Upper Boat Studios

{{short description|Former television studio complex in Wales}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}

{{More citations needed|date=May 2017}}

{{Infobox building

|name = Upper Boat Studios

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|native_name_lang = {{Lang|cy| }}

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|map_type = Wales Rhondda Cynon Taf

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|map_caption = Location within Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales

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|map_dot_mark = Turquoise pog.svg

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|status = Used as warehousing

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|building_type = Television studio

|architectural_style= Modern

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|address = Unit 1/2, Tonteg Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Upper Boat, Pontypridd, CF37 5UA

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|location_country = Wales, United Kingdom

|coordinates = {{coord|51|34|33|N|3|18|00|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GB-RCT|name=Upper Boat Studios}}

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|opened_date = {{Start date and age|2006|July|27|df=y}}

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|client = BBC Wales

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|known_for = Filming of Doctor Who

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Upper Boat Studios was a television studio complex leased to the BBC in mid-2006,{{cite web|title=Current BBC production studios outside London > Roath Lock - Cardiff|url=http://TVStudioHistory.co.uk/rest%20of%20britain.htm#current%20bbc|website=TVStudioHistory.co.uk|publisher=Martin Kempton - History of British television studios|access-date=1 June 2017}} and formerly operated by BBC Wales.{{cite news|author=Nick Dermody|date=27 July 2006|title=Time Lord handed permanent home|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/5222610.stm|website=BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC Wales at BBC News|access-date=1 June 2017}}

It is located in Upper Boat,{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/bbcupperboatstudios|title=BBC Studios|website=DoctorWhoLocations.net|publisher=Doctor Who Locations Guide|access-date=29 May 2017}} a village on the outskirts of Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, near Cardiff in Wales. The studios, previously a seat belt manufacturing factory for the automotive industry, were officially opened on {{Start date and age|2006|July|27|df=y}}, by Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies, for the purpose of producing Doctor Who, along with its related spin-off programmes.

Facilities

At ten times larger than BBC Wales existing site at Llandaff, the Doctor Who residency at Upper Boat Studios included the use of its six sound stages. Other facilities at Upper Boat included a large props store, workshops, and video editing suites.

History

By 2011, Doctor Who was the only programme still based at Upper Boat, following the move of several BBC Wales productions to the new permanent home at the new Roath Lock studios. Doctor Who itself relocated to Roath Lock throughout 2012, with the last filming day at Upper Boat on 11 May 2012.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/edwardrussell/status/201010324659388417|title=Last day of Doctor Who filming at Upper Boat...|work=Edward Russell|publisher=Twitter|date=11 May 2012|access-date=29 May 2017}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2017}}

Despite the studio closure, production on Sherlock series 3 continued at the studios until September 2013.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Sherlockology/status/370525515117244416|title= Still at Upper Boat Studios.|work=Sherlockology|publisher=Twitter|date=29 May 2017|access-date=29 May 2017}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2017}}

Productions

=Productions based at Upper Boat Studios=

class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

!Title

!Genre

!No. of
episodes

!Produced
from

!Notes

Doctor WhoScience fiction drama662006–2012* moved from Unit Q2 in Newport, Wales

  • moved to Roath Lock in 2012, midway through production of Series 7{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10402789|title= Work starts on BBC Wales drama village in Cardiff Bay|website=BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=24 June 2010|access-date=29 May 2017}}
Doctor Who Confidential'Making-of' documentary602006–2011* moved from Unit Q2 in Newport
The Sarah Jane AdventuresScience fiction children's drama532006–2010* entire series produced at Upper Boat Studios
TorchwoodScience fiction drama312006–2008* moved to Los Angeles{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}
Torchwood Declassified'Making-of' documentary272006–2008* moved to Los Angeles
Totally Doctor WhoChildren's magazine programme122007* moved from BBC Wales{{clarify|date=May 2017}}
SherlockCrime drama9 + pilot2009–2013* series 1, series 2, and series 3
  • produced by Hartswood Films West
  • Sarah Jane's Alien FilesChildren's compilation programme62010* entire series produced at Upper Boat Studios

    =Productions partially filmed at Upper Boat Studios=

    class=wikitable style=font-size:95%

    !Title

    !Genre

    !No. of
    episodes

    !Produced
    from

    !Notes

    Upstairs DownstairsCostume drama32010* kitchen and servant's hall sets{{cite web|author=Maggie Brown|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2010/12/upstairs-downstairs-the-return-of-a-classic/|title=Upstairs, Downstairs: the return of a classic|website=TheStage.co.uk|publisher=The Stage, The Stage Media Company Limited|date=3 December 2010|access-date=30 May 2017}}

    See also

    {{portal|BBC|Television|Wales}}

    References