Set builder 4Wood opens offshoot at Digbeth Loc

Set construction company, 4Wood, has opened a new outpost at Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc. Studios.

Digbeth Loc. Studios in Birmingham, conceived by Peaky Blinder’s creator Steven Knight, will offer 4Wood “a unique location in the heart of the UK to continue their expansion.” with an aim to offer services to productions based at Digbeth, alongside “taking advantage of a convenient location for productions across the region.”

4Wood’s HQ is located in Cardiff where they have been based since they were established in 2005. Since then, they have been behind the sets for the BBC’s Doctor Who 60^th anniversary episodes, including the new Tardis. Other recent productions include the BBC’s Lost Boys and Fairies, due to feature in the Berlin Film Festival and ITVX’s The Winter King.

Graham Webb, Managing Director, 4Wood said: “We’ve been so impressed by the vision for Digbeth Loc. and the calibre of productions that they are already beginning to attract. High-end TV, feature films and, increasingly, formatted shows, are our sweet spot. So, this was too good of an opportunity to miss as we grow.”

James Thorne, Creative Director 4Wood added: “As we’ve expanded it’s become clear that producers and art directors value our ability to bring their vision to reality by building sets, almost to completion, in our own workshop and then transporting them to sound stages or locations for the final fit. With an ever-growing portfolio of work, it made sense to open a second workshop in the heart of the UK.”

Thorne continued: “Our growth plan includes training new specialists in the art of set construction, creating local employment opportunities for Digbeth Loc.’s community. We’ll be using our experience from Cardiff to encourage local trades people into the industry, starting with an open evening for the local community. More news to follow soon.”

Piers Read, CEO, TIME + SPACE, said: “Alongside offering world-class studio facilities in the heart of Birmingham, Digbeth Loc. Studios aims to attract industry leading production services to the region. 4Wood are amongst the very best at what they do and their background in creating training and employment opportunities in Cardiff is exactly the kind of ethos which fits our vision.”

4Wood will be announcing the details of their first open evening for the local community in the coming weeks. In the meantime, trades people in carpentry, metal work, decorators, model making, sculpture and CNC are encouraged to get in touch. Alongside anyone who is exploring new training opportunities and is interested in a career in set construction. Please send your details to westmidlands@4wood.tv.