JayJay founders open studio hub

A Hull-based film production company has invested in its own city centre premises to create a new media hub aimed at strengthening the region’s creative industries.

JayJay Media, founded in 2008 by Joe Sargieson and Jonathan Fell, has purchased and begun refurbishing a building at the Maltings development to launch The Hull Studio. 

The company will act as host tenant, relocating its five-strong team to the mezzanine floor while operating a fully equipped production facility on the ground floor.

Joe and Jonathan say the new studio has been designed to meet industry best practice, with space for programmable lighting, custom set builds and live performances. 

Plans also include a green room, in-house post-production services and technical support.

Joe said: “In the past we struggled to find appropriate studio space in Hull so it’s been our ambition for some time to create a facility for ourselves which we could also make available to benefit others in the region as a resource.

“We kept seeing creatives have to compromise – going to a photographic studio where the audio didn’t work, or to a radio studio which wasn’t designed for film. 

“We would have to hire event space to set up large scale shots such as green screen.”

Joe added: “The entire ground floor will become a creative playground. 

“We looked at other places and identified what we wanted – the sort of space which you can hire for content creation, photography, podcasts and broadcast interviews.

“If you want to put on a small gig or a performance you have space for the audience and people can step from the green room right onto the stage. 

“As we have grown our business we have seen the value of collaborating with experienced industry professionals such as make-up artists and set builders.

“You need the space, lighting, and acoustics as well as the knowledge and experience of people who know what they are doing – experts who understand what people want, what they need and how to make it happen.”

JayJay Media, whose clients range from local SMEs to FTSE100 brands and public sector bodies, says the hub will provide agencies, freelancers and start-ups with access to professional-grade facilities under one roof, helping build creative capacity across Hull and Humber.

Jonathan added: “We have the space to create a comfortable, client-friendly environment which is close to the BBC, Hull College, and STEAM Studios at the Ron Dearing UTC. 

“They can be a catalyst to accelerate the creation of a Hull media village, attracting other businesses into this corner of the city centre.

“We consider ourselves to be one of Hull and Humber’s key media partners because we work with so many big names and we also work collaboratively with other creatives. 

“We know the other film makers, photographers, marketing people and content creators and we want The Hull Studio to be genuinely accessible and welcoming to them.

“Part of the joy of being in a fully equipped studio with people who know how to operate it is it saves you time and money. 

“This space will be set up for them to do what they want as soon as they walk through the door.”

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