Monday 29 April 2013

Save Bray Studios on Facebook

The Save Bray Studios had a lively and informative group on Facebook, with over 3300 members.

Unfortunately, we've had a fair bit of spam on the group (some well meaning), and the privacy options and way Facebook handles group invitations leaves a lot to be desired. I don't want to be accused of spamming anyone, so I'm changing the group to a page. There is no easy way to do this, so all of our members will have to 'like' the new page.

However, it should be much easier to share information and attract new supporters to the group (we can simplify our URL too), so please if haven't alreadt, pop along to the page and 'like'.

www.facebook.com/savebraystudios

Sunday 28 April 2013

New Petition for the Save Bray Studios Campaign

Along with the renewed interest in the campaign to save the historic Bray Film Studios near Windsor, a new attempt is being made to create awareness at the widest possible level.

Our Facebook group has well over 3000 members, but simply not everyone is or wants to be on Facebook. One of the campaign activists has prepared a electronic Petition to supplement the campaign.

Whether you are part of that group or not, please take time to sign the online Petition for the campaign.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savebraystudiospetition/

The petition states:

SAVE BRAY STUDIOS NOW 

Bray Studios is part of our great cultural history with the Main house dating back to the 1600’s and later our cinema legacy.
We intend to preserve it.
The iconic Bray Studios, home of Hammer Horror films, the early roots of the Special Effects  
and classic movies in Britain and the cherished venue for top British musicians and rock bands is under threat of being turned into 7 “executive homes”.
The entire site consisting of studios, sound stages, workshops and backlot with the heritage Grade II listed Main House has been deliberately run into the ground, in order to keep business out and declare the property unviable and unprofitable in order to push through planning permission. 
We have a comprehensive list of eminent directors, producers, musicians and rock stars, who wanted to book stage space and were turned away with the excuse that the studio was fully booked.
The British Film Industry, the Music Industry NEED YOUR SUPORT
 Please help us by signing this petition and sending letters of support to Save Bray Studios Facebook page these will be presented to government bodies,
Thank you. 

Mail on Sunday - Save Bray Article

The campaign to Save Bray Studios isn't through yet. While planning permission was granted last year for the redevelopment, the campaign has been quietly building momentum again and is making renewed attempts to bring the plight of the complex to the attention of the world once more. A number of key figures in the film and entertainment industry are weighing in.

Redevelopment could be imminent. We simply don't know when the bulldozers will be brought in (possibly sooner than later).

The Mail On Sunday have published an article today on the threat to the studio. While very centred on the Hammer history (Hammer/Exclusive founded the studio, and are very much back in vogue, so it makes good sense), it also indicates the campaign has the support of Richard O'Brien (whose cult film Rocky Horror Picture Show was shot at the studio) and Terry Gilliam (Monty Python, The Fisher King, The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus) who has also used the studio.

You can read the article for yourself here: http://bit.ly/1891IQP