The London Film Museum, located in County Hall, South London, showcases the British film industry with exhibits on costumes, set construction, and special effects. Founded in 2008 by Jonathan Sands, the museum features exhibitions on Ray Harryhausen, Charlie Chaplin, and Harry Potter. The museum charges an entry fee to fund workshops and community events, and a second location was announced in Covent Garden in 2011.
The London Film Museum, formerly the Movieum, is a museum in South London dedicated to the British film industry. Located in County Hall, the museum highlights all aspects of the film industry, from costumes to set construction and special effects. The museum comprises approximately 35,000 square feet (approximately 3,252 sq m) of the first floor of County Hall. Jonathan Sands, a still photographer who also stages and promotes attractions, founded the London Film Museum in February 2008. Past exhibitions include a retrospective of special effects artist Ray Harryhausen, the life and films of the actor and Londoner Charlie Chaplin, and props and costumes from the Harry Potter film series.
This museum was founded on the heels of the success of Sands’ “Star Wars: The Exhibition” event at County Hall. This exhibit was in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars film. Once the event closed in January 2008, Sands negotiated a 25-year lease on the same space and moved his personal collection of props, costumes and other film-related memorabilia into the hall. About 80% of the London Film Museum’s collection comes from Sands’ private archives, with the remaining pieces being lent by third-party studios or collectors.
Shortly after opening the London Film Museum, Sands teamed up with Rick Senat, a former senior executive at Warner Brothers. Together they formed an advisory board for the museum that included scholars and film industry representatives. The panel changed the museum’s name from Movieum to the London Film Museum and began fostering partnerships with studios, actors and foundations. Industry partners include Twentieth Century Fox, Lucasfilm and the British Film Institute. Prop and armor maker Terry English also lends pieces to the museum.
Visitors to the London Film Museum can learn about how films are made, how sets are built and the history of film and film studios. An exhibit of Ray Harryhausen’s work featured creatures from the special effects artist’s collection. The life and films of Londoner and actor Charlie Chaplin and a giant Tyrannosaurus rex were also exhibited. Visitors can explore models, props and costumes from their favorite films and can even pose in some of the sets.
This is a family-friendly, self-contained museum that charges an entry fee to cover expenses. Education is an important aspect of the London Film Museum’s mission, and admission fees help fund filmmaking and drawing workshops as well as community events. One such event was to mark the release of the latest Harry Potter film in 2011. Visitors could film themselves in costume in front of a green screen set, participate in live duels, and explore costumes and props from the films. The London Film Museum is so popular that a second Covent Garden location was announced in 2011.
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