Leavesden Film Studio Designer Appointed   by Philip Gamble

Following Warner Bros' recent announcement of its acquisition of the Leavesden film studios in south west Hertfordshire they have appointed an American firm to oversee a proposed £100 million redeveloped of the site. Thinkwell Group which describes itself as “a full-service experiential design and development firm” will be responsible for the design and production of a unique destination at Leavesden Studios which will give movie fans a chance to get an insight into the Harry Potter movie series.

Up to five thousand visitors a day, who will need to have pre-booked their tickets to the Leavesden studios attraction, will be able to walk amongst sets from the eight films based on the best selling books by UK author JK Rowling. In two proposed new sound stages tourists will have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the iconic sets, beautiful costumes, and props used in the creation of movies in the wizardry franchise. Exact details of what will be on general display have yet to be releaved.

Thinkwell are a leader in experiential design and have been responsible for designing various studios, museums and theme parks over the last decade. They were also responsible for producing the spectacular opening night celebration event at the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Studios Orlando.

The redeveloped film studio will create hundreds of jobs for local people and provide a boost to the local economy when it opens in 2012. Hollywood studio Warner Brothers also plan to build new soundstages and production and administration complexes at the site as they convert the former aerodrome into its European headquarters. A spokesman speaking to local press said “This is a fantastic opportunity to secure this investment for the future and I’m sure there will be a lot of economic benefits for Leavesden and world-wide acclaim for this project.”