Sweet Success at Sugar Studios

Can you tell us more abound the background of Sugar Studios?

Sugar Studios is located in Greenwich in the old Tate and Lyle sugar factory. It came about from the idea and implementation from the directors of sister company MDM Props, once of the largest Art, Prop and Model fabricators in the UK where I used to work as the finance manager for over a decade until being asked to head up the studios in 2020. MDM Props used to be the contractors in charge of building the fantastic gallery space in Regents park for Frieze Art Fair, when we decided not to continue with this we had a huge amount of white flats which were simply stored in the building only making their appearance for a couple of months in the year to be restored transformed into gallery spaces and then returned to storage, at the same time MDM Props was working with various theatre companies including The National Theatre, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Lion King, War Horse, Shrek, Les Miserables the list goes on. The suggestion was made by our clients that it would be fantastic to have rehearsal space to use whilst sets/props were being made, and that it what we did. We originally created The Big Space, which is still frequented by a wonderful array of theatre productions, acrobatic performances, and stunt rehearsals, it has incredibly high ceilings and various break-out spaces including a mezzanine with lounge and kitchenette, production office/wardrobe and its own private WC and shower, so it is a great selfsufficient space for a large theatre company.

Following this the other three spaces followed suite, and to date, we now have a large Infinity Stage, a Green

Screen studio and The White / Blackbox Studio and are proud to be able to offer these studios to a vast array of clients across the industries to anyone who requires shoot, rehearsal and even entertainment or networking space.

And what recent productions have taken place?

The spaces we offer are diverse and therefore attract right across the board in what we are able to accommodate. Recent productions include an acoustic music video for The Brits ‘Rising Stars’ 2023 winners ‘Flo’ with Sony Music, a Netty Hurley’s short film called ‘Walking Women’ for Dazed Digital which was a project about liberating women of all body types from the stifling gaze of the media, Locate Productions and creative team at AKQA partnered to shoot a project for Nike, Usian Bolt filmed a TV ad for Brave Spark and AvaTrade, Dior took over Harrods to celebrate ‘Fabulous World Of Dior’, Cheryl Cole visited the studios to shoot rehearse 2:22 A Ghost Story, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe also used the space for rehearsals. Due to the spaces and flexibility in our offerings we are lucky enough to work with a vast range of clients, brands, talent and industries. We can accommodate anything from a full-scale theatre rehearsal, stunt rehearsals, or an acrobatic flying rig set ups in The Big Space, to advertising campaigns: be it from Dunelm furniture shoot, Elvie’s latest breast pumps, to a Sainsbury’s food range, Nike v Cortiez, Levono, or Dazed editorial with fashion designer Chet Lo. The Infinity Stage really is the perfect blank canvas for any type of project. The Green Screen as it says on the tin (so to speak) is perfect for CGI, VR, and gaming. Some clients include Channel 4, Kurupt FM, Pias, Pulse Films, JM Films & Fashion brands Christopher Kane & Adidas. Or if a little less space and a smaller crews is what the shoot calls for then The White / Blackbox Studio is great and has accommodated many more intimate shoots, Jose Cuervo shot an AD for the world’s first washing machine designed to mix margarita’s for International Margarita Day –produced by This Is Cow. Video here. Or Rina Sawayama editorial shoot for Nylon Mag with DMB Represents –photographed by Alex De Mora. Each space and the clients vision of how to use is impressive and astounding each day that the studios take a different shape.

How do you utilise the space for its heritage and a modern audience?

The heritage of the building: as an old sugar refinery is one that I will continue to tell stories about for years to come no doubt, I mean some of the structural beams remain in place from the drops at the wharf, the actual mill is still on top of the building, and gives a great 360 degree view over London! when it rains many have noted the ‘sweet’ smell which I can only assume is the sugar that is quite literally in the foundations of the building! I feel that we are a good contender for many projects of all scale, as a newish offering in the market we are in many ways still seen a ‘best kept secret’. Now, tell us about your female led-team!

We are indeed a female-led team, and this gives me a lot of pride as we still find ourselves in a largely male-dominated industry. I think everyone has a part to play in making and growing a business and having a team who also have very active roles creatively, means that we are further able to think outside the box, and increase our offering. Over the past year we started hosting music events, networking events, and I am looking to start up workshops, talks, and further events - anything that will not only include the great many talents that we have in-house, but also to further support and positively impact the local community.

To find out more about the team, visit: Instagram:

@sugarstudiosgreenwich

Twitter: @sugarstudiosldn

TikTok: @sugarstudiosgreenwich

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