Category: ‘MediaCityUK’
Global HD cable supplier opens a new office at MediaCityUK
Argosy, a leading international distributor of HD broadcast cables and studio infrastructure products, has become the latest company to open an office within The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK.
Established in 1984, Argosy has branches across the world and is renowned as a ‘one-stop- shop’ for end users and system integrators.
Specialising primarily within the broadcast and media industries, Argosy will stock and supply a range of HD infrastructure products including a collection of video, audio and power cables within their new warehouse facility at The Pie Factory.
Bob Clark, Sales Director at Argosy said, “We are happy to be opening a new facility at MediaCityUK, as it plays an increasingly important role within the growth of the UK’s television and broadcast industry. By supplying locally held stock at The Pie Factory, we will provide an enhanced service and support to existing and new customers throughout the region”.
Stephen Wild, Director of Real Estate for MediaCityUK “We are delighted to welcome Argosy to the ever growing community here at the PieFactory, MediaCityUK. They join a great blend of creative companies and we believe they will be a great addition to the thriving media hub we’re creating here on Salford Quays”.
Formerly a food production line, The Pie Factory was created in 2007 by MediaCityUK developers Peel Media and now accommodates three sound stages ranging from 3,000sq ft to 6,800 sq ft and a choice of office accommodation. It also incorporates a costume department, make-up rooms, dressing rooms and green rooms together with 24/7 security and parking.
Argosy join twenty-five other media-related companies at the now fully occupied Pie Factory.
MediaCityUK based casting agency, Red Door Management, has successfully casted a lead role in hit Nickelodeon show, House of Anubis.
Nineteen-year-old Brad Kavanagh, from Whitehaven, is due to appear on the small screen in February in House of Anubis, which airs with an hour-long special on Friday 25th February at 5pm and then every weekday from Monday 28th February at 5pm throughout March.
The former St Benedict’s RC High School pupil plays thoughtful, gentle, intelligent boy-next-door Fabian in the show, which is set in a spooky traditional English boarding school, Anubis House. Brad becomes the closest ally of lead character Nina Martin (Nathalie Ramos) as the pair try to understand the spooky goings on at the school, rumoured to be haunted.
Brad first found his passion for performing and acting at the age of six when he began singing lessons and joined a local children’s theatre group.
Brad has worked extensively in children’s TV across the UK and worldwide. He was also chosen from thousands of hopefuls to play Billy Elliot’s best friend, Michael, in the original cast of the popular West End production and featured on the original cast recording of the show.
Like the character of Fabian, Brad has a natural thirst for knowledge. He is self-taught on the drums, piano, guitar and bass and loves to write and record his own songs in his spare time.
Brad recently travelled to New York to take part in a series of press conferences for House of Anubis and was faced with a 90-ft high poster of himself in the centre of Times Square.
“The whole thing has been totally unreal, but I’m absolutely loving it! I’ve always had a passion for performing but never thought I would be starring in a brand new TV show,” Brad enthused.
“The show has gone down a treat in America and Italy, plus it will also air in Australia; it’s amazing. Who’d have thought a teenager from Cumbria would be starring on the TV all over the world?!
“My family have been great and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them – I can’t wait for them to see the show.”
Brad got the audition for House of Anubis through Manchester-based casting agency, Red Door Management who signed him up in 2004. He is managed personally by Tracey Bell, who owns the business and has represented Brad since day one.
“I met Brad seven years ago and knew there was something special about him – just look at him now! He’s such a star and is an absolute delight to work with. He’s so down to earth and so passionate about performing, I know he’ll go far,” Tracey said.
“I’m keen to work in conjunction with an international agent to help raise Brad’s profile in America and have already had quite a few calls from agents to the stars who saw him on House of Anubis.”
Combining mystery, comedy and drama, House of Anubis is a brand new serial from Nickelodeon, launching exclusively on the channel with an hour-long special on Friday 25th February at 5pm. The show will then screen a new episode each weeknight at 5pm for five weeks.
Red Door and sister company, Scream Management, which are based at The Pie Factory, MediaCityUK, are on the lookout for new talent. To find out more please visit www.the-reddoor.co.uk or call 0161 425 6495.
The Pie Factory and MediaCityUK sponsor the under-17s Swinton football club and we’re glad to hear they’ve made it into the semi-finals. Well done!
Visit their website here
Peel Media announced today that Andy Waters is to join the MediaCityUK senior management team as Head of Studios.
Andy is one of a team of Resource Managers currently responsible for delivering business for BBC Studios and Post Production. His 20 years of experience has been concentrated in the TV studio environment, having started his career at Limehouse Studios before moving to the BBC.
He has enormous experience in working with many of the country’s leading independent production companies, BBC Entertainment and ITV Studios. Throughout this time, Andy has been supporting programme makers in making some of the largest and most complex of studio productions.
Sinead Greenaway, chief executive of Peel Media, said today: “We’re delighted that Andy Waters is joining us as Head of Studios. This is a key appointment for MediaCityUK and Andy’s vast experience at both the BBC and with the commercial sector, will be a great asset to our team as we move towards studio operational mode by the end of 2010.”
Andy Waters said on his appointment: “I’m excited to be involved in this fantastic opportunity to create a 21st century studio facility at Salford Quays where content producers can make their shows the best they can possibly be. I’m looking forward to working at MediaCityUK, an innovative and vibrant hub, where programmes will be at the heart of what we do.”
The Studios at MediaCityUK
Owned and operated by Peel Media, the studio block will include seven high definition television studios, two audio studios (one dedicated to the BBC Philharmonic), and a technical block featuring: fully equipped sound and vision control rooms; core post facilities; CTA (central technical area); dressing rooms; make-up rooms; workshops; set storage; and green rooms.
Breakdown of studio sizes:
- Studio 1, ground floor: 7,646 sq ft (710.3 sq m)
- Studio 2, ground floor: 4,550 sq ft (422.7 sq m)
- Studio 3, ground floor: 6,283 sq ft (583.7 sq m)
- Studio 4, first floor: 1,615 sq ft (150 sq m)
- Studio 5, first floor: 983 sq ft (91.3 sq m)
- Studio 6, ground floor: 12,543 sq ft (1,165.3 sq m)
- Studio 7, first floor: 983 sq ft (91.3 sq m)
- Philharmonic studio, ground floor: 6,339 sq ft (588.9 sq m)
- Multi-purpose audio studio: 1,850 sq ft (171.9 sq m)
The studio block will also house the Open Centre – a split level reception area featuring a bar, cafés and an information point. In addition, productions are ongoing at The Pie Factory, next door to the main development. The Pie Factory, owned by Peel Media, celebrated its third birthday in January and is already home to twenty businesses offering an array of services from camera and lighting hire to casting, design and IT solutions.
Phase one of MediaCityUK is scheduled for completion in 2011, when BBC North establishes its new headquarters and the University of Salford opens a new higher education centre.
The Pie Factory, 101 Broadway, Salford, Manchester, M50 2EQ. T: 0161 660 3600
