The VECTAR Project, originally known as Vector Television[1], is a film and television studio and production facility located in Heaton Mersey, South Manchester. Established in the late 1980s as a TV studio and post-production facility, it underwent a management buyout and substantial investment, rebranding as Vector Television.
History
editDuring the early 1990s, coinciding with the rise of the "Madchester" music scene, Vector Television became a hub for music video production, hosting bands like the Stone Roses, Mock Turtles, and The Charlatans, including the filming of Take That's first video[2]. The studio attracted numerous TV productions, such as "The Royle Family" and various TV commercials.[citation needed]
In the 1990s, further investments were made into digital creation and editing technologies. By the early 2000s, as digital broadcasting expanded, the studio produced a wide array of content, particularly cookery programs for Granada Breeze, featuring chefs including Anthony Worral Thomson, Jamie Oliver, and James Martin.[citation needed]
After several changes in ownership and branding, including 442 Studios and South Manchester Studio, Z Film Studios, the facility was re-launched in 2019 as The VECTAR Project[3]. This relaunch marked a shift towards sustainable filming practices aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions[4][5][6].
Sustainability initiatives
editMajor investments were made to update the studio's infrastructure, including replacing tungsten lights with LED film lights, installing a solar power plant, Virtual Production facilities and implementing high-speed leased lines for remote monitoring and data transfer. These upgrades have significantly reduced the studio's carbon footprint, making it a leader in sustainable film production. With these upgrades more diverse production genres and where many new productions[7] have been made.
Since 2021, The VECTAR Project has developed VECTAR Sets®[8][9][10], an-award-winning[11][12], sustainable cardboard set building solution that reduces the carbon footprint by up to 90% compared to conventional wood sets.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "TV Studio History Manchester". tvstudiohistory.co.uk.
- ^ "Twenty years on, Take That's first pop video". 19 June 2011.
- ^ Hodgson, Neil (12 May 2021). "Stockport film and TV studios opens with eco-responsibility in star billing". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ Bickerton, Jake (11 May 2021). "Vectar Project opens two virtual production studios". Broadcast.
- ^ Creamer, Jon (22 May 2021). "Virtual production studios open in North West". Televisual.
- ^ Hardaker, Alistair (12 May 2021). "North West film studio opens real time virtual production sets". Prolific North.
- ^ Bamford, Thom (22 October 2022). "Manchester made 'The World According to Grandpa' set for Channel 5 Milkshake". I love Manchester.
- ^ Macnaughton, Ollie (8 March 2023). "Cardboard film sets could make movies greener". CNN World.
- ^ Logan, Kitty (10 March 2022). "Film and TV studios switch to cardboard sets to cut carbon emissions". CGTN.
- ^ Fraser, Maude (29 January 2022). "Cardboard sets to reduce carbon emissions for TV and film making?". SKY News.
- ^ "Ashden Award for Greening all work 2022". Ashden Climate Sustainability. 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Vectar Project". Film Industry Makers and Shakers. 10 December 2022.