Locations

Suggested locations

Working without a script and a general idea of locations for the films, I have searched through the KentFilm directory as we are going to shoot in Kent. I have put together a document for the director to go through and see which ones she likes and finds suited for the films. From this she will then tell me what she likes, and I will then email KentFilm office enquiring prices etc...

Locations file

On my laptop I had separated them into folders for each story so we knew which locations were suited for what story so we didn't get confused.

On a bigger budget there would be a location manager who scouts the locations and lease with the councils for permits and if the locations are private they would lease with owners.

Location Manager

Location managers are the ones who identify suitable locations for the film shoots. They source locations and are good negotiators with terms, fees and permissions and they manage the location during the shoot. They must have extensive knowledge of health and safety when they scout locations, and a wide knowledge in film production as they have to think about how suitable the location is for a shoot. Such as access to plugs, available lighting, safe escape route in case of fire hazards, how controllable the location is so they know how much security they need on the shoot etc...

'They have to negotiate the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise reduction, power sources, catering requirements and any official permissions that may be needed. They often use a photographic storyboard to illustrate their findings back in the production office.' - CreativeSkillSet.org

They set up location recess in pre-production where the head of departments go to look at the locations so they have an idea of the space.

Location recce with HOD's on My Best Friends Wedding (2015)

The image above is us on location recce for a scene in the London Eye with the Location Manager, DOP, Director, Directors Assistant, American Producer, UK Producer, Assistant Director and Art Director. Here they are discussing which angles to shoot. The Art Director suggests covering the logos in the pod, DOP is looking at which way the sun is coming up and moving, producers listening to discussions incase they need to organise something in advance.

During the production they are the first to arrive and last to leave so they know all cast and crew have left the location so they can check locations are left as it was when the crew first arrived before locking up. If there are any damages they report this to the production team where they will deal with insurance claims.

Emails to KentFilm

After Hannah looked through the locations, she gave me a list of the places she was interested in and from that I emailed KentFilm about the locations. Whilst writing in regards to prices most private places require a payment. The locations we had chosen were all private, which means looking for public places to film.

We began to look closer to home. Had some suggestions in mind such as the magical store Salamanders in Maidstone town centre as the bookstore for the protecting nature film and asking friends for the warlocks house.

We decided to look at some public woods such as shore woods and ashen bank for locations.

Protecting nature 

Visiting Salamanders

Hannah and I went to Maidstone town centre to visit Salamanders store. We approached the assistants and asked for the owner/manager of the store. We explained that we would like to film a scene in their store and needed to talk to the manager about it. 

The assistants told us the manager was away but to keep in contact. We asked for their contact details, but they told us to write to them through their Facebook page. 

After a couple of weeks we followed up and went back into the store to speak to the manager. We explained the situation and managed to get the location for the film. The manager was happy to help but weren't allowed to close the store for the shoot. Problems arising will be waiting for customers to leave the store.

We took down the managers contact details, and dates which they were less busy so we could arrange to shoot on a not so busy day to reduce the risk of wasting time waiting on a customer to leave.

Ranch Location 

We have found a location perfect for Elliots Home. It is a ranch with a cabin which is already set up with props and a bed perfect for the scenes we need to shoot.

Ouija Borad scene

Death Scene when Elliott falls asleep

Emailed the ranch and waiting for a reply. In the meantime, we have also emailed Museum of Kent Life which also has a house that we could film in. Unfortunately, for Elliotts home it is quite distinctive, so it has been hard to think of friends and family who has a home similar to this.

Lenham Cottage

Petts Farmhouse

Opening ur options whilst waiting for a reply will give us more opportunity for a location to film.

Location Recce at Shorne Wood, suggestions and changes in script

I have recently been to Shorne Wood country park for walks, and as I had seen some locations in the park which was distinctive, I thought it would be interesting to film there. The location is public but is run by the council. I decided to take Hannah there to do a recce and we found some positive locations for use of 2 films. The Devourers and Protecting Nature.

Nymphs Chillout

We have found a perfect location where we could vision the Nymph sitting where she will be lying and blending into the tree as if she belongs to nature.
Health and safety : Up a slight hill and our actress has some medical conditions, the hill is not at such a height where she can hurt herself. Wearing suitable footwear and careful walking could prevent slipping. 
Level of risk - Low

The Devourers

The Devourers Hangout 

The Devourers Hangout

We saw this place and thought this location would be amazing of the devourers. 

Creative Change in script as a Producer - Originally Hannah wanted the devourers to be seen in their home, but as the profile of their home is expensive looking, it means looking at private places which would be costly. So I suggested why they have to be in their homes? and why not hang out in the outdoors? This will save us from having to spend more money, planning more days shooting for more locations. If most of the film can be shot here in this woods we could also build a reputation with the people looking after the park.

This tree looked interesting as it lays on the side. We could vision both brother and sister hanging out waiting around by this tree. The tree looks unusual in the middle of the area and it is rather large. Suiting the theme of the production.
Health and Safety: The only risk of health and safety are splinters when the actors are sitting on the tree and risk of falling off the tree. We cannot prevent the risk of splinters but as the actress will be lying on the tree, her body will be spread out for extra balance and there will be not much movement.
Level of Risk: Low

Chase scene 1

Chase scene 2

Chase scene 3

All these locations look different from each other but we can vision the devourers chasing the victim as if running for a long time. I really like the location in scene 3 because the way the trees are growing is quite creepy and unusual almost a creepy fairytale set up. I can imagine when editing the colours it would be dark, blue which sets a creepy mood and environment ready for the feeding of the victim.
Health and Safety: These scenes will be chase scenes where the cast are running. This means there is a risk of them tripping and falling. To prevent the risk of tripping on obstacles, before the shoot, I will ask the director where she wants to see the actors running and I clear the path where they will be running by picking up and pieces of rock, fallen branches, anything that is a potential trip hazard.

Level of Risk: Medium

Asking advice from Guy Allon about locations and getting them for free if possible. His reply is the same as Kent Film.

'If the locations are exterior then dependant on how long you need to film you can normally get it for free - speak with the owner or supervisor and explain you're students doing a project. Interior locations may require some money'

So upon requesting filming at Shorne woods they charge £50 per day and the meeting room I wanted to use for the unit base costs £300 per day. I replied to Shorne Woods and asked them for a discounted price for the unit base which they still have not replied to about. They are happy to let us film there as long as we send them a risk assessment, tell them how we are going to control the public and show proof of Public Liability Insurance.

Cursed Beauty

Asking friends for Warlock location

I have a friend who had an interesting room which I suggested for the warlocks home where Stephanie collects her potion. The room is full of jars with herbs and spices which looks similar to the shop in The craft (1996).

Although the room is small we can film 2 characters in the room and the rest of the shots will be montage of the warlocks hand mixing the potion together. This means we will not need many people there for the shoot.