- Peaky Blinders creator opens LA studio to showcase UK talent
- Film production to start in West Midlands with new cast additions
- Training scheme launched to increase diversity in film industry
Steven Knight, the creator of the hit drama series Peaky Blinders, has announced plans to open a studio in Los Angeles, bringing a taste of Birmingham’s Digbeth Loc Studios to the US. The move aims to showcase the work of filmmakers from the Midlands and highlight the region’s talent.
“We’re gearing up for big productions, because we believe that we have to be very ambitious and I think that we’re going to make it,” Knight said in an interview with the BBC from LA.
The new studio will allow industry professionals to experience the work being done at Digbeth Loc Studios, with access to pictures, decks, and video showcases. Knight expressed his excitement for the project, stating, “I’m going to open a Digbeth Loc Studio here where people can go and look at what we’re doing.”
Meanwhile, production is set to begin on the Peaky Blinders film, with locations across the West Midlands, including the Black Country Living Museum. Knight described the project as “the end of the first chapter of Peaky Blinders.”
In addition to the studio announcement, Knight has also launched a training scheme for aspiring filmmakers. The Kudos Knight Scripted Production Training initiative has seen 13 trainees graduate, with many praising the program for boosting their confidence and skills.
Graduate Tannaz Razpoush said, “The confidence I feel in myself and the level of readiness that I feel to go outside and actually be an asset is something I feel is very valuable personally.”
Nigel Chapwania, a marshal on Knight’s drama This Town, emphasized the need for opportunities in the region, stating, “There’s so much talent in the area, but many stories are left untold as people often give up on their dreams due to lack of opportunity.”
Knight highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the film industry, saying, “It’s really important that we make sure that this is an industry that employs the people of the city. We need Birmingham and West Midlands people to understand that this is a real industry that is here to stay and you can make a fabulous career.”
