I am devastated to share the news of Paul Welsh MBE’s passing.
Our project co-founder, and lead interviewer, Paul’s knowledge and range of friends in the industry were the very basis for the founding of The Elstree Project in 2010.
After having already filmed 10 interviews with Paul as expert interviewer, in 2011 we turned the cameras around and filmed Paul’s story and connection to the studios of Borehamwood so that his contribution would be recorded in his own words. Below, I would like to share stories from his life, which include his own words from this interview.
Paul’s father worked in the industry in Borehamwood, as a foley artist at the Gate Studios in 1956. He described how his father’s work encroached into the family’s home life:
In December, there were two events to launch the new book by Lee Unkrich and JW Rinzler - “Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining”.
The new book - the most in-depth and thoroughly researched book of its kind about The Shining - is the product of over a decade of dedication and hard work by the authors. Lee Unkrich has gathered together an amazing resource of behind the scenes photos from the sets at EMI Elstree Studios and the former MGM British Studios in Borehamwood; and the authors interviewed, or gathered interviews, with every person who worked on the film.
The book was launched at the BFI with a Q&A with Lee and a screening of the US cut of the film. The following evening a private launch took place at the Kubrick estate, Childwickbury Manor, with Taschen and a second Q&A with Lee and Jan Harlan, hosted by Richard Ayoade.
On Thursday 30th June, the new Platinum Stages at Elstree Studios were launched, with a tour for invited guests provided - including a climb to the very top of the lighting grid.
Hosted by Chris Denmead MD of Elstree Studios, and Morris Bright MBE Chairman of the studios, both Paul Welsh MBE and Howard Berry from The Elstree Project were delighted to be among the invited guests who got to be among the very first to see the new stages.
Each stage is 16000 sq ft, and they can also be opened up to each other through a specially designed interior wall which still allows for soundproofing.
The new stages were built during the pandemic years, and installed during full studio operations, with the backlot...
New exhibition opens celebrating people from the studios
On Tuesday 28th June, a new exhibition opened at Elstree Screen Arts (esa) to celebrate the people involved in the British Hollywood at Borehamwood and Elstree's studios. Led in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, and featuring new portraits by artist Marysa Dowling; Howard from The Elstree Project was involved in helping train students from esa in oral history interviewing and also provided contacts with Louise Gold and Jenny Hanley to be among the contributors.
The exhibition is available to be viewed Monday - Wednesday each week until the end of August, in the entrance foyer of esa.
More information can be found on the NPG website: https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/inspiring-people-across-the-uk/people-powered/elstree-behind-the-scenes-of-the-british-hollywood/
...40 Years of The Shining
On May 23rd, it was the 40th anniversary of the release of The Shining. To celebrate the official Stanley Kubrick social media pages (on instagram, twitter and facebook) released a new video with various crew and cast, plus super-fan Lee Unkrich, talking about their favourite scene or moment.
The Elstree Project were proud to have aided in the production of this video, arranging contributions - recorded during Covid-19 lockdown - from Dan Lloyd (Danny), Lisa and Louise Burns (The Grady Twins), Garrett Brown (Steadicam Operator), Gordon Stainforth (Assistant Editor, Soundtrack Editor), Jan Harlan (Executive Producer) and Lee Unkrich (Pixar film director and world expert in The Shining).
The video can be viewed at any of the links above.
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