On Thursday June 10th, three girls from Royal Docks
Community School were treated to a day out at the world-famous Pinewood Studios
on the outskirts of London, England. They were greeted by Julia Hillsdon, Head
of Marketing at the studio, who gave them a tour of the mansion building
originally known as Heatherden Hall, which the studios have been built around.
Julia took them through the picture gallery and explained the studio’s
illustrious history, films made there, and the many famous stars that have
walked its corridors during the past 50 years or so.
This was followed by a tour of the vast garden area, this time
given by Dave Worrall, co-publisher of Cinema Retro magazine, who explained to
the girls how the gardens were used in various James Bond and other major films
over the years, including Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang, the Hammer Horrors and Harry
Potter. This was followed by a very interesting tour of Technicolor. Hosted
by Chris Smith, the girls were given an overview of how the laboratory
operates, including a preview of their new 3D technology in their luxury
screening room.