Video Production in Brighton
With its coastal charm, creative buzz, and long-standing ties to the visual arts, Brighton has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most film-friendly cities. For video producers, photographers, and content creators, it offers the perfect blend of location variety, local talent, and support infrastructure — including our very own Production Van Brighton, designed to keep shoots running smoothly.
A Creative Hub on the South Coast
Brighton isn’t just a pretty seaside town — it’s a thriving creative hub with a strong presence in the video, television, and photography industries. From fashion editorials and indie music videos to branded content and commercial productions, Brighton caters to all scales of creative work. The city’s narrow lanes, bold street art, Regency architecture, and pebbled beach all provide striking visual backdrops within a single postcode.
Its proximity to London — just over an hour by train — means crews can access the capital’s talent and equipment while enjoying lower costs, more space, and a laid-back production environment.
Brighton’s Place in Film History
Not many know that Brighton played a crucial role in the early history of film. In fact, it’s often called the **birthplace of British cinema**.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, two pioneering filmmakers — George Albert Smith and James Williamson — operated out of Hove and Brighton. They were part of the “Brighton School,” a group of experimental filmmakers who laid the foundations for modern editing, close-ups, and narrative storytelling. Their groundbreaking work between 1896 and 1910 contributed directly to the evolution of cinema techniques still used today.
Smith, for example, is credited with creating the first use of a cut-in close-up in his film As Seen Through a Telescope (1900). Williamson’s Attack on a China Mission (1900) is considered one of the first narrative action sequences ever filmed.
Today, this cinematic legacy lives on in Brighton’s vibrant video and film community. The city regularly hosts screenings, festivals, and film education programmes — a testament to its ongoing passion for the moving image.
Photography Roots and Coastal Light
Brighton also has a long relationship with still photography. Its seaside location has always attracted portrait photographers and artists, drawn to the dramatic natural light and expressive skies. In more recent decades, Brighton has become a hotbed for documentary photography and fashion editorials, with locations like the Palace Pier, Brighton Pavilion, and the beach huts at Hove Lagoon frequently appearing in high-end campaigns and magazines.
With two universities offering photography and visual arts degrees, there’s a continual flow of new talent working across editorial, commercial and fine art projects — making Brighton an inspiring and collaborative place to create visual content.
Supporting Productions On the Ground
Producing content on location always comes with its challenges, but in Brighton, those are made easier thanks to a local ecosystem that understands production needs. From hire studios and camera rental houses to post-production specialists and crew databases, Brighton offers everything you’d expect from a much bigger city.
And for shoots happening on the move, our Production Van provides a perfect base. With onboard power, dressing space, makeup facilities, and seating for your crew and talent, it keeps your team comfortable, connected, and ready to roll — wherever your story takes you.
Planning a Shoot in Brighton?
If you’re planning a video shoot or photography session in Brighton or the wider Sussex area, we’d love to support you. Our production van is tailored to the needs of small-to-mid-sized teams who need flexibility, privacy, and professional facilities on set. Whether you’re filming in the Lanes or setting up on the cliffs of Saltdean, we’ve got your crew covered.
Get in touch to check availability or request a quote. We’re proud to be part of Brighton’s creative landscape — and we’re here to help make your next shoot a success.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 0777 077 1234
Production Van Brighton – Supporting Film, TV & Photography Shoots Across Sussex