The Brighton Film School And Brighton Film Studios For Sale

Business description

Established in 1998, The Brighton Film School, building on the close association the city of Brighton has with films and film making is one of the UK’s leading centres for learning the art of film making. Occupying very well suited leased premises which also includes studio facilities frequently in demand from production companies and which in itself offers students the opportunity to gain very real hands on experience, the school has expanded greatly over recent years and now attracts students from all over the world and of all ages.

This business offers a wide range of courses to meet every aspect of film making. Courses are structured not only to ensure that all the necessary content is covered with ample opportunity for practical applications but also to fit in with the budgets and time students may have to devote to their film making interests. As a result the school appeals to a wide cross section of students from those committed to film making as a career for which the full time One-Year ABFS Diploma Course in Motion Picture Production might appeal through to three-month short courses in Motion Picture Production requiring one full day or two evenings per week, the latter not being held at the moment due to the present owner’s other interests, but could be run by a new owner.

These part time day or evening courses are ideal for those who perhaps already have a day job but want to hone their skills in their chosen interest but are unable to commit themselves in either time or money to the more advanced One Year Course.

The school also runs a very popular Summer School – a full time three week course, again covering all aspects of film making, and ideal for those looking to fit it into a holiday slot or before going on to University in September after their A Levels.

Very recently the School has linked up with the University of Greenwich who offer an MSc in Cinematography and Post Production - normally a two year post grad course aimed specifically at those wishing to work in the film industry, In recognition of the School’s very high standard, Greenwich reduce this to just one year for those who have successfully completed the One Year Course.

As well as its close links with Greenwich University, the School is a member of both the UK and American federations of film schools: The National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) and the University Film and Video Associations (UFVA), and through them the international federation of film schools Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et Télévision (cilect) . Due to the Owner’s own industry affiliations and reputation of the Film School, students also, upon completion, obtain student membership of the Directors’ Guild of Great Britain and The Moving Image Society (the film industry’s technical guild). The latter also has an Education Committee to oversee film schools’ standards. The present Owner is a Fellow of the Moving Image Society and Chairman of its South East Branch.

The Film School’s excellent facilities include a small Stage with professional lights (Kino Flo, HMI etc), camera equipment (S35mm, S16mm, HDV), a production office with professional software (Avid), a makeup and costume room and a fully-fitted location vehicle.

The cornerstone to the success of this business, and what underlines its sterling reputation throughout the industry, is that all lecturers are practitioners rather than academics and all courses are run to a level approved by leading companies within the industry. This, combined with opportunities to put learning into practice with leading production companies, ensures students are best equipped with the right skills, expertise and experience to secure a job in what is an extremely competitive marketplace. Consequently the business benefits from a steady stream of students for all its courses – all keen to get a first step on the ladder for the career of their choice through a course run by an industry backed organisation.

This business has a superb industry-wide reputation and excellent growth and expansion prospects. With course fees of approximately £83,000, this is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the leading independent Schools in the UK specialising in the art of film making.

Key strengths:

This business has been developed into a leading name within its sector. It benefits from high levels of awareness and enjoys the respect and admiration of its peers in the industry. Within its market it has built an international reputation for excellence at all levels. It has an excellent complement of teaching staff and is able to call upon some leading names, partly because many top professionals live within a radius and are keen to visit, and also because the One Year students attend monthly industry lunches where guest speakers include some very well-known names.

In all areas – facilities, equipment, course content, lecturers (practitioners rather than academics) and the myriad of opportunities enable students to put theory into practice. This business is widely acknowledged as a leading independent in the UK. It simply teaches what the film industry wants – a student to emerge from a course with a showreel of their achievements and abilities rather than a mere certificate.

This business can demonstrate the very highest credentials as witnessed by its recent link with Greenwich University and its joint delivery of a course resulting in an MSc level qualification together with its membership of the various federations of film schools, NAHEMI, UFVA and CILECT. The Film School is also recognised by the Education Committee of the Moving Image Society and is an Educational Member of the Directors’ Guild. By offering a wide range of training courses to students of all nationalities – and its rare combination of a Film School with a studio facility all under one roof, its client base is quite varied and its business activity consistent throughout the year.

Based in Brighton, a city with a tradition in film making and with a highly skilled local pool of talent to call upon, this business is ideally located. Just a 50 minute train service from London Victoria plus both Gatwick airport and the Newhaven ferry service nearby, this business is easily accessible from both home and abroad. The premises are also conveniently situated at the junction of the three main roads which serve Brighton including the M23 and M27. In the centre of a city with a student tradition and large student population all the facilities and amenities a student could want are readily available, including the famous 100 year-old Duke of York Cinema on the adjacent block.

Key opportunities:

There is an outstanding opportunity to build on the existing business levels and client base of this company as the present Owner has other interests in the film industry so not able to give this his complete attention. With a strong demand for this business's services, combined with a capacity to increase turnover, a new owner contributing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and motivation will have every advantage of building on an excellent platform.

Whilst the business is currently operated at a reasonably high level of efficiency, the current Owner believes that there is significant scope to broaden the range of courses available: Art Direction, Stage Makeup, CGI and Screenwriting, for example, are much sought-after, and these would vastly improve the utilisation rate of the current facilities by adding both further day and evening courses. With the greatest proportion of costs in the business being the fixed overhead of the building and the ability to pull in freelance lecturers as and when required, this would significantly impact on turnover and profitability.

There would be no problem in accommodating increased student numbers with the property offering the potential for significant expansion of capacity, especially if ot

Property information

Property:

Leasehold

Lease terms:

Originally secured on a three year lease in December 2003, the current Rent is £17,496pa with Rates payable (2009/2010) of £4,210pa. Service charges are £5,621pa.

Location:

This business moved to its current ‘Gothic style’ premises at The Brighton Forum in Ditchling Road, Brighton in 2004 to cope with the sustained growth the business had achieved since opening. Very well suited and including a Lecture Room, a Studio which enjoys high ceilings – ideal for sets, an Edit Suite, a Production Office, Admin office and Kitchen facilities the premises comprise 1620 square feet in all. The Brighton Forum (previously known as The Brighton Business Centre) is a substantial building, so expansion is possible for a new owner as and when other units within fall vacant.

Originally secured on a three year lease in December 2003, the current Rent is £17,496pa with Rates payable (2009/2010) of £4,210pa. Service charges are £5,621pa. The current Owner of the business has an excellent relationship with the Landlord and has every confidence that a new lease can be secured on the existing premises for a new Owner of the business. The relationship with the local council is also excellent and this is shown by receiving an ex-gratia 50% rates discount. If the Brighton Film School Ltd is raised from the status of a Company Limited by Guarantee to a Registered Charity then the rates discount would be increased to 80%.

Other information

Competition / Market:

With an excellent industry wide reputation and high levels of awareness, this business has little need of extensive investment in marketing and advertising. Its links with Greenwich University and major industry-wide organisations such as The National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) are important marketing tools and give students the confidence in the capabilities of the business to deliver results. The business has an on-going presence in the trade press and a substantial website which is easy to navigate, including an online application form and payment facility. This performs very well in all major search engines for appropriate search topics. By far the most cost effective form of marketing this business enjoys, however, is strong word of mouth recommendation: Testimony to the esteem with which this business is held.

Support & training:

The Vendor can be available if required after the sale to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new Owners and would be happy to continue as a Guest Lecturer, into the future, as appropriate. The present Owner’s personal reputation within the industry, as both a film voting member of BAFTA and its EU equivalent, The European Film Academy, may also be of future use to a new owner.

Reasons for selling:

Having run the business for over ten years, the current Owner feels the time is right to pass the School and Studio on to new Owners to build on the excellent foundations already laid which will enable him to pursue other interests within the film industry.