ELP first to deploy latest rigging technology at Pinewood Studios

ELP now have a Pinewood base office and stores dedicated to servicing film and drama productions. The company have since provided location lighting and power on a diverse range of productions including Green Green Grass (the BBC’s Only Fools and Horses spin off), Nighty Night with Angus Deayton and surreal comedy The Mighty Boosh.

Add New Tricks, Blessed, Shellseekers, and IT Crowd to the drama list and you can see that ELP Pinewood has been very busy indeed.

Now, ELP is also providing specialist rigging services at Pinewood.

“We are delighted to be the first supplier based at Pinewood to bring the latest rigging technology to the studios” says MD Ronan Willson. We have just installed a complex hoist and tracking system for a feature being filmed here.”
The structure uses 2 x 40 m tracks to automate the movement of lighting pods along the studio. A computerised winch system enables 4 x 20KW heads each side to be tracked at various speeds and heights as required.

Ronan continues…“I was approached by Rigging Gaffer Pat Miller, who outlined the structures he needed, and gave us some ideas. We were then able to fine tune and provide the solution for use by Gaffer Matt Moffatt and DoP Barry Ackroyd. It’s great to be asked to provide knowledge and technical expertise learnt in the touring and OB market for a feature. I am sure that this kind of technology crossover will become more common as trussing structures and electric hoist systems become better understood by feature productions”

ELP will be greatly expanding rigging stocks and services at Pinewood including free workshops to feature riggers, gaffers and construction staff wishing to gain a full working knowledge of the techniques and equipment available. Contact Ronan Willson on 01753 785700 for dates and times of sessions.