The Convergent Media Production National Lab will bring together advanced computing power, creative tools and production technologies to support the future of AI-driven screen and live performance in the UK.
Creative Technology will provide the audio-visual and technical services for the new R&D Lab, working with CoSTAR and its partners to deliver a fully IP-native media production system. The facility is being designed to support a wide range of users across the creative industries, from academic researchers and production teams to technology partners and content creators.
With global experience across film, broadcast, studio, live event and immersive projects, CT brings the systems integration, technical delivery, project management and operational support needed to deliver complex production environments at scale.
Professor Ade Woolard, Interim Director and Director of Technology, CoSTAR National Lab, said:
“We are delighted to work with Creative Technology to deliver the CoSTAR National Lab. Their proven expertise in delivering world-class technical solutions will be instrumental in establishing a pioneering environment for innovation, collaboration and experimentation. This innovative collaboration with Creative Technology is a significant step in ensuring the National Lab provides the advanced infrastructure, technical support and expertise needed to jointly empower the UK’s creative industries and support the next generation of creative breakthroughs.”
The CoSTAR Stage will feature a large modular LED wall and floor, high-end projection mapping, advanced motion tracking and close integration with CoSTAR’s AI compute infrastructure. The system will also bring together SMPTE ST 2110 media networking, private 5G connectivity and advanced AI edge compute, creating a flexible platform for testing, prototyping and developing new production workflows.
For CT, the project brings together several areas of expertise in one environment: live production, broadcast systems, studio infrastructure, immersive technology and future-facing media workflows. The result will be a space that can adapt to different creative and technical requirements, while giving users access to reliable, production-grade technology.
Alistair Brierley, Account Manager, Creative Technology Systems Integration, said:
“We are thrilled about our partnership with CoSTAR on the new R&D stage at Pinewood Studios. This project has placed the latest technology at its core, giving Creative Technology the opportunity to put forward innovative, industry-leading recommendations, ensuring the stage is equipped with the most advanced and fit-for-purpose technology to meet every use case.
We look forward to working closely with CoSTAR to help shape a space that truly empowers the UK’s creative industries and inspires the next generation of storytellers and innovators.”
Tom Burford, Director of Technical Delivery, Creative Technology, added:
“This project is exactly the kind of work I’m genuinely excited about, building something that’s not just fit for today but really designed for what’s coming next. From the outset, there’s been a real shared ambition across the CoSTAR team to push boundaries and create something genuinely forward-looking.
We’re bringing together the very highest-end, field-proven technology, systems that are trusted for rock-solid delivery on the world’s most demanding productions, and combining that with an architecture that gives the National Lab real room to grow, evolve and support new creative workflows as they emerge.
Working with the CoSTAR team has been a real highlight; it’s a great group of people who are all invested in getting this right. I’m really looking forward to getting the system up and running, seeing the first projects come through the space later this year, and continuing to develop the collaboration as the Lab evolves.”
The CoSTAR National Lab is the flagship of a nationwide network of creative R&D Labs. It will give academic researchers and industry partners a space to test, trial and refine new approaches to media production across film, television, live performance, immersive media and gaming.
Creative Technology will continue working with CoSTAR and its partners as the facility develops ahead of its opening later in 2026.
