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Behind the Scenes: How Facilities by ADF Support Film & HETV Production
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on our Platinum Partners, Facilities by ADF. Below, we’re excited to share a specially commissioned case study showcasing their collaboration on Guy Ritchie’s forthcoming Young Sherlock, demonstrating how they provided adaptable, high-quality support to the production team.
We’re also delighted to announce an ‘Ask the Expert’ online session, with the chance to ask questions of the Facilities by ADF team, including Marsden Proctor (CEO), James Long (COO) and Lee Doran (Account Manager). This session will take place on Wednesday 30th April at 1pm, and is free and exclusive for PGGB Members and Partners – sign up now via this link, and read on for more!
The Role of Facilities in TV & Film Production
High-end television and film production relies on seamless coordination between various teams, both on and off-screen. Facilities providers like Facilities by ADF are essential to keeping productions running smoothly, ensuring that the right facilities are delivered exactly when and where they’re needed.
With an extensive fleet of over 700+ specialist vehicles and bases across South Wales, London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Scotland, Facilities by ADF supports the diverse needs of cast and crew throughout the production process. This case study takes an inside look at our collaboration on Young Sherlock, demonstrating how we provided adaptable, high-quality support to the production team.
Setting the Stage: Planning & Preparation
Every successful production begins with early discussions between facilities providers and production teams. Strong relationships and a deep understanding of the industry means that many productions, including Young Sherlock, trust Facilities by ADF to provide tailored solutions that meet their specific requirements. Once a request is received, we work closely with the production team to develop a structured plan. This includes defining budgets, refining requirements, and ensuring the right mix of facilities is available. With this framework in place, our logistics and planning teams, alongside a dedicated account manager, begin coordinating vehicle movements, site setups, and overall logistics.
For Young Sherlock, this planning phase was particularly crucial, as the shoot spanned multiple UK locations – including Seren Studios, Oxford, Somerset, Bristol, and South Wales – before moving to Spain for a six-week international leg. Our goal was to ensure that every transition between locations was executed with precision, avoiding disruption to the filming schedule.
“I found Facilities by ADF to be a real partner on Young Sherlock, always working with us to find ways to support the production and ensuring we never encountered any issues with our unit moves, whether domestically or internationally. Jerry and the team were, as always, wonderful and went the extra mile to help.”
The Journey: Supporting Young Sherlock from Start to Finish
Over the course of the 27-week shoot, Facilities by ADF facilitated 31 moves, ensuring that all trailers and equipment were in place ahead of each filming schedule. Adaptability is at the core of our service. Productions are dynamic, with shifting schedules, evolving requirements, and unexpected challenges. Our team remained flexible, making real-time adjustments, whether responding to last-minute base relocations or sending additional trailers to accommodate the production’s needs. Before deployment, our team worked closely with production to configure racking and storage solutions specific to the vehicles required. Customisation requests were swiftly relayed to our workshops in Bridgend and Longcross, where modifications were made. Before each move, rigorous kit and vehicle checks were carried out to maintain the highest standards.
To support this production, we supplied a range of our facilities, including expandable production offices, artiste trailers in various sizes, large-scale makeup and costume trailers, and technical trucks. To further sustainability efforts, a Stage 5 generator was provided, reducing emissions while delivering reliable power on set. These are just a few examples of the kit supplied.
A Partner You Can Rely On
From initial planning to on-the-ground execution, Facilities by ADF provided adaptable, high-quality support throughout the Young Sherlock production. By integrating seamlessly with the production team, we ensured that every move, setup, and logistical challenge was managed with efficiency and precision.
With experience across countless high-end TV and film productions, Facilities by ADF continues to set the industry standard for facilities provision. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering exceptional service for every production we support.
Published on April 17th, 2025