At Windsor Auctions, we’re always on the lookout for ways to improve our marketing and showcase the unique items that pass through our doors.

That’s why we’re excited to share an incredible new opportunity for local businesses in the area, courtesy of Windsor College.

Thanks to a substantial government grant, Windsor College has recently invested in a new studio, designed for both Virtual Production and traditional stills and motion photography. The best part? These state-of-the-art facilities are available for use by local businesses.

We recently sat down with David Linaker, the new studio manager at Windsor College, to learn more about the studio and how it can benefit businesses like ours.

 

A World-Class Studio Right on Our Doorstep

 

With a £750,000 grant from the government, Windsor College has created a Virtual Production hub that rivals some of the best in the industry.

According to David, the studio is only second to Pinewood Studios in terms of capabilities. “We have a five-metre by three-metre LED screen housed within our photographic and filming studio, along with a high-end cinematography camera called a Red Raptor,” David explained. “This setup allows us to do a variety of filming techniques that we can teach our students, making it a massive bonus for Windsor College.”

What makes this studio truly special is its versatility. The LED screen allows for virtual backgrounds, meaning businesses can shoot in a variety of ‘locations’ without ever leaving the studio.

Whether it’s the streets of Paris, the skyline of Berlin, or the iconic landmarks of London, these backgrounds can be easily swapped out during a single day’s shoot. This not only saves time and money but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of production, a benefit for businesses and the environment alike.

 

A Win-Win for Local Businesses and Students

 

One of the key aspects of this initiative is that it’s designed to benefit both local businesses and Windsor College students. As part of the funding criteria, the college must offer these facilities to local enterprises, providing them with access to top-tier production capabilities that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

For Windsor Auctions, this means we’ll be able to have high-quality photos and videos of our auction items taken by the studio’s talented students.

These images will be invaluable for our marketing efforts, helping us to better showcase the items we have available for auction.

But, it’s not just about the technical benefits; it’s also about community collaboration. “The students will be involved in these projects, giving them real-world experience by working with actual clients like Windsor Auctions,” David said.

 

Uplifting Local Business Marketing

 

Beyond the immediate benefits for Windsor Auctions, the studio offers a wealth of opportunities for other local businesses. David mentioned that the college is already in talks with Hygge Bikes, a company that manufactures and distributes electric bicycles, to produce promotional material. The studio’s capabilities are perfect for creating high-impact social media content, advertising, and more.

“There’s no reason why we couldn’t even do live broadcasts from our premises,” David suggested, hinting at the possibility of live-streaming future Windsor Auctions events directly from the studio. “We could make Windsor Auctions’ own broadcasts much more engaging, with customisable virtual backgrounds showcasing everything from diamond jewellery to antique vehicles.”

 

How to Get Involved

 

If you’re a local business looking to elevate your marketing efforts, Windsor College’s new studio could be the perfect solution. The combination of advanced technology, skilled students, and a focus on sustainability offers a unique opportunity that’s hard to pass up.

“We’re reaching out to local businesses like Windsor Auctions to make sure they know about these facilities and how they can benefit from them,” David said. The college is keen to support the local economy by offering these resources, so whether you need high-quality product photos, promotional videos, or even live-streaming services, this studio has you covered.

At Windsor Auctions, we’re excited to be among the first to take advantage of this opportunity, and we encourage other local businesses to explore how these facilities can add to their marketing efforts.

For more information, feel free to contact us or reach out directly to Windsor College. Let’s make the most of this fantastic new resource in our community!