Gravity Media opens brand new, state-of-the-art production centre in Manchester’s iconic ABC Buildings

The relocation of its existing Manchester Production Centre in one of the fastest growing tech cities in Europe, will allow Gravity Media to offer a wide range of new services and will underpin expansion across broadcast and post-production markets, building client relationships and creative opportunities outside of London. The powerful network of connected Gravity Media remote Production Centres, coupled with expertise delivering turnkey solutions will continue to offer productions a unique range of options and flexibility.

The new Gravity Media Production Centre is located in Manchester city centre in the iconic ABC Buildings – which also plays home to VERSA studios, BBC, The Farm, Sony, Quay Street Productions, LS Productions and many more.

Recent Manchester work highlights included the team helping to relocate and set up the five camera studio for BBC Studios working in collaboration with VERSA Studios which enabled the broadcast of popular daytime show,BBC Morning Live. Being in such close proximity will also mean Gravity Media can continue to work in partnership with VERSA Studios to supply equipment, integrate systems and provide engineering support.

Situated on the 4th floor of the ABC building, the 3,000 square foot space has been carefully designed to meet the high-grade technical specification needed by Gravity Media to service their broadcast clients, as well as a new base for their dedicated local equipment rental team. The new facility will mean Gravity Media can easily draw on its extensive EMEA and Global network and collaborate directly with its London Production Centre, enabling completely decentralised remote production workflows. The space boasts three off-tube commentary booths, two Avid Media Composer edit suites connected to the edit core for a full suite of edit services, a dedicated audio control room and two multi-suite, three-tier production galleries designed with the flexibility to integrate next generation cloud-based, GPU-powered workflows including the likes of MAVIS and GVAMPP. There is also a large production office, collaboration and meeting area. The ABC Buildings also offers a flexible workspace, café / bar, outdoor terrace, cinema and other communal areas.

Sitting in the heart of the city’s booming tech innovation and broadcasting sector means Gravity Media can also draw on the huge pool of highly skilled next generation talent from the area via the Salford University film, technology and media programmes.

Ed Tischler, Gravity Media – MD, EMEA, comments: “The expansion into a brand new, cutting-edge production centre is a big moment for Gravity Media. We are immensely proud of the team and the business and are excited about what the space can offer our clients.

As we plan to attract the next generation of northern broadcasting talent to support our next growth phase, we are focused on ensuring we continue to offer the best support for complex broadcast facilities and production services, wherever it’s needed across the North of England.

Our new Gravity Media Manchester base will also be able to support clients with remote production and rental solutions for global broadcasters, production companies and live event organisers. The team can also offer specialist camera solutions, housing the latest Gravity Media innovation cameras trusted by content creators around the world, from handheld wireless cameras and in-sport on-boards, through to POV cameras, RF facilities and helicopter links.

The Manchester offering will also be able to utilise the Gravity Media’s impressive OB truck, Pictor – the ultra-efficient, multi-functional broadcast vehicle which can fit up to 16 fixed cameras and seat a crew of eight and is designed to support both traditional and remote workflows”.

Frank Callaghan, Gravity Media – Director of Production & Content, comments: “This is a really exciting moment for our Manchester operation. Since we opened our original premises in the North, we’ve worked on some great projects including the 2019 Women’s World Cup for the BBC, as well as forging close relationships with the likes of Manchester City and Everton football clubs. Moving into the heart of the city is the next step of that journey, and we look forward to offering the region a state-of-the-art facility to come and work from, and be a part of”.

We’re delighted to join the historic base of Quay Street and the vibrant media community developing there,” says Nick Symes, Gravity Media – Director of Technology, “With our strong technical pedigree and well-established experience of complex live, fast turnaround and post production workflows we very much look forward to working with both established and new clients to provide the innovative solutions they need.”

The new Manchester-based Production Centre follows several recent high-profile Gravity Media hires that all bolster the company’s ongoing global expansion. These include: Sean Seamer as President of US operations, Martin Turner as Executive Producer and Bruno Senna as Motorsport Ambassador.

The new location joins Gravity Media’s current global Production Centres in London, Sydney, Melbourne and San Francisco. BCS Bureau