Supporting Film and TV Productions at Swansea University’s Bay Campus

Swansea University’s Bay Campus, with its modern architecture, expansive beach side location, and versatile spaces, has become an attractive filming location for many film and TV production companies.

The campus offers a unique blend of contemporary settings and natural coastal beauty, providing a dynamic backdrop for a wide range of productions. In this case study, we explore how our Events Services team has successfully partnered with film and TV companies to facilitate filming, detailing the resources and support provided to ensure smooth, successful productions!

Film and TV productions often require access to unique, visually striking locations that can enhance storytelling while offering practical conveniences such as logistical support, space for equipment, and facilities for the crew. Fortunately for us, at Swansea University, we are not short of those things! From our experience, we know that producers seek locations that are both aesthetically appealing and flexible enough to accommodate various filming needs, from small independent projects to large-scale productions.

Our beautiful Bay Campus has the potential to meet these needs, but the challenge was to position the university as a viable filming destination while ensuring minimal disruption to academic activities.

When it comes to helping organisations film at our facilities, our goal is always to create a seamless experience for production companies, enabling them to film at our Bay Campus with minimal disruption to campus life. This involves offering a range of services, from location scouting to logistical support, while showcasing the campus as a versatile, attractive setting for various types of productions.

Location Versatility and Unique Backdrops

The Bay Campus offers an array of striking backdrops for different types of scenes. With its modern buildings, wide open spaces, and immediate proximity to the beach, the campus can double as a contemporary urban setting or coastal landscape, offering significant versatility for filmmakers.

The modern architecture, including futuristic lecture halls, open plazas, and state-of-the-art laboratories, provides ideal settings for filming scenes that require both indoor and outdoor environments. This year we were delighted to welcome back to campus the film crew for Doctor Who. Filming required a whole host of locations and facilities on campus, and it worked wonderfully. It was amazing to watch the show live!

We can’t not mention that the proximity to the sea always adds an element of natural beauty that enhanced many scenes, offering a unique blend of urban and coastal aesthetics in one location. This also applies to our Singleton Campus which may not own its own section of private beach like the Bay, but it couldn’t be much closer to the beach either!

Dedicated Film Liaison Service

Our team has established a dedicated liaison service specifically for film and TV production companies. This service acts as the primary point of contact, helping companies with everything from initial inquiries to the final day of filming. The liaison team facilitates location scouting, navigates permissions and admin, and ensures that production crews have access to the necessary facilities on campus.

The liaison service within our team is crucial in coordinating between production teams, regular stakeholders and of course the university’s academic schedule, ensuring that filming can take place without disrupting classes, research, and student activities, etc.

Comprehensive Logistical Support

For production teams, on-the-ground logistics are key. At Swansea University, we provide extensive support in this area, offering access to parking for production vehicles, designated spaces for trailers, and temporary office space for crew members. With its large open areas, the campus can easily accommodate equipment, vehicles, and temporary structures without impeding university operations.

Additionally, the university’s technical staff help with power supplies, internet access, and other utilities required for filming. Having these logistical elements in place on campus allows production teams to focus on the creative aspects of their projects without worrying about the practicalities of filming in a large public space.

Flexible Filming Arrangements

Understanding the unpredictable nature of film schedules, Swansea University offers flexible filming arrangements that can allow productions to shoot during off-peak hours, weekends, or term breaks. This flexibility is key in making the campus accessible to a range of production companies, from small independent filmmakers to large-scale productions.

We work with a range of production companies to tailor filming schedules that meet their needs while ensuring that campus activities can continue without interruption.

Community Engagement and Public Relations

Hosting film and TV productions on campus also provides opportunities for positive public relations and community engagement. Stakeholders are informed in advance of filming dates and times, and many have the chance to observe some of the productions.

Additionally, as a university we try and leverage our role as a filming location to promote filming opportunities on campus, showcasing our involvement in the arts and creative industries while highlighting Swansea University’s potential for future productions.

Successful Filming Projects

Several notable film and TV projects have successfully filmed at Bay Campus, taking advantage of the unique coastal setting and modern facilities. Productions ranged from documentaries and TV dramas to independent films, all benefiting from our flexible, supportive approach.

These successful projects not only enhanced the reputation of Swansea University as a filming destination but also helped to showcase the campus in a new light to a global audience!

Minimal Disruption to Campus Life

Despite the scale of some of productions, the university can maintain its academic schedule with minimal disruption. By working closely with production companies to coordinate filming times and locations, the university ensures that day-to-day operations, such as classes, research, and student activities, are unaffected.

Increased Interest from Film and TV Productions

Thanks to positive experiences from previous projects, the Bay Campus has continued to attract interest from production companies. The university’s reputation for providing a professional, flexible, and supportive environment for filming has led to an increase in inquiries from filmmakers looking for unique and accessible locations.

Swansea University’s Bay Campus has proven to be a prime location for film and TV production, offering a combination of modern infrastructure and scenic coastal views. By providing dedicated support through its film liaison service, offering logistical flexibility, and maintaining a balance between production needs and university operations, the campus has successfully positioned itself as a go-to destination for filmmakers.

Through this case study, it’s clear that Swansea University is committed to fostering partnerships with the film and TV industry, helping to bring creative visions to life while showcasing the beauty and versatility of its campus to a global audience.

Contact us for more information or to arrange a site visit!