In a major riverside site, where soapworks once thrived and ships were manufactured by steam driven machines, the industrial past of the old Tate and Lyle Sugar Refinery has been revived by London’s soon to be coolest film and photography studios and event space.
Located on Morden Wharf, close to both the flourishing design district and Greenwich town centre, Sugar Studios is situated in the industrial past, but a reflection of what is soon to be a live and work area amidst ongoing developments. It offers a homely, accommodating environment from the quirky warehouse to the many props built and housed by its sister company, MDM Props Limited who are located next door and founded the Studios in response to demand from its theatrical clients.
The women led team at Sugar Studios pride themselves on an impeccable service, well-kept studios and flexibility and aim to meet any brief requiring studio space. The whole concept has been mindfully curated to adapt to all areas of events, production, theatre, film, music videos, dance rehearsals and photography. There is free parking on site and an in house catering food truck (retrieved from a layby in Wales) called Sugar Café, renowned for its toasties and homemade brownies.
Available spaces for hire and how clients have made use of their spaces:
The Infinity Stage – W: 12.8m/L: 11.5m/H: 9.2m. This drive-in studio is perfect if you need a larger cove and a little more space for crew and kit. With an upstairs mezzanine for styling, client viewing or office space, the infinity has been used to shoot a variety of works and mainly attracts ad campaigns, music videos, fashion shoots and editorials. Now with an electric grid to ensure that pre-light and take down can happen quickly.
Clients using this space range from record labels such as Sony Music, Island Records, Universal & Warner. To BMW, Agile Films, Untold Studios, and 4th Floor Creative. Fashion and editorial clients such as Locate Productions, Mujer Hoy, Richard James and Dazed Editorial have featured campaigns shot in this studio. Also, popular for YouTubers shooting videos such as Calfreezy, WillNE and Callux.
Examples of the way this studio has been utilised
An acoustic music video for The Brits ‘Rising Stars’ 2023 winners ‘Flo’ with Sony Music. Video can be found here.
Netty Hurley’s short film ‘Walking Women’ for Dazed Digital – A project about liberating women of all body types from the stifling gaze of the media. Video can be found here.
Project for fashion brand Nike, produced by Locate Productions and partnering with the creative team at AKQA.
Brave Spark’s first TV Ad for AvaTrade featuring Usain Bolt.
The White / Blackbox Studio – W: 5.9m/L: 8m/H: 5.2m. This studio offers a smaller white cove or use the blackout curtains to create your own black box, which also help reduce sound bleed. Sugar Studios offer a variety of coloramas for purchase to further transform this space. Suits smaller shoots requiring less space and smaller crew. Perfect for editorials / stills / corporate as well as videography where a reduced size fits the brief. To best utilize the space, Sugar Studios are happy to help with kit hire from their local partners including kit boxes as agreed on a project by project bases to avoid additional costs and unnecessary equipment hire.
Clients have included Lucky Number Music, Intergalactic Studios, DMB Represents, Viva Creative, Pinch London & Hidden Agency. This space is also popular with influencers and content creators to shoot.
Some examples of the way this studio has been utilised
Rina Sawayama editorial shoot for Nylon Mag with DMB Represents – photographed by Alex De Mora.
Kids campaign for fashion brand Schuh, produced by Hidden Agency. Video here.
Jose Cuervo shot an AD for the worlds first washing machine designed to mix margarita’s – produced by This Is Cow. Video here.
The Green Screen – W: 5.9m/L: 8m/H: 4.3m. A beautifully kept greenscreen studio for CGI and VR content. Also perfect for gaming. When shooting on location is not an option, we’ll help bring the outdoors indoors.
Some clients include Channel 4, Kurupt FM, Pias, Pulse Films, JM Films & Fashion brands Christopher Kane & Adidas.
Some examples of the way this studio has been utilised
A cartoon bedroom set was created for rapper V.I.C music video ‘The Best Part’. Project ‘ Bedroom Chronicles’ produced by Sony Music. Video can be found here.
AW22 editorial shoot and video for Christopher Kane. Video can be found here.
Absolute Vodka teamed up with fashion icons Tayce, Chet Lo, Catty Tay & Leanne Elliot Young (Institute Digital Fashion). Produced by Agile Films. Video can be found here. Article also featured in Dazed.
The Big Space – W: 12.9m/L: 21m/H: 7.8m. This space is most frequently hired for full scale theatre productions and dance rehearsals, music videos production and ad campaigns where larger or multiple sets are required. The space boasts a sprung floor and is a fantastic size with 7.8m in ceiling height, and the ability to rig from the structural beams. This space has become popular for acrobatics, circus performances, stunts and flying rigs. The space also comes with 2 x kitchenettes, a mezzanine lounge, separate production office / wardrobe, and its own toilets and shower, providing everything you need in one space.
Clients who have rehearsed here are The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Circus 1903, Cosi Fan Tutte for Garsington Opera 2022 festival & 2:22 A Ghost Story staring Cheryl Cole.
Some examples of the way this studio has been utilised
Dior at Harrods takeover to celebrate the ‘Fabulous World Of Dior’. An installation of glittering lights produced by MDM Props & designed for the Dior Cruise 2023 collection by Maria Graziachiuri.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Rehearsals.
Sugar Studios would love to show you around and welcome you with our hugely popular toasties and fresh coffees. But for those who can’t make it this time around, here’s a sneak peak for you: Sugar Studios Virtual Tour.
Sugar Studios have recruited a new team and now, with a full complement of staff, are keen to let their secret out and to celebrate this, are offering a 20% discount for any bookings made before 31st March which take place during 2023 using the code GBKS20.
