The UK Film Industry: A Rising Star in Hollywood’s Shadow
Hollywood is buzzing about the United Kingdom’s burgeoning production scene. With studios eager to shoot in California, retain talent within the U.S., and reclaim some of the industry prestige that once belonged to Los Angeles, the competition is fierce—especially amidst a political climate marked by tariffs and uncertainty.
London, however, is thriving as Hollywood faces challenges. In 2024 alone, the UK’s production revenue soared to approximately £5.6 billion (about $7.4 billion), with major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney expanding their UK operations. Renowned studios such as Pinewood, famous for hosting 12 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters, and Sky Studios Elstree, known for hits like Wicked and Jurassic World: Rebirth, are buzzing with activity, fully booked with top-tier talent.
But what’s really happening behind the scenes at these iconic film lots? What fuels the UK film and television industry’s impressive growth? A recent visit by The Hollywood Reporter to Pinewood Studios shed light on one such player in this thriving landscape: Clear Angle Studios.
Clear Angle Studios: Pioneering Filmmaking Technology
Clear Angle Studios, a global leader in 3D capture and processing, is headquartered at Pinewood and co-founded by Dominic Ridley and Christopher Friend. This innovative company specializes in cyber scanning and photogrammetry capture, a venture that began from a conversation at a Halloween party years ago. Starting with just 70 cameras in 2013, Clear Angle has since established itself as a key player in the film and TV industry, significantly enhancing the quality of beloved movies and shows from the past decade.
Ever wondered how Tom Cruise executes daring stunts in Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning? Or how Robert Pattinson convincingly portrays twins in Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17? Ridley is the man with the answers. “We have strong partnerships with major studios like Marvel, Lucasfilm, Netflix, and Apple,” he shares with THR, highlighting the scale of Clear Angle’s technological capabilities.
At the heart of their operation is a sophisticated ultra-high-resolution facial capture system, affectionately named Dorothy. This rig, composed of 90 individual cameras, captures actors’ facial expressions with remarkable precision. “Dorothy is essential for any close-up shots or tricky scenes where an actor might be interacting with themselves,” Ridley explains.
Unmatched Technology for Unforgettable Performances
Dorothy’s advanced setup includes 54 Canon SLRs, 22 Sony A7R3s, 13 machine vision cameras, and 497 programmable LED light nodes, enabling it to capture stunning detail. This technology allows filmmakers to replicate an actor’s facial performance without needing extensive animator input, operating at an impressive 48 frames per second. Only three of these rigs exist globally, with the other two located in Atlanta and Culver City.
As production continues to surge in the UK, Ridley notes that the Atlanta rig has been sent over to meet the demand. “The landscape has shifted,” he says, noting the resurgence of European production following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes. “The UK is on the rise, and other locations like Australia and Toronto are also gaining traction.”
Clear Angle’s international presence extends to cities like Vancouver, Athens, Cape Town, and Budapest, where they operate 18 full-body photogrammetry rigs. These advanced systems have been employed in major productions, including Lucasfilm’s Andor and live-action adaptations of popular animated films.
Safety and Ethics in the Digital Age
With the rise of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, concerns about digital likenesses and data usage have become increasingly relevant. Notably, Scarlett Johansson recently voiced her discomfort with AI imitating her voice. Ridley acknowledges that actors are more aware than ever of the implications of digital scanning. “Education is vital,” he asserts, emphasizing that artists must understand how their likeness will be used.
At Clear Angle, data security is a top priority. Ridley assures that all captured data is used solely for the intended production and is kept offline to prevent unauthorized access. “We follow stringent protocols to ensure that all data is secure,” he emphasizes.
The Future of Clear Angle Studios
Clear Angle has achieved record-breaking feats, including scanning 300 individuals in a single day. Their operations are not limited to film; they also create lifelike avatars for video games and utilize drone technology for capturing breathtaking landscapes.
Despite the challenges posed by the industry’s financial landscape, Ridley and Friend have successfully navigated through initial hurdles, investing significantly in their vision. With the demand in London remaining robust, Ridley expresses his commitment to quality over quantity: “It’s disappointing to turn down projects because we’re fully booked, but it’s crucial to deliver excellence and avoid overstretching ourselves.”
A tour of Clear Angle’s Pinewood facility feels like stepping into the future, bustling with skilled professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of film technology. Ridley concludes, “What motivates me is the people we work with and the cutting-edge technology we bring to life. That’s what truly matters.”
As the UK film industry continues to flourish, Clear Angle Studios stands at the forefront, ready to shape the future of entertainment with innovation, creativity, and a commitment to excellence.
