 February 2013}}</ref> On 15 May 2013, local councillors in South Buckinghamshire rejected a pared down version of the expansion plans. The chief executive of the studios, Ivan Dunleavy, said he expected to appeal against the latest decision to the Secretary of State, [[Eric Pickles]], who rejected the previous application, a year earlier.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pinewood Expansion Dashed Again |url=http://ukscreen.com/news/pinewood-expansion-hopes-dashed-again/ |publisher=UKscreen.com |date=15 May 2013 |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306145736/http://ukscreen.com/news/pinewood-expansion-hopes-dashed-again/ |archive-date=6 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 19 June 2014 it was reported that Pinewood Studios had received approval to go ahead with the multimillion-pound expansion plans which would see it rival Hollywood film sets.<ref>{{cite news | title = Pinewood Studios wins permission to double in size despite strong opposition | work = The Guardian | url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/19/pinewood-studios-permission-double-opposition-planners | access-date = 23 November 2014}}</ref>

==Enter the Pitch==
Pinewood Studios is one of the sponsors for the short film competition "Enter the Pitch," also known as the Pitch, which launched in 2009. The Pitch is an online short film pitching competition that invites film makers to submit a project that takes inspiration from any story, character, or theme in the [[Bible]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Enter the Pitch (press release)|url=http://film.britishcouncil.org/industry-news/current-news/july-20121/enter-the-pitch|publisher=BCF|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007112317/http://film.britishcouncil.org/industry-news/current-news/july-20121/enter-the-pitch |archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The top ten finalists are invited to Pinewood Studios, where they pitch their film to a panel of industry professionals. The person giving the best pitch wins an apprenticeship with industry professionals and is mentored on how to turn their pitch into a short film.

The inaugural Pitch winner was Simeon Lumgair's ''Derelict'' (2009);<ref>{{cite web |title=The Pitch 2009: Winner |website=enterthepitch.com |url=https://www.enterthepitch.com/the-fund/past-funds/2009/ |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref> the most recent {{as of|2020|lc=1}} was Oneikeh Campbell's ''Five Thousand Stars'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web |title=Oneikeh Campbell wins the Pitch 2020 fund |website=enterthepitch.com |url=https://www.enterthepitch.com/resources/community-news/2020-winner/ |access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of productions filmed at Pinewood Group facilities]]
*[[Pinewood Group]]
*[[Shepperton Studios]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth= 30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|last=Perry|first=George|title=Movies from the Mansion: A History of Pinewood Studios|publisher=Elm Tree Books|location=London|year=1976|isbn=0-241-10799-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Owen|first=Gareth|title=The Pinewood Story|publisher=Reynolds & Hearn|location=Richmond|year=2006|isbn=978-1-905287-27-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Bright|first=Morris|title=Pinewood Studios: 70 Years of Fabulous Filmmaking|publisher=Carroll & Brown|location=London|year=2007|isbn=978-1-904760-63-4}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/pinewood-studios Pinewood Studios]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110128192441/http://projectpinewood.com/ Project Pinewood]
*{{Screenonline name|id=479433|name=Pinewood Studios}}
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=51%C2%B032%2747.65%22N+0%C2%B031%2758.95%22W&om=0&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=51.547803,-0.534575&spn=0.008206,0.025771&t=h Pinewood Studios] at [[Google Maps]]

{{The Pinewood Studios Group}}
{{Cinema of the United Kingdom}}
{{BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:British film studios]]
[[Category:Film production companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Television studios in England]]
[[Category:Television production companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1936 establishments in England]]
[[Category:BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award]]