1996 marks Pinewood's sixtieth anniversary but as you look around the Studios' 92 acres there is little evidence of birthday celebrations. 1996 marks Pinewood's sixtieth anniversary but as you look around the Studios' 92 acres there is little evidence of birthday celebrations.
Of course, the studios are busy (not full, but busy), so opportunities for celebration are limited. But the fact is the people at Pinewood have chosen to mark their Diamond anniversary in a rather different way.
Since Steve Jaggs took over as Managing Director three years ago, an enormous amount of money and effort has gone into new buildings, structural improvements, new equipment - the programme is well underway and the enhancements are now obvious.
Faced with the choice of fanfare or further investment there was no contest. As Steve says "Throughout the Studio, Pinewood's people thought that the best way of marking the Diamond Anniversary was to leave even more improvements and tangible benefits for the industry itself to inherit - getting Pinewood fully 'Set For The Future'.
There has been major investment by Pinewood's post-production department. Alongside the new digital Theatre 3 and its high end AMS Neve Logic 2 console with AudioFile Spectra, OMFI compatibility, 8-track Avid AudioVision, plus a host of other technological refinements, the department is investing in the physical comfort and well being of its customers. The previous, rather spartan, accommodation has been replaced by bright new decor and a far higher level of working comfort in the theatres and reception areas. Pinewood's pride has quite rightly been centred on its production heritage - the classic movies which have been made within the Mansion walls. Recent post audio work on GoldenEye, Loch Ness and Hackers, together with productions such as The Saint, The Fifth Element and Fierce Creatures shooting at the Studios, shows that Pinewood is increasingly ready for new challenges.