Shakespeare film to bring £18m spend to economy
IT’S one of the biggest budget US TV productions ever shot in Wales.
Will, a high-end drama based on the early life of William Shakespeare, is being filmed largely at the Dragon International Studios, between Pencoed and Llanharan, and will be broadcast in America this summer.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates and Ogmore AM Huw Irranca-Davies got a behind-the-scenes tour of the production, which follows in the footsteps of other shows filmed in Wales including Da Vinci’s Demons, The B*****d Executioner and The Collection.
It is anticipated that the production, which has been backed by Welsh Government finance, will generate around £18m spend into the local economy.
The first series of Will was commissioned following the success of an initial pilot programme filmed in London.
Following support from the Welsh Government the production company decided to undertake a significant proportion of filming and production of the first series of Will in Wales.
Speaking after his visit, Ken Skates said: “I was so pleased to be able to visit the set of Will, which really is an impressive and quality production with the highest budget of any film or programme to be in Wales so far.
“The scale of the project is resulting in the largest local spend related to TV and film production even seen in Wales, which is great news for the local economy and a real coup for the Welsh film and TV sector more broadly.
“We are continuing to work hard to attract highend drama to Wales with a specific focus on the lucrative US market and the probability of repeat series.
“I know the Will production will act as another great endorsement for what Wales can offer the film and TV industry, in terms of our location, expertise and talent. I am delighted that Welsh Government has been able to play a decisive role in bringing this investment to Wales.”
Huw said: “It was a pleasure to see all the film studios and outdoor lots being used at full capacity, and to hear how Welsh Government support for film and TV production in Wales is drawing jobs and talent to the area. Wales has a growing reputation for film and TV production, with its fantastic stu- dio facilities and outdoor locations, and I’m proud that our local Dragon International Studios is playing its part in that success.”
Ninth Floor UK Productions Limited – the company behind the series – will be based at Dragon Studio in Llanharan for nine months of the year with location shooting in and around South Wales as well as London.
Executive Producer Alison Owen said: “Filming at Dragon International Film Studios has provided many advantages for the production – using Dragon’s four stages and its extensive backlot, we have been able to create a whole world in one place.
“The streets of Shake- speare’s London spread out on the backlot, whilst the huge Theatre takes up one whole stage, additional interior sets complete the show’s universe. Other breath-taking exterior locations are a stone’s throw away, giving scope and breadth to the show’s visual landscape.
“The close proximity of so many locations has given us an ease and efficiency enabling us to be ambitious with our show, giving us terrific ‘bang for our buck’ and putting the budget on the screen. With access to the experienced Welsh crew based in the area, in Cardiff and Swansea, while only a couple of hours from London on the train, it has been the perfect choice for us.”